17.5.F Public Plaza Standards

17.5.F.1 Public Plaza Benefit Formula   

Floor area bonus for qualifying public plazas shall be based on the following formula:

a.  The bonus FAR is equal to the area of the proposed public plaza divided by the area of the lot on which the proposed development is located, then multiplied by the base FAR. (Bonus FAR = (area of plaza or park divided by lot area) x base FAR). For example, if the proposed public plaza has an area of 2,500 square feet, and the lot on which the development is located has an area of 20,000 square feet and a base FAR of 14, then the bonus FAR is 1.75 and the maximum FAR of the proposed development is increased to 15.75.

b. The maximum bonus that may be obtained is equal to thirty percent (30%) of the base Floor Area Ratio.

17.5.F.2 Public Plaza Standards and Guidelines   

a.  Plazas shall be open to the sky, except for arbors, trellises or small pedestrian-oriented structures.

b.  Plazas shall have a minimum site area of two-thousand five-hundred (2,500) square feet.

c.  At least twenty percent (20%) of the plaza shall consist of landscaping.

d.  A minimum of one (1) linear foot of seating area shall be provided for each thirty (30) square feet of plaza.

e.  The length of the plaza shall not exceed three (3) times its width in order to avoid long narrow spaces.

f.  All plazas shall be visible from and connected to the nearest sidewalk with preference given to corner locations that maximize pedestrian access.

g.  Plazas shall be designed in accordance with ADA accessibility requirements. No plaza may be more than three (3) feet above the adjacent sidewalk level.

h. Plazas shall be open to the public at minimum during the hours of 8:00am to 9:00pm daily. A plaque two (2) feet by four (4) feet in area shall be displayed at all entrances stating the hours of public use.

i.  Plazas shall be located so that they receive natural light during a portion of the day.