A.
Purpose.
(1)
This article sets forth standards to promote the sense of identity, image and value creation that can result from the provision of high-quality
usable open spaces
and trails that are integrated into new development which provide for neighborhood gathering and recreation in a safe, comfortable, walkable
environment; and natural resource protection, including the use of green infrastructure to manage stormwater and reduce flooding concerns. These standards encourage the best location, usefulness and improvement of neighborhood usable open space
.(2)
Open space, as defined in adopted City plans, is undeveloped or minimally developed land that can be publicly and privately owned and serves such purposes as recreational parks and trails, protection of steep slopes, scenic viewpoints, water bodies and waterway protection, floodplain protection, agricultural use, forests and urban forest, and preservation of historic and archeological sites. Open space protection is included in the Kingston 2025 Comprehensive Plan and the Open Space Plan. This article is specific to
usable open space
integrated into new development. The standards of this section could also be used as guidelines to inform improvements to existing and future publicly owned open spaces
.B.
Applicability. The provisions of this article apply to new development in all Transect Zones.
Standards.
C.
Required
usable open space
.(1)
At least 10% of the gross area of a
site
5,000 square feet or greater that includes residential development will be comprised of usable open space
. This shall include large sites
designed as a Conservation Village Plan (CVP) or Walkable Neighborhood Plan (WNP) as defined in Article 7. Residential developments of three or fewer units are exempt from this requirement.(2)
Required
usable open space
shall meet the description of one or more of the usable open space
types (See § 405-24D.), and will meet the design standards of § 405-24C(2).(3)
Required
private open space
per building type (§ 405-12) is included as part of the 10% minimum required usable open space
.(4)
Landscaped trails through a development may count toward the
usable open space
requirement.(5)
A roof space may be substituted for ground
usable open space
, provided that such space is available and accessible to all residents of any building(s)
on the site
by means of access other than stairs.(6)
Steep slopes, waterways, or otherwise inaccessible natural areas utilized for required
usable open space
may apply up to half of the 10% minimum through a minor waiver
. (See § 405-26F.)(7)
A reduction in the amount of required
usable open space
may be approved as a major waiver
for sites
with restrictive lot dimensions or physical constraints.D.
Usable open space
design standards. Usable open spaces
(excluding steep slopes, waterways, or otherwise inaccessible natural areas) shall meet the following design standards:(1)
Usable open space
will be maintained and include amenities such as shade and landscaping; benches and trash receptacles shall be provided for all spaces 2,000 square feet and greater.(2)
Required
usable open space
will include at least 20% shade through the preservation or planting of trees or construction of structures that provide shade. Usable shade will be calculated based on the diameter of the mature tree canopy and the square footage of the shade structure overhead. It is preferred that trees be used in place of shade structures when feasible. Tree species selection should reference available guidance from the Kingston Tree Commission.(3)
Required
usable open space
should not be fenced (excluding playgrounds
and community gardens).E.
Open space types and required dimensions.
(1)
Open space types and dimensions.
(a)
Usable open spaces
(excluding steep slopes, waterways, or otherwise inaccessible natural areas) shall adhere to the descriptions and dimensions in Table 405.24.D.1. These types and dimensions can also be used as guidelines to inform improvements to existing and future publicly owned open space
.Table 405.24.D.1 Open Space Types and Dimensions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Space Types | Descriptions | Size Requirements | Public Street Access | |
Park |  | A park is a natural landscape available for unstructured recreation. A park does not need to be fronted by buildings. Its landscape shall consist of paths and trails, meadows, water bodies, woodland, recreational fields, and open shelters, all naturalistically disposed. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged. Parks are often irregularly shaped but may be linear in order to parallel creeks or other corridors. Parks are typically located in T1, T2, and T3 Transect Zones. | Area: 2 acres minimum | n/a |
Green |  | A green is an open space consisting of lawn or vegetated ground cover and informally arranged trees and shrubs, typically furnished with paths, benches, and open shelters. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged. A green may be spatially defined by landscaping rather than buildings fronting it along the edges.Greens are typically located in T2, T3, and T4 Transect Zones. | Area: 1/2 acre minimum Depth: 100 feet minimum Width: 150 feet minimum | Streets required on at least 2 sides of the green's perimeter |
Square |  | A square is a formal open space available for recreational and civic uses and spatially defined by abutting streets and building frontages . Landscaping in a square consists of lawn or vegetated ground cover, trees, and shrubs planted in formal patterns and it is typically furnished with paths, benches, and open shelters. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged.Squares are typically located in T4 and T5 Transect Zones. | Area: 5,000 square feet minimum Depth: 70 feet minimum Width: 70 feet minimum | Streets required on at least 3 sides of the square's perimeter |
Plaza |  | A plaza is a formal open space available for civic and commercial uses and spatially defined by building frontages. Landscaping in a plaza consists primarily of pavement, which may include pervious pavers; trees and shrubs are optional. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged.Plazas are typically located in T4 and T5 Transect Zones. | Area: 4,000 square feet minimum Depth: 50 feet minimum Width: 70 feet minimum | Streets required on at least 1 side of the plaza's perimeter |
Pocket Park/ Playground |  | A pocket park is an open space available for informal activities in close proximity to neighborhood residences. Landscape design may vary; shade trees should be included.A playground is a fenced open space , typically interspersed within residential areas, that is designed and equipped for the recreation of children. Playgrounds may be freestanding or located within parks, greens, squares, or school sites.Pocket parks and playgrounds may be located in any Transect Zone. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged. | Area: no minimum; typically 2,000 square feet to 1 acre | n/a |
Community Garden |  | A community garden is a grouping of garden plots available to nearby residents for small-scale cultivation. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged. Community gardens may be located in any Transect Zone. | Area: no minimum; typically 1,000 square feet to 1 acre | n/a |
Trails |  | A trail is a public path that supports nonautomotive mobility, including pedestrians and/or cyclists. Trails in T1, T2 and T3 Zones are often associated with an adjacent road right-of-way , utility corridors, and defunct railroad lines. Trails in T4 and T5 may be associated with linear parks and framed by building frontages . Trail surfaces can vary widely; bike lanes will be paved, but pedestrian-oriented corridors could incorporate a variety of permeable surfaces, such as packed gravel, cobblestone, or other pavers. Vegetation that attracts and provides habitat for pollinators is encouraged. | Trail width (paved area): T1/T2: 12 feet minimum T3/T4/T5: 10 feet minimum | n/a |