§ 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. Front entries or porches of less than 50 square feet, landscaped roof areas or roof decks may not be calculated as part of the required open space, except as allowed in the North Costa Mesa Specific Plan or as otherwise approved under subsection (e) . The open space shall be devoted to landscaping, preservation of natural features, patios and recreational areas and facilities and not used for circulation purposes.

(b) At least 50% 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 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 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) With the exception of required perimeter open space, all or parts of the required common open space for multiple-story apartments or common interest developments may be provided on upper levels, 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 all cases, each dwelling unit above the first floor shall be provided with a roof deck area or balcony of not less than 100 square feet. The required area may be provided in one or more roof decks or balconies. In all cases, each dwelling unit shall be provided with a private roof deck or balcony with no dimension less than five feet.

(f) Landscape parkways with a combined width of 10 feet, but not less than three feet on one 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 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; Ord. No. 21-20, § 1, 12-7-21)