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).(4)
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
|
