§ 13-60. Required open space criteria for planned development residential

(a) The required open space shall be land areas that are not occupied by buildings, structures, parking areas, driveways, streets or alleys. Landscaped roof areas or decks may not be calculated as part of the required open space, except as allowed in the North Costa Mesa Specific Plan. The open space shall be devoted to landscaping, preservation of natural features, patios and recreational areas and facilities.

(b) At least fifty (50) per cent of the required open space shall be designed for the common use of the residents of the planned development, except for small-lot, single-family development. In projects consisting of small-lot single-family common interest developments resulting in fewer than twelve (12) units, the required perimeter landscape buffer required in Table 13-58 shall be the only open space required to be designed for common use. Additional common open space may be provided in the interior of such projects if such open space enhances the overall project design. The remaining required open space shall be equally provided to each dwelling unit.

(c) In projects consisting of small-lot, single-family subdivisions resulting in twelve (12) or more units, the required open space shall consist of the perimeter landscape buffer required in Table 13-58 and a common recreational open space area in the interior of the project to provide recreational facilities for children.

(d) Common open space may be distributed throughout the planned development and need not be in a single large area.

(e) All or part of the area required may be provided in the common open space for multiple-story apartments or common interest developments where dwelling units have no ground floor access, or where for other reasons the planning commission finds that the provision of all or part of the required private open space in the aforementioned manner is impractical or undesirable. In such cases, each dwelling unit above the first floor shall be provided with patio or deck area of not less than one hundred (100) square feet. The required area may be provided in one (1) or more patios or decks. In such cases, each dwelling unit shall be provided with a private patio or deck with no dimension less than five (5) feet.

(f) Landscape parkways with a combined width of ten (10) feet, but not less than three (3) feet on one (1) side, shall be provided along the sides of interior private streets and/or common driveways. The parkway on the house side of private streets or common driveways shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in width.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 01-16, §§ 1.o., 1.p., 6-18-01; Ord. No. 05-14, § 1e., 11-1-05 ; Ord. No. 07-2, § 1i., 2-6-07 )