21.36.040 Design Requirements.
A. Minimum open space is required by the City’s Residential Regulations.
B. Open space within a development shall be available for common use by the residents, tenants, and/or the general public, depending on the type of project. The open space may be used for recreation, waterfront access; landscaping; visual, noise or land use buffer; drainage control; or other purposes the City may approve during project review and approval that are consistent with the definition of open space.
C. Design Criteria. The following criteria apply to the design of open space areas under this chapter:
1. Design open space to enhance and preserve outstanding natural site features.
2. Use open space, setbacks, tree protection areas, or critical areas as buffers between the existing uses and proposed uses when there is significant contrast in land use type or intensity.
3. Organize open space into a general system of integrated or connected spaces.
4. Link open space to open spaces on adjacent properties.
5. Use environmental conditions, such as critical areas, shorelines, solar access, microclimates, views, and privacy, to determine the siting of open space, buildings, parking areas, and streets.
6. Design storm ponds and/or swales to have a natural-occurring appearance and to complement existing landforms and proposed open space rather than appear as rigid engineered shapes.
7. Where appropriate, provide open space contiguous with required natural buffers.
8. Design recreational open space to provide readily accessible places for informal and formal recreation to occur.
9. Where a proposed development abuts or includes areas designated as parks, open space or open space corridors (City of Redmond Comprehensive Plan), the required parks, trails, or open space shall be designed and located using the following criteria:
a. Locate the required park, open space, or trail next to or connected to the designated park, open space, or open space corridor.
b. Where appropriate, locate parks, open space, or trails to increase access to waterfront and recreation areas. The design of waterfront and recreation areas must address safe access, maintenance of improved areas, and protection of critical areas.
c. Provide a connection, such as a sidewalk, pathway, greenway, or multipurpose trail, where a proposed development abuts a public park, recreation facility, or trail. The development shall not block access to the park or recreation facility from adjacent areas.
10. Residential uses shall provide for active recreational uses through the provision of specific outdoor activities and play areas and/or linking open spaces to pedestrian or bicycle trails.
11. Create a desirable environment for employees in commercial and industrial developments. Design the building and site in a manner that provides visual access and, where appropriate, physical access to attractive natural features, such as shorelines, unusual landforms, or critical areas on the site.