Page 198 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

135-3. lArGe-ScAle DeVelOPMeNt DRAFT

Open Space Requirements

district constituting at least 20% of the land area. 135-3.5 Open Space requirements 12
2. For developments over 24 acres, at least 3 All large-scale developments are required to provide
residential districts (N or NX) shall be designated public or private open space based upon the following
with each district constituting at least 20% of the requirements.
land area. At least one of the 3 districts shall be
an NX district. 3.5.1 reQUireD AMOUNt
D. P Districts. P districts shall be designated for open One type of open space is required within 1/4 of a mile
space as required in 135-3.5. of each principal entrance for each residential unit.
3.4.8 DOWNtOWN NeiGHBOrHOOD lArGe- 3.5.2 NAtUrAl FeAtUreS
ScAle DeVelOPMeNtS Where significant tree canopy or natural feature exist
Downtown Neighborhood Large-Scale Developments on the site, the open space shall be located in order to
are required on applicable parcels (per 135-3.1.2) with preserve the maximum amount of the existing trees or
a DX2 or DXR zoning designation on the zoning map. natural feature.
Refer to Table 3.5-1 for the allowed zoning districts
available for use in the Large-Scale Development. 3.5.3 tYPeS OF OPeN SPAce
A. DX2 District. A minimum of 40,000 square feet of The following types of open space are permitted. With
area or 30 percent of the total net area, whichever is the exception of the parklet, no more than one of each
greater, shall be zoned DX2 when the existing zoning type is permitted per every 40 acres of development
is DX2. Refer to 135-3.4.3 for location and layout. site:
B. DXr District. A minimum of 40,000 square feet of A. Plaza. A plaza is a generally hardscaped area
area shall be zoned DXR when the existing zoning is (minimum 60 percent coverage), minimum 1/8
DXR. Refer to 135-3.4.3 for location and layout. acre in size, with either street, pedestrian, or river
right-of-way or building frontage on all sides and
c. MX3 District. When at least 120,000 square feet at least one side the equivalent of 25 percent of
of DX2 and/or MX2 district area is designated, a the perimeter fronting a primary street. A single
maximum of 40,000 square feet of MX3 district is plaza may not fulfill the minimum open space
permitted. Refer to 135-3.4.3 for location and layout. requirements; if a plaza is utilized to meet the
D. Other Districts. Other districts are allowed per distance requirement, another open space shall be
Table 3.5-1. incorporated in another location on the site.
e. P Districts. P districts shall be designated for open B. Square. A square is a combination of hardscape
space as required in 135-3.5. and landscape (approximately 50% and 50%
F. Minimum required residential Mix. respectively), minimum 1/4 acre in size, and
surrounded by street frontage on all sides.
1. For all developments, at least 2 residential c. Parklet. A parklet is a generally landscaped space
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districts (RX, N, or NX) shall be designated with (minimum 70 percent), minimum 1/2 acre with street
each district constituting at least 20% of the land right-of-way on at least 50 percent of the perimeter.
area.
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2. For developments over 24 acres , at least D. Green. A green is a larger, generally landscaped
11
space, a minimum of 1 acre in size, with at least 25
3 residential districts (RX, N, or NX) shall be percent of the perimeter on street right-of-way.
designated with each district constituting at least
20% of the land area. e. Natural Area. A natural area is a large area,
minimum 2 acres in size, defined to conserve a
natural feature, such as a wetland or woodland.
At least 25 percent of the perimeter shall be on a
street right-of-way.

12 Not sure about the comment regarding a disconnect
11 24 acres is approximately 6 blocks, which could between landscape and open space? Should discuss.
accommodate different districts such as 2 blocks of one 13 Comment re: another name for “park” to avoid confusion
district, 4 of another, and block ends down the central with a city park. Renamed park to green and reduced the
corridor being a third district. size. Changed name of green to parklet. Out of names!

135-3-12 DRAFT AUGUST 3, 2017