PZ - Narrative addressing current open space and amenity standards BRIGHTON
February 1, 2022
C. Caleb Hood, Planning Division Manager
Community Development Services
Meridian City Hall
RE.Apex West Subdivision—Preliminary Plat(supplement to narrative)
Dear Mr. Hood:
In discussions with staff, there has been some confusion over whether the Apex West application is
subject to the previous open space/amenity standards, or to the current standards that were approved
by City Council on 10/10/2021.
As a way to clarify and to demonstrate that the submitted application meets the current requirements
for both open space and amenities, we offer the following:
Qualified open space requirements:
The following is taken directly from UDC 11-3G-3 and demonstrates the minimum percentage of open
space required for each individual zoning designation.
Zone %Open Space
R-2 8
R-4 12%
R-8 15
R-15 15
When a project is located in more than one zoning designation, UDC 11-3G-3A.1.b says "... the
calculation of the minimum required open space shall be based on the land area in each zone, and
the total for each zone shall be combined for the minimum required open space for the entire
project."
Our required and proposed open space calculation using UDC11-3-G-3A.1.b is as follows:
Zone Required Acreage/% Proposed Acreage/%
R-2 0.9088 Acres/8% 3.96 Acres/34.9%
R-4 N/A N/A
R-8 9.753 Acres/15% 10.7 Acres/16.5%
R-15 2.958 Acres/15% 1.3 Acres/15.96
Total 13.619 Acres/14.17% 15.96 Acres/16.61%
As the table above demonstrates,the proposed 15.96 acres (16.61%) of open space for the project is
2.34 acres in excess of what code requires. We feel that the open space is integrated well into the entire
project, is pedestrian oriented, is very visible from public streets, and supports a wide range of leisure
and play activities.
BRIGHTON—Creating GREAT Places—2929 W. Navigator Drive,Ste.400, Meridian, ID 83642
www.brightoncorp.com 208-378-4000
Qualified amenity requirements:
UDC 11-3G-4.A.1 states the following: "For each five (5) acres of gross land area, one (1) point of site
amenity is required. If the calculation of the number of required site amenities results in a fraction, such
number shall be rounded up or down to the next whole number:fractions less than one-half(0.5) shall
be rounded down to the whole number and fractions which are one-half(0.5) and greater shall be
rounded up to the next higher whole number."
Using the above UDC section to calculate the total results in 13 points being required for the
development.
Our proposed amenity calculation using UDC 11-3-G-4A.1 and Table 11-3G-4 is as follows:
Site Amenity Proposed Point Value
Swimming Pool 4
Swimming Pool Changing Facilities and Restroom 6
Multi-use pathway along the Watkins Drain -.27 miles 2
Multi-use pathway along the McBirney Lateral -.33 miles 2
Playground 3
Total Points 17 points proposed
As the table above demonstrates,the proposed amenities for the project are in excess of what code
requires. The proposed open space and amenities are integrated within the development, are
pedestrian-oriented in nature and design, and provide high visibility to ensure compliance with CPTED
standards.
JoAh Beach
Assistant Project Manager- Entitlement
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