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Article 7: Subdivisions <br /> Section 7.11: Recreational Facilities <br /> <br /> <br />Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 7-31 <br /> <br />(3) In no case shall the total land area be less than that required by application of the <br />provisions of Article 3 (Required Minimum Pedestrian/Landscape Ratio, as <br />shown on the Table of each zoning district) and Section 6.3 (Land Use Intensity <br />System) of this Ordinance. <br />7.11.3 Site Suitability <br />(A) Land provided or dedicated for active recreational purposes shall be of a character, <br />slope, and location suitable for use as for play areas, tennis courts, multi-purpose courts, <br />picnic areas, ball fields, and other similar recreation uses. <br />(B) Active recreation areas shall be located on land that is relatively flat (0 to 7-1/2% slopes), <br />free of wetlands and/or flood plains, free of easements for public utility transmission lines, <br />and is otherwise capable of accommodating active recreation uses. <br />(C) Land provided or dedicated for low impact recreation and open space purposes shall be <br />of a character, slope, and location suitable for use for walking, jogging, reading and <br />similar quiet activities, and the preservation of natural features and cultural resources <br />such as steep slopes, rock outcrops, native plant life and wildlife cover, mature <br />woodlands, and water resources. <br />(D) In all cases, active and low impact recreation sites as well as open space areas <br />designated in the adopted Comprehensive Plan shall be incorporated into the design of <br />the subdivision. <br />(E) Criteria for evaluating the suitability of proposed recreation areas shall include but not be <br />limited to the following: <br />(1) Location <br />(a) Land dedicated for recreation purposes shall be located so as to serve <br />the needs of the residents of the subdivision and the residents of the <br />immediate neighborhood within which the subdivision is located. <br />(b) As approved by DEAPR, the Orange County Parks and Recreation <br />Board, and BOCC, land dedicated for public recreation purposes shall <br />also maintain logical access to other private Common Open Space <br />areas. <br />(c) Recreation areas shall be located so as to provide, insofar as possible, <br />reasonable accessibility to all residents of the subdivision and residents <br />living in the immediate neighborhood. <br />(d) Recreation areas shall be located where more land more suited for <br />recreational purposes due to shape, level slopes and/or dry soil <br />conditions is present. <br />(e) Where proposed park sites are shown in the adopted Comprehensive <br />Plan, and a subdivision contains a portion of the park site, then the <br />developer may be required to locate the recreation area in accordance <br />with the park site as shown thereon. <br />(2) Unity <br />(a) Land dedicated for recreation purposes shall be a single parcel except <br />where it is determined that two or more parcels are suited to the needs of <br />a particular subdivision. <br />(b) The Planning Department and/or Planning Board may recommend, and <br />the Board of County Commissioners may require, the dedication of a <br />connecting path in addition to the land required in Section 7.11.2 above. <br />(i) Where a connecting path is necessary, a path right-of -way of up <br />to 50 feet in width may be required, but in no case shall the path <br />right-of -way be less than 30 feet in width. <br /> 41