(a) Recreation and open space areas shall be provided in
residential subdivisions having twenty-five (25) lots or more. Such recreation and open
space areas shall contain a minimum land area equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%)
of the cumulative area of lots being subdivided.
(b) The recreation area shall consist of a single parcel unless
otherwise approved by the agent.
(c) The agent shall determine that the land to be incorporated
into the recreation and open space areas is suitable for recreational purposes (passive or
active), the development of recreational facilities, or preserves appropriate and
sensitive features of the site.
(d) The land areas reserved as recreation and open space area
may be reduced by one-half where the subdivider elects to develop recreational facilities
for the use of the future residents of the subdivision. The following standards shall
apply:
(1) All facilities shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the county’s standards for recreational facilities or other
acceptable standard or facility design approved by the agent.
(2) The mix of facilities shall be reasonably related to the
market orientation of the residential units in the subdivision.
(3) The planned development "core recreation
facilities" contained in the zoning ordinance shall guide the design and construction
of recreation areas.
(4) The recreation facilities shall be completed and available
for use prior to the issuance of any certificates of occupancy for dwelling units in the
subdivision. The agent may, however, approve a phased development schedule for
recreational facilities which generally corresponds to the overall phasing of the
subdivision itself.