Open space: your definition

[Dan]

I'm curious to know what you would consider "open space."

Why? Well, in the community where I work, in an area is known for its engaged, vocal, and environmentally conscious population, there's some opposition to our draft comprehensive plan, due to it not sufficiently protecting "open space". However, those opposed to the plan, and many others in the community, use the term "open space" to mean "any land that is not developed." I even receive letters in opposition to infill projects, because it would eliminate "open space".

My personal definition of "open space" doesn't mean "everything without a building", but rather:

* Public/semi-public and more accessible: parks, preserves, conservation easements, and open space tracts in subdivisions.
* Private and less accessible: land that is zoned agriculture or conservation, excluding more intensive agricultural operations (CAFO, dairy nurseries) and semi-industrial uses (mining, etc).

Questionable areas include:

* Golf courses.
* Undeveloped and unreserved/undedicated park-like portions of larger sites that have underlying zoning permitting more intensive development.

What say the Throbbing Brain? I'm interested in opinions more than cites, although it would be interesting to see if there's any differences in how the term defined or cosnidered from different sources.

[mike gurnee]

If there is even a remote chance that it can develop, I do not consider it open space. In a comp plan, proposed open space would be where actions have already begun to acquire/preserve.

[Richmond Jake]

There's the definition in our code:

OPEN SPACE: A parcel or area of land generally unimproved set aside, dedicated, or reserved for conservation or recreation purposes, or for the public or private use and enjoyment of the landowners.

[Brocktoon]

I think the definition of open space should be expanded to include parking lots, retention basins and landscaped medians.

[Richmond Jake]

I think the definition of open space should be expanded to include parking lots, retention basins and landscaped medians.

I've heard the retention basins (stormwater ponds here), argument several times. That dog don't hunt.

[fringe]

I've heard the retention basins (stormwater ponds here), argument several times. That dog don't hunt.

Along with overhead power line and underground pipeline easements.

[Linda_D]

There's the definition in our code:

OPEN SPACE: A parcel or area of land generally unimproved set aside, dedicated, or reserved for conservation or recreation purposes, or for the public or private use and enjoyment of the landowners.

This is a reasonable definition IMO. If it's not "set aside, dedicated, or reserved", it can be developed by somebody in the future.

[Brocktoon]

I've heard the retention basins (stormwater ponds here), argument several times. That dog don't hunt.

In Phoenix many city parksand are also retention basins. The same is true for many neighborhoods where the basin also serves as a small park. In AZ that dog does hunt but it only rains 12 times a year.

[wahday]

In Phoenix many city parksand are also retention basins. The same is true for many neighborhoods where the basin also serves as a small park. In AZ that dog does hunt but it only rains 12 times a year.

We have the same dynamic here in Albuquerque. AMAFCA, our regional flood control authority, will no longer do any single purpose basins so everything they are doing now overlays numerous uses/functions and most are parks. The City and County have adopted similar strategies in dealing with storm water management There are some stellar examples, actually, including one space that operates as a community farm and wetland.

As to definition, this is the definition the EPA uses, which I think is pretty good (and emphasizes public access which I think is important). I was actually at the New Partners for Smart Growth conference in Kansas City earlier this month. It was pretty inspiring.

Open space is any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is accessible to the public. Open space can include:

Green space (land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation). Green space includes parks, community gardens, and cemeteries.
Schoolyards
Playgrounds
Public seating areas
Public plazas
Vacant lots

Context matters in this definition, of course. Open space from the point of view of people studying bird migration is going to look different from a park planner.

[Tide]

Ha,
This was my biggest challenge as my last gig as a PD for a county. We had a cluster option in the zoning and it simply said if the developer "leaves open space" they can get "bonus density of 3:1" but open space was NEVER identified therefore any detention pond, grass strip, or anything else had to be considered open space and the amount given was no where near what the intentions of a cluster option are. I was building a hybrid cluster ordinance before I was let go that would actually have allowed more than 3:1 but the developer would have to meet some performance criteria first, including minimal % set aside and quality of set aside.

[Richmond Jake]

In Phoenix many city parksand are also retention basins. The same is true for many neighborhoods where the basin also serves as a small park. In AZ that dog does hunt but it only rains 12 times a year.

I golfed on a course in Scottsdale that was clearly a retention/detention basin. Perhaps the term "usable" should be mandated for this form of open space?