8107-48 - Urban parks.

The purpose of this Section 8107-48 is to regulate the design of urban parks to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and safely provide publicly accessible park and recreational opportunities.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

This section applies to urban parks projects, as defined in Article 2.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.2 - Development standards and requirements.

Urban parks subject to this Section 8107-48 shall comply with the following standards and requirements:

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.2.1 - General standards and requirements.

Urban parks shall be sited and designed to be compatible with surrounding uses, including the built environment, natural, cultural, and historic resources through the following standards and requirements. Specifically, urban parks shall:

a.

Utilize materials and designs that are durable, easily maintained, and can withstand detrimental effects of weather, time and active use.

b.

Comply with applicable landscaping and water conservation requirements in Section 8106-8.2. For instance, tree and shrub types shall be native and non-invasive regionally adaptive drought tolerant species (see Ventura County Landscape Design Criteria).

c.

Incorporate energy conservation and efficiency into building design to reduce lifetime energy usage with renewable energy resources, facilitation of passive ventilation, and effective use of passive thermal reduction.

d.

Site improvements that avoid sensitive biological resources, as defined in the General Plan, while including uses such as trails and nature viewing areas.

e.

Include only buildings that complement and support the park setting, such as concessions, gymnasiums, restroom facilities, and/or maintenance equipment storage facilities.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

Urban parks shall comply with all applicable design standards set forth in this Section 8107-48.2.2.

a.

Setbacks: For the purposes of this Section, urban park uses shall include, but are not limited to, sports or athletic fields or courts, non-motorized vehicle tracks or courses, playgrounds, etc.

1.

With the exception of the prescribed setbacks included in this Section 8107-48.2.2.a, urban park uses shall be located near urban park boundaries and be visible from the public right of way, internal driveway, and/or parking area to maximize visibility for security and accessibility for the public.

2.

Urban park uses, other than playgrounds, on lots greater than 1.5 acres shall be:

i.

Setback at least fifteen (15) feet from the public right of way; and

ii.

Setback at least twenty-five (25) feet from noise sensitive uses, as defined in the General Plan.

3.

Playgrounds shall be setback at least:

i.

Twenty-five (25) feet from the public right of way; however, the required setback may be reduced to ten (10) feet if more than fifty (50) percent of the playground is surrounded by a three-foot-high wall or see-through fence; and

ii.

Fifteen (15) feet from adjacent urban parks uses and outdoor recreational facilities.

4.

A low berm, landscape buffer, wall and/or transparent fence can be included within the setback area, where appropriate, provided it does not exceed three (3) feet in height.

5.

For purposes of Section 8107-48.2.2.a.2, setbacks for urban park uses and outdoor recreational facilities other than playgrounds shall be measured to the edge of the nearest sideline, field perimeter, or athletic field seating.

6.

For purposes of Section 8107-48.2.2.a.3, setback distances for playgrounds shall be measured from the edge of the playground (inclusive of the playground area surface).

7.

Any structure or use not described in this Section 8107-48.2.2.a shall adhere to the underlying zone's setback requirements.

b.

Safety.

1.

Urban parks shall be designed for safety and to help reduce the incidence and fear of crime through welldefined user areas and by features that physically separate urban park users from potential conflicting uses, such as separating a playground from a roadway, through one (1) or more of the following methods:

i.

Natural surveillance (e.g., placement of physical features, activities, lights and gathering areas to maximize visibility).

ii.

Access control (e.g., placement of walkways, fences, landscaping, gates, walls and lighting to guide visitors to the entrance or exit and discourage access to dark or unmonitored areas).

iii.

Maintenance (e.g., clean and well-kept conditions, and removal, repair, replacement of damaged, broken, or vandalized facilities).

2.

Urban parks shall be designed to reduce risks to users from extreme temperatures and solar exposure by incorporating active and passive thermal reduction design including, but not limited to, orientation of facilities to be cooled by prevailing breezes, low heat retention materials and surfaces, and shaded seating areas and benches. Trees are encouraged on the perimeter, particularly around playgrounds and athletic fields, to provide natural shade and attenuate noise.

[3.

Reserved.]

4.

When feasible principal use building entrances should be accessed directly from, and face, the public street. The building entrances shall be no more than two hundred fifty (250) feet away from the edge of a parking lot, inclusive of surrounding sidewalks.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

a.

Parking shall be provided in accordance with Article 8.

b.

Connections to existing and planned multimodal transportation networks that include roadways, pathways, trails, bicycle paths, sidewalks, and mass transit routes shall be provided to ensure easy and equitable access to urban parks, including primary and secondary entrances.

c.

Vehicle and pedestrian entrances shall be separated, with access designed for each user type.

d.

Adequate access for fire and emergency response, as well as for maintenance activities, shall be provided.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.2.4 - Noise.

a.

New noise generators proposed to be located near any noise sensitive use shall be consistent with the noise standards in the Hazards and Safety Element of the General Plan.

b.

Outdoor recreational facilities shall be sited to avoid conflicts with existing noise sensitive uses, and potential noise impacts on adjacent residential land uses must be minimized.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.2.5 - Trash and recycling storage.

All trash and recycling enclosures shall be consistent with the standards set forth in the Ventura County Integrated Waste Management Division's Space Allocation Guidelines for Refuse and Recyclables Collection and Loading Areas, as may be amended.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.2.6 - Urban parks lighting.

a.

Lighting Design. The lighting design shall be consistent with the purpose of this Section 8107-48.2.6 and minimize the effects of light trespass on the surrounding environment.

b.

Outdoor Lighting. All light poles and outdoor lighting/luminaires shall be consistent with the following standards:

All outdoor luminaires shall be fully shielded, directed downward, and installed and maintained in such a manner to avoid light trespass beyond the lot line in excess of those amounts set forth in Section 810748.2.6(e) below. Lights at building entrances and under-eave lights, may be partially shielded.

2.

All outdoor luminaires, other than essential luminaires, shall be turned off or allowed to automatically dim from 10:00 p.m., or when people are no longer present in exterior areas being illuminated, or the close of business hours, whichever is latest, until sunrise, unless otherwise allowed by the decision-making authority.

3.

All light pole standards within or near a playing area that are not protected by a fence should have pole pads that are at least three (3) to six (6) inches thick by at least six (6) feet high as measured from the grade.

c.

Security Lighting.

1.

Outdoor luminaires used for security lighting shall not exceed a maximum output of two thousand six hundred (2,600) lumens per luminaire.

2.

Where the light output exceeds eight hundred fifty (850) lumens, motion sensors with timers programmed to turn off the light(s) no more than ten (10) minutes after activation must be used between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise. Restroom and building entrance lighting are exempt from timer or motion activation limits.

3.

Where security cameras are used in conjunction with security lighting, the lighting color may exceed three thousand (3,000) Kelvin but shall be the minimum necessary for effective operation of the security camera.

4.

Lights shall be present outside restrooms, at building entrances, and along primary circulation routes and pathways.

d.

Parking Area Lighting. Lighting provided for parking areas shall be consistent with Section 8108-5.12.

e.

Outdoor Recreational Facility Lighting.

1.

Outdoor recreational facility lighting may exceed eight hundred fifty (850) lumens and three thousand (3,000) Kelvin per luminaire. Lighting levels for these facilities shall not exceed those recommended in the lighting

handbook entitled "Recommended Practice: Lighting Sports and Recreational Areas" available online, and as may be amended, by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for the class of play (Sports Class I, II, III or IV).

2.

In cases where fully-shielded luminaires would cause impairment to the visibility required for the intended recreational activity, partially-shielded luminaires and directional lighting methods may be utilized to reduce light pollution, glare and light trespass.

3.

The lighting design (including lumens, Kelvin, etc.) shall be prepared by a qualifying engineer, architect or landscape architect in conformance with this Section 8107-48.2.6.

4.

With the exception of security lighting as specified in Section 8107-48.2.6(c), and parking area lighting as specified in Section 8108-5.12, organized league events at outdoor recreational facilities shall not be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise, except to complete a recreational event or activity that is in progress as of 10:00 p.m.

5.

With the exception of security lighting as specified in Section 8107-48.2.6(c), and parking area lighting as specified in Section 8108-5.12, casual use of outdoor recreational facilities between dusk and 10:00 p.m., if allowed, shall be activated by a timer switch. For example, basketball or tennis courts would be lightened independently through a timer switch activated by an "on" button. Lights shall not be allowed to be turned on between 10:00 p.m. and dawn.

f.

Allowable Light Trespass. Outdoor lighting shall not exceed the Quantitative Light Trespass Limits shown in Table 1 below, measured from the property line illuminated by the light source, whenever the project site abuts one (1) or more of the specified zones in Table 1. If the project site abuts more than one (1) of the specified zones in Table 1, the more restrictive standard shall apply. For example, if a project site abuts both a singlefamily residential zone and a multifamily residential zone, the light trespass limit shall be 0.1 foot-candles at the property line.

Table 1

(Section 8107-48.2.6(f)) Quantitative Light Trespass Limits, by Zone

Open Space, Agriculture and Special Purpose Zones (such as OS, AE, TP) and Rural Residential and Singlefamily/Two-family Residential Zones (such as RA, RE, RO, R1, R2)

Horizontal-plane limit 0.1 foot-candles at property lines Vertical-plane limit Multifamily Residential Zones (such as RPD)

Horizontal-plane limit

0.2 foot-candles at property lines

Vertical-plane limit

g.

Height Standards for Luminaires.

1.

Luminaires affixed to structures for the purpose of lighting outdoor recreational facilities (such as for equestrian arenas, batting cages, tennis courts, basketball courts, etc.) shall not be mounted higher than fifteen (15) feet above the finished grade. In cases where luminaires are affixed to fences, the top of the fixture shall not be higher than the height of the fence.

2.

Freestanding light fixtures used to light walkways, driveways, or hardscaping shall utilize luminaires that are no higher than two (2) feet above finished grade.

3.

All other freestanding light fixtures shall not be higher than twenty (20) feet above finished grade, unless specifically authorized by a discretionary permit granted under this Chapter.

h.

In the case of conflicting height standards for luminaries, the more restrictive standard shall apply.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024; Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

8107-48.2.7 - Sign program.

a.

A sign program shall describe and pictorially represent the location (on a site plan and on the elevations of any building), dimensions, color, letter style, letter height, and sign type of all signs to be installed. All new, altered, or changed signs shall conform to an approved sign program unless an amendment to that approved sign program is approved by the decision-making authority pursuant to Section 8111-6.1 of this Chapter.

b.

For urban parks in Designated Disadvantaged Communities, as defined in the General Plan, all onsite signs shall be in English and the next most prevalent language in the surrounding community for equitable facility use.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

All application submittals shall include the following plans, as applicable:

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

All discretionary applications that include lighting shall depict on the site plan the location and manufacturer specifications that demonstrate consistency with Sections 8107-48.2.6 and 8108-5.12 of this Chapter. The permittee shall install and maintain all exterior lighting in accordance with the approved lighting plan.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

All discretionary applications that include landscaping shall include a landscape plan if required by Section 8106-8.2 that indicates all locations and species of plantings, trees, trails, and landscape features, and complies with the landscape plan standards pursuant to Section 8106-8.2.2.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.4 - Requirements for urban park dedications.

Any urban park that is to be dedicated to the County of Ventura or any other public entity for park and recreational purposes shall comply with the following requirements:

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.4.1 - Confirmation of intent to accept the dedication.

Prior to a determination of application completeness, the County of Ventura or public entity, as applicable, shall confirm in writing its intent to accept the dedication of the proposed urban park after issuance of the required permits.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.4.2 - Acquisition and improvement agreement.

The applicant shall provide an Acquisition and Improvement Agreement approved by the County or other public entity, as applicable. The Acquisition and Improvement Agreement shall include a project description, establish a timeline for completion of urban park, outdoor recreation facilities, and/or gymnasium construction and identify the dates for transfer of title to the public entity. The amount of annual operation and maintenance costs shall be included in the Acquisition and Improvement Agreement.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.5 - Requirements for privately-owned and maintained urban parks.

An urban park that is both privately-owned and maintained shall comply with the following requirements:

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.5.2 - Maintenance plan.

The applicant shall provide a Maintenance Plan to ensure that that the urban park is maintained in a neat and orderly manner so as not to create any blight, hazardous, or nuisance conditions. The plan shall be consistent with the project description, standards in this Section 8107-48.5 and all other applicable zoning standards.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.5.3 - Funding.

The applicant shall demonstrate sufficient funding, inclusive of inflation, for physical maintenance of the urban park for a period of no fewer than fifteen (15) years.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.5.4 - Liability insurance.

The permittee shall maintain, for the life of the urban park, liability insurance of not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) for one (1) person and one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for all persons and two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) for property damage. This requirement does not preclude the permittee from being self-insured.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.6. - Requirements for privately-owned urban park maintained by a public entity.

In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 8107-48.5, a privately-owned urban park that will be maintained by a public entity shall demonstrate proof of an approved and executed agreement with the public entity and shall be incorporated into the land use entitlement.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-48.7 - Decision-making authority to waive standards and requirements.

If any of the standards and requirements set forth in Sections 8107-48.2 through 8107-48.6 cannot be met due to factors such as parcel size, unusual site conditions, or factors that would unduly serve as a prohibition on the establishment of an urban park, the decision-making authority may waive or modify such standards and requirements. A written explanation by the applicant or designee shall be required to describe how the proposed project meets the standards and intent of the sections referenced above to the maximum extent feasible.

(Ord. No. 4624, § 4, 1-9-2024)

8107-49 - Energy production from renewable sources and energy storage.

The purpose of this Section 8107-49 is to regulate energy production from renewable sources and energy storage to ensure public safety and compatibility with surrounding land uses, and limit impacts to agricultural and open space lands, while providing reliable renewable energy for the community.

(Ord. No. 4630, § 3, 5-21-2024)

8107-49.1 - Energy storage acreage limitation.

The total cumulative acreage for energy storage facilities, including accessory equipment and structures but excluding the area for ingress and egress to the facility, shall not exceed one hundred (100) acres within the combined areas of the OS (Open Space), AE (Agricultural Exclusive), and RA (Rural Agriculture) zoning districts in the unincorporated area of Ventura County. The County shall not approve any project or combination of projects that will exceed this acreage limitation.

(Ord. No. 4630, § 3, 5-21-2024)

8107-50 - Locally grown food processing facilities.

The purpose of this Section 8107-50 is to allow and regulate the processing of locally grown food (agricultural processed commodities) on OS, AE, and RA zoned lands in compliance with the County's Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) Ordinance (§ 2(1)(I)(m)).

(Ord. No. 4632, § 2, 6-4-2024)