37-715

Requirements for major portions of public plazas

The major portion of a public plaza is the largest area of the public plaza and the area of primary use. Major portions shall be generally regular in shape, easily and directly accessible from adjoining buildings and public spaces, and continuously visible from within all portions of the public plaza and from adjoining public spaces. Major portions shall occupy no less than 75 percent of the total public plaza area.

(a)        All contiguous public plaza areas on a zoning lot shall be considered as one public plaza.

(b)        The shape and dimensions of a public plaza shall be such that all points within the major portion shall be visible when viewed perpendicular from each adjacent street. Corner public plazas that front on two streets that do not meet at a 90 degree angle must be fully visible when viewed perpendicular from one adjoining street and at least 50 percent of the public plaza must be visible when viewed perpendicular to the other adjoining street. For the purposes of this regulation, points that when viewed in plan may be joined by a straight line shall be considered visible one from the other; visibility between points shall not be affected by permitted obstructions or by changes of grade. Points within public plazas that front on three intersecting streets shall be treated as two corner public plazas.

The major portion of a public plaza shall be at least 75 percent of the public plaza's total area, except that in the case of a through block public plaza, pursuant to Section 37-717, a line drawn within 25 feet of the midblock line shall divide the through block public plaza into two areas that must separately meet all requirements of the public plaza regulations. The major portion of the public plaza shall be subject to the proportional requirements set forth in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Section.

(c)        The major portion of a public plaza shall have a minimum average width and depth of 40 feet. For public plazas that front on only one street, no more than 20 percent of the public plaza area may have a width of less than 40 feet. Dimensions shall be measured parallel and perpendicular to the street line on which the public plaza fronts.

(d)        For major portions of public plazas, the maximum width measured parallel to any one street shall not be greater than three times the average depth of the public plaza measured perpendicular to the street line or the average width measured parallel to any one street shall not be greater than three times the maximum depth of the public plaza measured perpendicular to the street line.

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