In order to protect and preserve the open space
of the Township and to further the public health, safety, morals and
general welfare, the following statement of objectives is set forth:
A. To encourage innovations in residential development
so that the growing demands of the population may be met by greater
variety in type, design and layout of buildings and by the conservation
and more efficient use of open space ancillary to such buildings.
B. To encourage a more efficient use of land and of public
services, or private services in lieu thereof.
C. To provide for a contiguous and integral open space
system.
D. To conserve the value of the land.
E. To encourage more flexible land development that will
preserve and enhance natural resources such as streams, lakes, floodplains,
high water table, wooded areas, wetlands, steeply sloped areas and
areas of unusual importance to the natural ecosystem.
F. To provide that open space within developments shall
be planned and designed to achieve the Township's goal of ensuring
that adequate recreation areas are set aside in suitable locations
to provide for the recreation needs of the residents and owners of
the development and that those portions of the Township which, because
of their natural features, constitute important visual amenities and
environmental resources are preserved; and that common open space
configuration within a development may be evaluated in terms of inventories
of the natural features of the site, recreation demand projections
prepared by the applicant and a plan indicating the general location
of common open space areas for natural preserves and for active recreational
purposes.
[Amended 3-12-2003 by Ord. No. 4-2003]
A. In all residential developments, except Planned Residential
One, Two and Three, which will result in 10 or more dwelling units,
not less than 15% of the total area shall be set aside for open space
combining active and passive recreation uses.
B. This 15% shall not include easements, wetland areas and buffers (transition areas), stormwater basins, rights-of-way or areas designated as open space because of natural characteristics cited in §
285-174E. The location, form and design of such areas shall be approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board. The area specifically designated for open space shall be fully usable for its intended purpose and shall have all improvements as required by this article. The size and location of all active recreation areas are to be determined by the Planning Board or Zoning Board.
All lots must have a minimum fifty-foot-wide
area abutting and contiguous to the right-of-way of a public street,
except for lots on a cul-de-sac street that are pie-shaped, in which
case the abutting area may be reduced to 30 feet in width.