Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> 19 <br /> • However, there are two means by which 100% of the field <br /> may be counted as open space: <br /> A) Where nitrification fields are designed in <br /> accordance with environmentally-sensitive <br /> development recommendations in the Rural Orange <br /> Design Guidebook, provided the open space uses would <br /> not be active recreational facilities, or <br /> other uses deemed inappropriate as per state and <br /> local health regulations. <br /> B) Additionally, open space left entirely in its <br /> natural state (where the natural state is not active <br /> recreation) . Nitrification fields may not occupy <br /> portions of the site identified in #2, #3, and #7. <br /> 6. Agricultural and forestry activities which involve the <br /> cultivation of soil for the production of crops, <br /> including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, flowers, <br /> and ornamental plants, the planting and production of <br /> trees and timber; and the raising of livestock, for <br /> individual and public use, consumption, and marketing. <br /> Open water bodies may also be counted as open space <br /> 7. Active and passive public recreation sites identified in <br /> the County's Master Recreation & Parks Plan, including <br /> district and community parks owned by the County. <br /> S . Private or other public recreational facilities such as <br /> open vegetated fields for recreational activities such as <br /> golf courses, driving ranges, baseball and soccer fields <br /> may count partially in fulfilling open space <br /> requirements. However, since many of these facilities may <br /> not, fully achieve the goals of this study, this type of <br /> open space should count only as 50% of the required open <br /> space set-aside. Furthermore, these types of open space <br /> should comply with applicable design standards and <br /> monitoring and maintenance requirements to be developed. <br /> Further study is recommended on the subject of specific <br /> criteria evaluating the quality of such open space. <br /> Provision must be made for permanent protection of the open space <br /> through: <br /> a) Conservation as private property through platted ownership or <br /> conservation easements. <br /> b) Ownership by a Homeowner's Association as shown on the recorded <br /> plat, including specific upkeep requirements as part of its bylaws <br /> and restrictive covenants; or <br /> c) Public dedication to Orange County or another unit of local <br /> government, a; nonprofit conservation organization, or the State of <br /> North Carolina. <br />