a. 
Consideration for Such Areas.
The applicant shall give consideration to suitable and adequate sites for schools, parks, playgrounds, and other areas for public use or service so as to conform with the recommendations contained in the City’s Comprehensive Plan (as amended), including the Park Master Plan, and other applicable plans. Any provision for parks or other public facilities shall be approved by the City Council prior to approval of the Preliminary Plat by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
(Ordinance 06-117, sec. 2, adopted 9/26/06)
a. 
All creeks and drainage channels shall be preserved and protected in their natural condition wherever possible, unless significant storm drainage improvements are required by the City in these areas. All development adjacent to creeks and drainage channels shall be in accordance with the City’s Standard Design Manual, and with any other City policies or ordinances related to aesthetics or public access or enjoyment of creeks and waterways.
b. 
Definitions and Methodology for Determining the Floodway Management Area (FMA).
The definitions for “floodway” and “floodway fringe” shall correspond to those set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
1. 
For the purposes of this Ordinance, the Floodway Management Area (FMA) will correspond to the floodway, as defined by FEMA, or as may be modified pursuant to a flood study that is approved by FEMA.
2. 
For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the concept of a floodway is used as a tool to assist the local community in the aspect of floodplain management. Under this concept, the area of the 100-year flood is divided into a floodway and floodway fringe. The floodway is the channel of a stream plus any adjacent floodplain areas that must be kept free of encroachment in order that the 100-year flood may be carried without substantial increases in flood heights as defined by FEMA. The area between the floodway and boundary of the 100-year flood is termed the floodway fringe. The floodway fringe is the area which can be reclaimed for development in accordance with rules and regulations established by FEMA and the City’s Floodplain Management Ordinance.
c. 
Areas Where an FMA is Required.
The FMA is intended to apply to a creek or channel which is to remain open or in its natural condition unless otherwise approved by the City. Long Branch Creek, Cedar Creek, East Caddo Creek, Mustang Branch Creek, Farber Creek, Cowleech Fork of the Sabine River, Mullany Creek, Turtle Creek, McGrew Creek, and Town Branch Creek and their related tributaries and streams and all other drainage areas or regulated floodways as referenced on the applicable floodway and flood boundary map (Flood Insurance Rate Map, or FIRM) shall be included in the FMA.
1. 
If FEMA does not specify a floodway zone in any of the creeks or their tributaries, it shall be the developer’s responsibility to establish and identify the FMA. The determination shall be made by a licensed professional engineer and approved by the City Engineer.
2. 
Where improvements to a drainage area are required by other ordinances of the City for the purpose of safety or other reasons related to drainage, those ordinances shall also be observed.
3. 
The creek shall remain in its natural state unless improvements are permitted or required by the City due to the pending development of properties adjacent to or upstream of the required improvements.
d. 
Ownership and Maintenance of the FMA.
1. 
The area determined to be the FMA shall be designated on the Preliminary Plat. Accurate locations of the FMA, both horizontally and vertically, shall be established on the Preliminary Plat and prior to site construction. At the City’s option, the FMA shall be protected by one of the following methods:
(a) 
Dedicated to the City of Greenville subject to prior approval by the City Council per Section 4.1(a).
(b) 
As easement(s) – Creeks or drainageways on tracts which have private maintenance provisions, can be designated as the FMA by an easement to the City on the Preliminary Plat (with the appropriate plat language, as required by the City). Subdivisions with platted single-family or two-family lots may designate the FMA by easement provided there are adequate maintenance provisions (such as by a mandatory homeowners association), but no lots or portions of lots may be platted in the easement unless specifically allowed by the City. The area designated as FMA may be identified by a tract number.
(c) 
Certain recreational uses normally associated with or adjacent to flood-prone areas (no structures allowed in the FMA), such as golf courses or certain types of parks. The uses allowed shall be in conformance with the Zoning Ordinance, if the subdivision is located within the City, and shall be approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
2. 
Prior to acceptance of any drainageway as an FMA by the City, the area shall be cleared of all debris and brush (except for trees) and placed in a maintainable state. Floodway management areas dedicated to the City shall be left in a natural state except those areas designated for active recreational purposes and unless storm drainage requirements do not permit this to occur.
e. 
Design Criteria.
The following design criteria shall be required for development adjacent to the FMA (also see Figure 4 on the following page):[1]
1. 
Adequate access shall be provided to and along the FMA for public and/or private maintenance. An unobstructed area a minimum of twenty feet (20') wide with a maximum 5:1 slope (five feet horizontal to one foot vertical), the length of the floodway shall be provided adjacent to or within the FMA. On the opposite side of the drainage area, an unobstructed area a minimum of five feet (5') in width shall be provided. If ownership is to the centerline of the drainage channel, then the subdivider shall only be required to provide adequate access to one (1) side.
2. 
Lots in a single-family, PD single-family, or duplex residential zoning district shall not be platted within the FMA.
(a) 
If lots back or side onto an FMA, at least two (2) reasonable points of access to the FMA, each a minimum of twenty feet (20') in width, shall be provided. Streets, alleys and open-ended cul-de-sacs may qualify as access points if designed such that they are navigable by maintenance vehicles (e.g., alleys must be twenty-foot width).
(b) 
All areas of the FMA shall be accessible from the access points.
3. 
Lots used for multifamily dwellings may be platted in the FMA if the FMA is identified as an easement and is maintained as open space for use by the residents, and provided that access to the FMA is possible by City maintenance vehicles, should that need arise.
4. 
If the FMA is to be public park land, then adequate public access and good public visibility shall also be provided to all portions of it.
5. 
Public streets may be approved in the FMA by the City (if they conform to applicable engineering standards).
6. 
Linear public streets may be required to be constructed adjacent to some (or all) portions of the FMA to allow access for maintenance or recreational opportunities, and/or to allow increased visibility into creek areas for public safety and security purposes.
7. 
Alternate designs to facilitate equal or better access may be permitted if approved by the City.
[1]
Editor’s note–Figure 4 was not included in Ordinance 06-117
f. 
Altered Drainage Channels.
Drainage channels which have been previously altered and are not in a natural condition can be exempted from an FMA and this Section at the discretion of the Planning & Zoning Commission and upon recommendation by the City Staff.
(Ordinance 06-117, sec. 2, adopted 9/26/06)
a. 
Applicability.
When a subdivision contains either common property or other improvements which are not intended to be dedicated to the City of Greenville for public use, such as private streets or screening walls, a private recreation facility or open space, landscaped entry features or other private amenities, a property owners or homeowners association agreement, consistent with State and other appropriate laws, must be submitted to and approved by the City Attorney.
1. 
The Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CCRs) and the association documents, such as the articles of incorporation and association bylaws, shall be submitted to the City for review and approval along with the Preliminary Plat application, and shall be filed of record at the County prior to Final Plat approval in order to ensure that there is an entity in place for long-term maintenance of these improvements.
2. 
Said documents must, at a minimum, include provisions which allow the City to take over the maintenance of common property using association funds, including private streets and private recreation facilities, if such action becomes necessary for any reason, including nonperformance or inaction by the association or the association becoming defunct.
(a) 
Provisions shall also be included which would convey ownership of the private streets (if any) and all other common areas to the City, and which would allow the City to remove any improvements or amenities from the common areas and sell any buildable land area, as residential lots, to recoup the City’s expenses for maintenance or demolition of the improvements.
(b) 
Any monies that remain after the City has recovered all of its expenses shall be retained for future maintenance or upgrading of the streets, common areas (if any remain), screening walls, or other improvements within the subdivision.
(c) 
These provisions are not intended to allow the City to profit in any way from taking over the association’s responsibilities or funds; they are only intended to allow the City to recoup its actual incurred expenses such that the general public, the taxpayers of the City, does not have to bear these costs.
b. 
Membership.
A property owners or homeowners association shall be an incorporated nonprofit organization operating under recorded land agreements through which:
1. 
Each lot owner within the described land area is automatically a mandatory member; and
2. 
Each lot is automatically subject to a charge for a proportionate share of the expenses for the property owners or homeowners association’s activities, such as maintenance of common open spaces or private streets, or the provision and upkeep of common recreational facilities.
c. 
Legal Requirements.
In order to ensure the establishment of a proper property owners or homeowners association, including its financing, and the rights and responsibilities of the property or home owners in relation to the use, management and ownership of common property, the plat, dedication documents, covenants, and other recorded legal agreements must:
1. 
Legally create an automatic membership, nonprofit property owners or homeowners association;
2. 
Place title to the common property in the property owners or homeowners association, or give definite assurance that it automatically will be so placed within a reasonable, definite time;
3. 
Appropriately limit the uses of the common property;
4. 
Give each lot owner the right to the use and enjoyment of the common property;
5. 
Place responsibility for operation and maintenance of the common property in the property owners or homeowners association;
6. 
Place an association charge on each lot in a manner which will both ensure sufficient association funds and which will provide adequate safeguards for the lot owners against undesirable high charges;
7. 
Give each lot owner voting rights in the association; and
8. 
Identify land area within the association’s jurisdiction including the following:
(a) 
Property to be transferred to public agencies;
(b) 
The individual residential lots;
(c) 
The common properties to be transferred by the developer to the property owners or homeowners association; and
(d) 
Other parcels.
9. 
Any governmental authority or agency, including the City and the County, their agents, and employees, shall have the right of immediate access to the common elements at all times if necessary for the preservation of public health, safety and welfare. Should the property owners or homeowners association fail to maintain the common elements to City specifications for an unreasonable time, not to exceed ninety (90) days after written request to do so, then the City shall have the same right, power and authority to enforce the association’s rules and to levy assessments necessary to maintain the common elements. The City may elect to exercise the rights and powers of the property owners or homeowners association or its Board, or to take any action required and levy any assessment that the property owners or homeowners association might have taken, either in the name of the property owners or homeowners association or otherwise, to cover the cost of maintenance (or the possible demolition, if such becomes necessary to preserve public safety or to ease maintenance burden) of any common elements.
10. 
The property owners or homeowners association must register a contact person with the Community Development Department and shall notify the City of any change in said contact person. Such contact person must be authorized to receive and distribute information to the Board of Directors of the property owners or homeowners association.
d. 
Protective Covenants.
Protective covenants shall be developed which, among other things, shall make the property owners or homeowners association responsible for the following:
1. 
The maintenance and operation of all common property;
2. 
The enforcement of all other covenants;
3. 
The administration of architectural controls (if included); and
4. 
Certain specified maintenance of exterior improvements of individual properties (if included).
The City is not responsible (i.e., has no jurisdiction) for enforcing protective covenants or deed restrictions.
e. 
The association may not be dissolved without the prior written consent of the City Council.
f. 
No portion of the association documents pertaining to the maintenance of screening walls, private streets and alleys, and assessments therefore [therefor], may be amended without the written consent of the City Council.
(Ordinance 06-117, sec. 2, adopted 9/26/06)
(a) 
Purpose of Article.
(1) 
The City of Greenville needs neighborhood, community, regional, greenbelt and central parks due to population increases in the City from residential development which creates a specific demand for parks of various sizes. This section is enacted in accordance with the Home Rule powers of the City of Greenville, granted under the Texas Constitution and statutes of the State of Texas, including, without limitation, Texas Local Government Code, Section 51.071 et seq. and Section 212.001 et seq.
(2) 
Requirements.
This will apply to all residential development located within the city and shall be required to provide for the parkland needs of future residents through the fee simple dedication of suitable land for park and recreation purposes.
A. 
The requirements contained in this section are intended for the purpose of assuring open space and community park facilities are available and adequate to meet the needs created by such development while maintaining current and proposed park and recreation standards pursuant to the City of Greenville Park and Recreation Open Space Master Plan.
B. 
Park Districts will be created to outline the area in which fees are to be applied in relationship to the area of development or construction as seen in Table 2 [to Ordinance 20-069].
(3) 
Methodology & Fee Policy.
The Parkland Dedication and Park Development Methodology fee chart will be visited and updated annually during the budget adoption process. The formulas and current fees can be seen in Table 1 [appendix A, section A4.4].
(4) 
Park Land Dedication Policy.
It is the policy of the City of Greenville that a Park Land Dedication is hereby imposed on any residential development.
(5) 
Fee-In-Lieu of Land Policy.
Fee in Lieu of land fees will be determined at the time of initial plat application. Any Fee-In-Lieu of monies required to be paid by this article shall be in an amount equal to the value of the property as established by the most recent certified market value appraisal of all or part of the property made by the Hunt County Appraisal District. If the Developer/Owner objects to the appraisal, the Developer/Owner at his own expense, may obtain a market value appraisal by a State of Texas certified real estate appraiser, mutually agreed upon by the City and the Developer/Owner.
(6) 
Park Development Policy.
It is the policy of the City of Greenville that a Park Development Fee is hereby imposed on any and all residential development, and all fees collected shall be used for the purpose of acquisition, improvement and development of parks in the district of development.
(7) 
Consideration of Areas for Public Use.
The applicant shall consider suitable sites for parks, playgrounds, and other areas for public use to conform with the recommendations of the City’s Park Master Plan. Any provision for parks and public open space areas shall be indicated on the Preliminary Plat and shall be subject to review by the Director, the City’s Board of Parks and Recreation and any other city staff that needed to make a final determination.
(b) 
Park Land Dedication.
(1) 
Park Land Dedication
as outlined in this section shall apply to any development. Determination will be based on current parks level of service and will be classified as Single Family or Multifamily. This includes developments that consists of new construction on vacant land or rebuilding of structures on existing residential property.
(2) 
Necessary Procedure.
It is hereby declared by the City Council of the City of Greenville that recreational areas, in the form of neighborhood, community, regional, greenbelt and central parks and related amenities and improvements, are necessary and in the public welfare. The only adequate procedure to provide for this is by integrating such a requirement into the procedure for planning and developing property of a residential subdivision in the City of Greenville.
(c) 
General Requirement: Dedication of Land.
(1) 
Dedication of Land Based on Dwelling Units.
Prior to a plat being filed with the County Clerk of Hunt County, Texas for a development of a residential area within the City of Greenville and in accordance with City ordinances, such plat shall contain a clear fee simple dedication of acreage of land. As used in this ordinance, a “dwelling unit” means each individual residence, including individual residences in a multifamily structure, designed, and/or intended for inhabitation by a single family.
(2) 
Neighborhood parks
are parks five to ten (5-10) acres and provides basic outdoor recreational opportunities and within convenient distances from the residences to be served thereby, the standards for which are set forth in the Greenville Parks Master Plan. The neighborhood parks shown on the official Greenville Parks Master Plan shall be prima facie evidence that any park located therein is within but not limited to such a convenient distance from most residences to be served thereby. The cost of the neighborhood parks should be borne by the ultimate residential property owners who, by reason of the proximity of their property to such parks, shall be the primary beneficiaries of such facilities. Therefore, the following requirements are adopted to affect [effect] such purposes.
A. 
Impractical Size.
The City Council of the City of Greenville declares that development of an area of less than five (5) acres for neighborhood park purposes is impractical. Therefore, if fewer than 270 dwelling units are proposed by a plat filed for approval, the City Council may require the developer to pay the applicable cash in lieu of land amount, as provided in Subsection D below.
B. 
Desirable Land Dedication
would include but not be limited to, park land easily accessible to the public, that enhances the visual character of the City, and minimizes conflict with adjacent land uses. Consideration will be given to land that is in the floodplain if it is suitable for park improvements.
1. 
The dedicated land desired shall be well drained, relatively level in areas that are proposed for active park uses and shall be suitable for appropriate recreational and leisure activities as defined as a neighborhood park.
2. 
Areas having environmentally sensitive ecosystems, attractive views, topographical interests, or unique natural features shall be preferred and encouraged for park land dedication.
3. 
Each park must have ready access to a public street.
4. 
Any areas of unusual topography or slope which renders same unusable for organized recreational activities
5. 
Areas which are relatively featureless, barren of natural trees, and vegetative cover, and which are not physically attractive in some other way, may not be typically acceptable
(3) 
Proposed Plat Submittal.
Proposed plats submitted to the City of Greenville for approval shall show the area proposed to be dedicated under this section. The required land dedication of this Section may be met by a payment in lieu of land where permitted by the City of Greenville or required by other provisions in this ordinance.
A. 
Any Preliminary Plat approved prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall be exempt from these requirements set forth herein; however, if and when such Preliminary Plat approval expires, any resubmission of such plat shall meet all other provisions in this ordinance.
B. 
Any proposed plat submitted to the City of Greenville for approval shall show the area proposed to be dedicated under this section. The required land dedication of this Section may be met by a payment in lieu of land where permitted by the City of Greenville or required by other provisions in this ordinance.
(4) 
Right to Accept, Reject or Require Payment.
In instances where land is required to be dedicated, the City of Greenville shall have the right to accept or reject the dedication to require a cash payment in lieu of land in the amount provided herein, if the City of Greenville determines that sufficient park area is already in the public domain for the area of the proposed development, or if the recreation potential for that area would be better served by expanding or improving existing parks in the park district.
(5) 
Siting of Parks.
When two (2) or more developments will be necessary to create a neighborhood or community park of sufficient size in the same area, the Director of Parks and Recreation, at the time of Preliminary Plat approval, will work with the developers to define the optimum location of the required dedication within the respective plats. Once a park site has been determined, adjacent property owners who develop around the park site shall dedicate land and cash to the existing site unless otherwise determined by the City Council.
(6) 
Minimum Park Improvements.
In cases where land dedication is chosen, the following minimum criteria must be adhered to by the developer, at the developer expense, prior to acceptance of the improvements by the city:
A. 
Grading and clearing of unwanted vegetation, to be determined by the city.
B. 
Installation of subgrade drainage. No open drainage channels will be permitted on land being dedicated for park purposes.
C. 
Provision of water and sewer service to the site; and
D. 
Provision of adequate accessibility from the adjacent public street in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and as approved by the city park and recreation staff.
(7) 
Drainage Areas
may be accepted as part of a park if the channel is to remain, in its natural state or constructed in accordance with City engineering standards, and if:
A. 
No significant area of the park is cut off from access by such channel,
B. 
The dedication is more than ten (10) acres, not more than fifty percent (50%) of the site should be included in the 100-year floodplain.
(8) 
Detention basins
which are required as part of the stormwater management standards shall not qualify as parkland unless 75% or more of the active and usable area is designed for recreational use and the area(s) conforms to the requirements below.
A. 
Detention areas shall not be inundated to be unusable for their designated recreational purposes. Detention areas must be designed to drain within 24 hours.
B. 
Detention areas shall be constructed of natural materials. Terracing, berming and contouring is required to naturalize and enhance the aesthetics of the basin. Basin slopes shall not exceed a three to one (3:1) slope.
C. 
Detention areas may count a maximum of 50% of the park dedication requirement.
(d) 
Fee in Lieu of Land.
(1) 
Requirement.
All residential development is responsible for land dedication under this ordinance shall be required to meet the dedication requirements in whole or in part by a cash payment in lieu of land, in the amount set forth below. Such payment in lieu of land shall be made prior to the issuance of a building permit. Where no building permit is required, the fee shall be paid prior to final plat approval.
(2) 
Fee.
The cash payment in lieu of land dedication shall be determined at the time of initial plat application. Any Fee-In-Lieu of monies required to be paid by this article shall be in an amount equal to the value of the property as established by the most recent certified market value appraisal of all or part of the property made by the Hunt County Appraisal District.
(3) 
City Purchase of Land.
The City of Greenville may from time to time decide to purchase land for parks in or near the area of actual or potential development. If the City does purchase park land in a park service area, subsequent park land dedications for that park district and shall be in cash only, the calculation of which is set forth above. (Such cash payment is in addition to the payment of the required park development fee.)
(e) 
Use of Park Land Fee In Lieu of.
Cash in Lieu of Land money received will be applied to the development of neighborhood, community, regional, greenbelt and central parks for that area.
(1) 
Acquisition and Development.
Fees collected shall be used for the purpose of acquisition and development of community parks and existing park facilities intended for use and access by the entire City.
(2) 
Site Preparation.
Fees collected may be used for site preparation, the extension of utilities to or within sites, the installation of landscaping, play equipment, or recreation improvements and attendant engineering and planning costs associated with such park development.
(3) 
All Expenditures of fees collected shall be made in accordance with the Parks Master Plan and those expenditures over $50,000.00 shall be approved by the City Council to best benefit the citizens of Greenville.
(f) 
Option to Construct.
At the discretion of the City, In lieu of payment of the required park development fee for developments a developer shall have the option to request approval to construct the park amenities and improvements.
(1) 
All plans and specifications for the construction of such amenities and improvements must adhere to all city construction and design standards, be reviewed, and be approved by the parks and recreation director, city engineer, or applicable designees.
(2) 
The developer shall financially guarantee the construction of the amenities and improvements, and the City of Greenville must approve same, prior to the filing of a plat in the case of platted subdivisions.
(3) 
Once the amenities and improvements are constructed, and after the conveyed entity has accepted such amenities and improvements, the developer shall dedicate by plat such amenities and improvements to the appropriate entity.
(4) 
The City of Greenville may allow the open space and park and recreational areas to be restricted to the use and enjoyment of residents of a development or subdivision. Such areas shall be maintained by and deeded to a homeowners’ association, or a trustee. The homeowners are liable for the payment of maintenance fees and capital assessments, unpaid homeowners’ fees and assessments could result in a lien on the property of the delinquent homeowners.
(g) 
Credit for Option to Construct.
If a developer has requested and received permission to exercise the option to construct a private or public park the city shall offer a proportional credit.
(1) 
A developer shall reserve a proportional credit, as determined by the director, for the development or improvement of a private park or recreational facility based on the lower of: (a) out-of-pocket dollar costs that the developer incurs for the development or improvement; or (b) the actual value of the development or improvement itself, as determined by the director, which shall be based on documentation provided by the developer and any other publicly-available documents, and be derived through commercially-reasonable standards. The value of the private amenities will be deducted from the cost of the public parkland dedication that the developer would otherwise be required to pay.
(2) 
If developer wishes to utilize this credit, it shall submit an application with a proposal to the director for pre-approval, and director will approve or deny the application, or seek additional information, in writing and within a reasonable time. If developer’s application is denied, developer may appeal to the City Manager within 30 days of the director’s written decision, or the director’s decision becomes final. Such appeal must be made in writing, and state the reasons for the appeal. If such an appeal is timely made, the City Manager will approve or deny the application, or seek additional information, in writing and within a reasonable time. If developer’s appeal is denied, developer may appeal to the City Council within 30 days of the City Manager’s written decision, or the City Manager’s decision becomes final. Such appeal must be made in writing, and state the reasons for the appeal. If such an appeal is timely made, the City Council will approve or deny the application, or seek additional information, in writing and within a reasonable time. The City Council’s decision is final, and may not appealed.
(h) 
Park Development Fee.
(1) 
For all Development: regardless of number of dwelling units within the City of Greenville, there shall be a park development fee on a per dwelling unit basis as a condition of plat approval. This fee consists of the park development fee and shall be used for the purpose of development and construction of neighborhood, community, regional, greenbelt and central parks within the area of development and is not to be used for maintenance purposes. This does not apply to activities involving the remodeling, rehabilitation, or other improvements to an existing residential structure, or to the rebuilding of a damaged structure.
(2) 
Two fee Component: The Park Development Fee shall be applied to the following parks in the appropriate district:
A. 
Neighborhood Parks
B. 
Community Parks
(3) 
Fee’s shall be set annually by ordinance of the City Council and shall be sufficient to provide for the development of amenities and improvements on the dedicated land to meet the standards for a neighborhood, community, regional, greenbelt and central parks to serve the area in which the subdivision is located. Unless and until changed by an ordinance amendment of the City Council of the City of Greenville.
(4) 
City Match - To the extent allowed by law the city would agree to match all park development fees to be capped at one (1) penny on the tax rate.
(i) 
Special Fund Established; Right to Refund.
(1) 
Park Development Fund.
There is hereby established as a special fund for the deposit of all funds collected by this dedication process. Funds will be deposited in the City of Greenville’s Park Development Fund. The City will ensure that they are applied to the appropriate accounts and deposited in the park district of the proposed development.
(2) 
Park Development Fee Expenditure.
Park Development Fees collected in the first year will not be allocated until the third (3rd) fiscal year thereafter. First fiscal year will be collection, second fiscal year will be planning and design, third fiscal year will be allocation and development.
(3) 
Fee Reference to Plats.
The City of Greenville shall account for all sums paid into the Park Development Fund with reference to the individual plats involved.
(4) 
Expended Within 10 Years or Refunded.
Any monies paid into the said Fund must be expended by the City of Greenville within ten (10) years from the date received by the City. Such funds shall be spent on a first in, first out basis in the park service area designated for that development. If not so expended within the ten (10) year period, the owners of the property will, on the last day of such period, be eligible for a refund based on unbuilt dwelling units and may not exceed the unspent amount. Exceptions include:
A. 
The current owners of the property within the subdivision who failed to request such a refund within one (1) year of entitlement, in writing, or such right is waived.
B. 
The monies deposited were fully expensed.
C. 
A developer completes 50% or more of the development.
(j) 
Ownership.
Required parkland and any other common open space or area must be owned and maintained by one of the following entities:
(1) 
City of Greenville.
Publicly dedicated parkland shall be owned and maintained by the City of Greenville.
(2) 
Land Conservancy or Land Trust.
A land conservancy or land trust with legal authority as determined by the City Attorney may own the open space. The responsibility for maintaining the open space and any facilities may be borne by a land conservancy or land trust.
(3) 
Homeowners’ Association.
A homeowners’ association representing residents of the development may own the open space. The homeowners’ association must have lien authority to ensure the collection of dues from all members. The responsibility for maintaining the open space and any facilities is borne by the homeowners’ association.
(4) 
Public Easement.
Privately held open space shall be made permanently open to the public through an easement dedicated to the public and approved by the City Attorney.
(k) 
Conveyance.
The conveyance of parkland or other common open space shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) 
Conveyance.
Parkland or open space shall be conveyed to the City, land conservancy or homeowners’ association in fee simple without any encumbrances except drainage, greenway, and utility easements. Title to the real property shall be conveyed upon the recordation of the plat.
(2) 
Designation.
Parkland or open space shall be designated on the final plat and included in a separate lot, or multiple lots and include the following:
A. 
A statement on the plat indicating the conveyance or dedication of parkland or open space; and
B. 
The acreage of the land included in the dedication.
(l) 
Dissolution.
If the homeowner’s association is dissolved, the open space may be offered to another entity who shall be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the open space. If no other offer is accepted, the open space shall be offered to the City and if accepted, deeded to the City.
(Ordinance 20-069 adopted 9/22/20)