Common open space
Any land area that is designated as �Common Open Space� through deed restrictions in perpetuity and held in trust by a homeowners association, the Town or other designated conservation organization. Types of common open space include but are not limited to the following: (1) Community Garden and Greenhouse are areas for use by residents and others (not immediately adjacent to residential lots) that are planned and managed for growing vegetable and flowers. There should be pedestrian and vehicular access to the area as well as small amounts of visitor parking (this may include street parking). (2) Countryside Views are areas that facilitate public views of common open space (and other features that comprise the countryside character of West Bend) from existing arterials and collector roads adjacent to the proposed development. The view shed area should border a public right-of-way which primarily carries traffic generated by the general public rather than only vehicles associated with the immediate land use. (3) Cultivated Fields and Pastures are agricultural areas set aside for farming with a long-term management plan for continuous cultivation or use as pasture land for livestock. (4) Environmental Preserves are areas that preserve environmental features that enhance the health, environmental quality, social value, and natural beauty of the community. Preserves should include the environmental corridors (primary, secondary, and isolated natural resource areas), lakes and streams, wetlands, drainage ways, floodplains, habitat areas, wildlife habitats, woodlands, prairies, steep slopes, as identified by SEWRPC or other recognized surveys. These areas may also include public trail connections to view and, if feasible, enter the preserve. (5) Environmental Restorations are natural areas and landscapes designed for aesthetic impact to display different forms of plant materials using a traditional aesthetic approach of formal or picturesque gardening, botanical display, or environmental restoration. These landscapes are also designed to improve the ecological condition of the natural environment (for example, this may include restored prairies or wildlife habitats). These areas shall be designed by a recognized landscape architect or ecologist with substantial experience and professional credentials in landscape architecture, garden design, ecology or similarly appropriate field. These areas may include structures for aesthetic purposes as well as environmental management. These areas should also include public trail connections to view and, if feasible, enter the preserve. (6) Equestrian Common Open Spaces and Features are common open spaces, and related features, intended for equestrian use. These spaces are an essential and traditional component of the countryside character of the Town and should be maintained and expanded. These spaces include ranches, corrals, trails, fences, barns and stables, signage, and related facilities. Equestrian facilities should be connected to the overall equestrian trail system within the Town. When this is not feasible, plans should demonstrate how such facilities can be effectively integrated with the overall pattern of equestrian use within the community. (7) Forestation Areas are agricultural areas planted for commercial tree-growing businesses with long term management plans for continuous operation. The management plan for forestation areas, especially those used for commercial purposes, must demonstrate that it will be harvested in a manner that retains the aesthetic value of the plant materials as an amenity for surrounding property owners and members of the general public. (8) Gateway Features are specially designed and landscaped areas at the entrances to neighborhoods, districts, boulevards, and residential subareas. They should be located at primary entries to developments or neighborhoods from Town-wide arterials. They should contain significant visual features, built or natural. These may include trees, fences, ornamental landscapes, unique structures, or public art. (9) Landscaped Boulevards are the landscaped central medians that provide an aesthetic amenity and informal gathering place for residential neighborhoods. Boulevards shall be planted with rhythmic rows of trees along each side of the median and along the outer side of the public right-of-way. The edges of the median may include continuous hedges or ornamental fences that border the curb. The outer sides of the street may include sidewalks. The central median shall consist primarily of grass areas suitable for walking and informal uses. (10) Landscaped Cul-de-sac Islands are the landscaped central islands in cul-de-sac bulbs that provide an aesthetic amenity and informal gathering place for residential neighborhoods. Island shall be planted with trees, shrubs and perennial plantings to create a visual focus for the neighborhood. A central gathering space should be created within the island to allow gatherings by residents. The edges of the island may include continuous hedges or ornamental fences that border the curb to help enclose the space. (11) Neighborhood Parks and Squares are areas that afford opportunities for passive and/or active enjoyment of outdoor areas by residents and visitors both as individuals, informal groups, and organized groups. Typical activities include picnicking, strolling, sitting, private contemplation, conversing with friends and neighbors, child play, skating, informal sports, walking, jogging, and organized sports. The park shall be a public or semi-public place as defined above. Parks and squares shall be located within easy access of public rights-of-way, especially those with higher traffic volumes relative to the surrounding street system. The form shall be a simple shape (such as a square, rectangle, circle, ellipse, crescent, triangle, or trapezoid). Parks and squares shall be surrounded by a public right-of-way. The right-of-way should serve vehicles and include a sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway. Where possible, there should be on street parking available to the public along the edge of the park or square. The edge of the park or square must include a continuous row of trees, ornamental fence, or combination of those elements. There shall be clearly marked points of entry and gateways. The interior of the park may include a variety of features for passive enjoyment or active recreation. The ground may be grass, pavement, or other plant materials. There should be a clear understanding of whether or not the park or square will be owned by a public entity and, if not, the circumstances under which ownership of the park or square might be transferred to a public entity. (12) Orchards are agricultural areas planted as orchards with long term management plans for continuous operation. (13) Ornamental and Display Gardens are landscapes designed for aesthetic impact to display different forms of plant materials using a traditional aesthetic approach of formal or picturesque gardening, botanical display, or environmental restoration. These landscapes are also designed to improve the ecological condition of the natural environment (for example, this may include restored prairies or wildlife habitats). These areas should be designed by a recognized landscape architect or ecologist with substantial experience and professional credentials in landscape architecture, garden design, ecology or similarly appropriate field. These areas may include structures for aesthetic purposes as well as environmental management. (14) Parkway Landscapes are heavily landscaped areas along existing arterials. Parkways should include a double row of canopy shade trees planted in a rhythmic pattern with a walkway or bicycle path located between the rows. The parkway or edge should not include berms. (15) Play Areas are places with play equipment for children to play informally that should be located in parks and squares. Play areas shall have access from a trail or sidewalk and shall be connected to trail systems entering the park. Play areas should be sited within a small space or along the edge of a space and should have a clearly defined perimeter with fencing or hedges. (16) Scenic Drives are single-loaded vehicular rights-of-way which provide an open view of common open space. A pedestrian walkway must be included along at least one edge of the scenic drive. This may be a sidewalk, side path, or trail. The common open space area shall be at least sufficiently deep to provide a view of natural features rather than built areas. (17) Traditional Farmsteads are structures that reflect the agricultural and rural history of the Town, including farmhouses, barns, stables, and a variety of related facilities and common open space. Many of these, while not qualifying as historic landmarks using strict national or state standards, are still part of the cultural and visual history of the community. They provide an essential part of the character of the community and should be preserved. In general, such structures and facilities created prior to 1950 shall be considered as a traditional farmstead. Those components of the farmstead that are to be preserved should be documented by a local historic society or by a person with credentials in historic preservation. The proposed inclusion of the traditional farmstead must state what components of the farmstead will be preserved. A study of the historic properties of the Town of West Bend is available for reference. (18) Trails and Walkways promote broad social use of a linear system of paths for walking, horseback riding, or bicycling that connect trail users to rights-of-way and other public or semi-public places. These should be determined by the context of circulation, access points, and other common open space components that should be linked together. Trails should be located along the edge of other common open space or public rights-of-way. Trails should be physically separated from side or rear lot lines (approximately 25 feet). Trails shall be a continuous path and should link to all existing and proposed trails and rights-of-way that abut the perimeter of the development. Trails should be constructed with suitable materials for long term operation and maintenance. The suitability of the materials will be determined by the Town. There should be a clear understanding of whether or not the trail system will be owned by a public entity and, if not, the circumstance under which public access is allowed.
