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Total open space shall be provided in every PRD consistent with the following standards:

A. Within a PRD, a minimum of 20 percent of the gross site area shall be established as total open space;

B. Total open space shall be used for:

1. Usable open space, which may include both active and passive recreation area;

2. Critical areas and their required buffers;

3. Site perimeter landscaping and other required landscaped areas outside of right-of-ways;

4. Landscaped, unfenced storm water detention/retention ponds; and

5. All other open space areas owned in common by all residents or owners in the PRD.

C. Where possible, open space tracts shall be located adjacent to permanently designated open space areas on adjacent properties;

D. Total open space shall be permanently established in clearly designated, separate tracts from residential units. Tracts shall be owned by:

1. All lot owners and condominium owners jointly, with an equal and undivided interest; or

2. A homeowners association.

E. Total open space shall be protected in perpetuity by a recorded covenant, in a form approved by the City;

F. The recorded covenant must restrict uses of the total open space to those specified in the approved PRD recorded site plan and must provide for the maintenance of the total open space in a manner which assures its continuing use for the intended purposes;

G. The applicant shall propose a method for establishing clearly defined permanent boundaries to separate private use areas from adjacent open space tracts within the PRD that is acceptable to the City. The type of permanent marking of the open space tracts proposed shall provide a clear and distinctive separation of properties at the open space boundary.

H. Usable open space shall be provided as a component of total open space and shall be consistent with the following standards:

1. The total site requirement for usable open space shall be no less than 200 square feet per dwelling unit;

2. Usable open space shall be developed for active and/or passive recreation purposes that serve the needs of the PRD residents;

3. The following are examples of active and passive recreation activities that may be allowed in usable open space:

a. Open play areas;

b. Pedestrian or bicycle paths;

c. Picnic areas with tables and benches;

d. Gazebos, benches and other resident gathering areas;

e. Any active recreation use listed in subsection 3 below;

f. Nature interpretive areas; and

g. Flower gardens when in conjunction with pedestrian paths.

4. Usable open space shall consist of land areas that do not contain:

a. Critical areas and their buffers; and

b. Overhead utility easements that exist on the project site at the time of application submittal unless they are handled in the manner provided under point 5 below.

5. Power line, utility rights-of-way and other similar easements may be incorporated into usable open space and counted towards the open space requirements of this section, provided they are developed with active recreational improvements.

6. Usable open space shall be adequate in design and size for the intended passive and/or active recreation;

7. No usable open space shall have any dimension less than 20 feet (except for segments containing trails, which shall not be less than 10 feet in width), unless the applicant can demonstrate and the director of the department can concur, that a lesser dimension will not inhibit the use of the open space for its designated purpose;

8. Usable open space shall be accessed by all-weather pedestrian pathways and/or sidewalks from the lots and dwellings within the PRD;

9. Usable open space designed for children shall not be located adjacent to any street designated as a collector/arterial unless properly designed with fencing, located away from street edges and other provisions to ensure adequate child safety. Usable open space designed for children shall be open, accessible, and visible from adjacent dwellings in order to enhance security;

10. Usable open space shall have the appropriate location, slope, soils, and drainage to be considered for recreational development;

11. Usable open space shall be landscaped pursuant to the provisions of SMC 14.240, and in accordance with the required landscape plan in a manner that enhances the design of the open space while not conflicting with the function of the proposed recreation use; and

12. Any buildings, structures, and improvements to be permitted in the usable open space shall be those appropriate to the proposed uses.

13. Active recreation uses shall be provided as follows:

a. A minimum of 20 percent of all usable open space within PRD’s with 10 or more lots or dwelling units shall be developed for active recreation uses. The type(s) of active recreation uses provided shall, to the extent possible, correspond to anticipated needs of the potential residents of the PRD;

b. Active recreation uses shall consist of one or more of the following:

1. Sport court;

2. Tot lot with play equipment (soft surface);

3. Open play area or sports field (grass or other pervious surface);

4. Indoor recreation center for youth, adult and/or seniors containing exercise and game rooms, sport courts and other community activities;

5. Swimming pool;

6. Any other active recreation use approved as part of the recorded development plan;

7. The active recreation facility shall be located on a reasonably level site with slopes no greater than six percent unless the applicant can demonstrate that the recreation facility can function adequately on greater slopes; and

8. Tot lot areas shall meet all safety recommend-ations and construction specifications of the manufacturer of the equipment used.