Council advances consolidated Open Space ordinance to advertising phase

Titusville City Council on July 8 voted to advertise a comprehensive Open Space ordinance that consolidates scattered open‑space rules into a single chapter and sets clearer standards for how common open space is measured in new developments.

Key points: the draft ordinance retains existing open‑space thresholds (for example, 35 percent for planned development rezoning) but requires developers to identify on plans the mix of active and passive open space and establishes definitions and minimum dimensions for categories such as plazas, plazas, greenways, playgrounds and natural areas. The ordinance keeps a long‑standing limit that only up to 50 percent of certain stormwater ponds or natural water bodies may be counted toward an open‑space requirement unless those areas are improved for usable public access. Parking areas are explicitly excluded from open‑space credit.

Why it matters: The ordinance is largely procedural but has practical consequences for how new master‑planned developments negotiate amenities and meet open‑space requirements; council members said the change will make negotiations more transparent and improve the quality of usable public open space in large projects.

Council action: After an extended staff presentation and public discussion, the council approved advisability to advertise the ordinance for public hearing and adoption. Staff consolidated language from multiple code sections into one chapter, added standards for active vs. passive open space, and identified exemptions (for infill and sites near existing parks). The vote to advertise and transmit the ordinance was unanimous.

Quote: Planner Brad Parish told the council, “The developer must identify what they’re going to include in that open space from the matrix,” explaining the new requirement that applicants select defined open‑space categories on plans (staff presentation, July 8).