37-715 - Requirements for major portions of public plazas

LAST AMENDED
10/17/2007

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#.