93-77 Design Criteria for Public Access Areas in Subdistrict F

Public access areas in Subdistrict F shall be comprised of publicly accessible open spaces, private streets and pedestrian ways.

(a)        Design criteria

Where private streets, pedestrian ways and publicly accessible open spaces, with the exception of the High Line, provide elements listed in this Section, such elements shall comply with the applicable minimum design standards, set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section, as a minimum design standard.

(1)        Seating

Seating shall meet the minimum and maximum dimensional standards set forth in paragraphs (1) through (7) of Section 37-741, inclusive.

(2)        Planting and trees

Where planting areas are provided, they shall meet the planting bed requirements and irrigation requirements of Section 37-742 (Planting and trees).

Where trees are provided, they shall meet the applicable minimum tree caliper standards, soil requirements and irrigation standards set forth in Section 37-742, except that within the Western Open Space, the Central Open Space and the Southwest Open Space, the soil requirements for tree planting shall not apply. In lieu thereof, all trees in the Central and Western Open Spaces shall be planted in areas with soil depth of at least five feet. In the Southwest Open Space, all trees shall be planted in continuous planted areas that have a minimum depth of five feet and a minimum area of 500 square feet of soil.

(3)        Paving

Paving, exclusive of the required asphalt paving of the West 31st and West 32nd Street Extension roadbeds, shall meet the minimum standards set forth in Section 37-718.

(4)        Steps

Steps shall meet the minimum dimensional standards set forth in Section 37-725.

(5)        Kiosks and open air cafes

Kiosks or open air cafes shall meet the operational and service requirements listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 37-73 (Kiosks and Open Air Cafes). Seating provided as part of an open air cafe shall not count towards meeting the seating requirements of a public access area listed in Section 93-75 (Publicly Accessible Open Spaces in Subdistrict F).

(6)        Standards of accessibility for persons with disabilities

All publicly accessible open spaces, private streets and pedestrian ways shall be designed pursuant to the standards of accessibility for persons with disabilities set forth in Section 37-728.

(7)        Lighting and electrical power

All publicly accessible open spaces, private streets and pedestrian ways shall provide lighting and electrical power pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 37-743.

(8)        Litter receptacles

All publicly accessible open spaces, private streets and pedestrian ways shall provide litter receptacles pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 37-744.

(9)        Bicycle parking

Bicycle racks sufficient to accommodate at least 25 bicycle parking spaces shall be provided in the Southwest Open Space, bicycle racks sufficient to accommodate at least 30 bicycle parking spaces shall be provided in the Central Open Space and bicycle racks sufficient to accommodate at least 33 bicycle parking spaces shall be provided in the Western Open Space. Such racks shall be located adjacent to a paved circulation path within the open space or in public sidewalks adjacent to the open space.

(10)        Playgrounds and additional amenities

Where playgrounds and additional amenities are provided in publicly accessible open spaces, such amenities shall be designed pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 37-748.

(11)        Signs

All open spaces within the publicly accessible open spaces shall provide open space signage pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 37-751.

(12)        Canopies, awnings, marquees and sun control devices

Where buildings front onto publicly accessible open spaces, private streets and pedestrian ways, canopies, awnings, marquees and sun control devices shall be permitted pursuant to the standards set forth in paragraph (c) of Section 37-726 (Permitted obstructions).

(13)        Gates and fences

Gates, fences or other barriers shall be permitted at the perimeter of any playgrounds, tot lots or dog runs provided as part of a publicly accessible open space or pedestrian way. Additional gates, fences or other barriers shall be permitted in the Midblock Connection, the Southwest Open Space and the High Line only as approved as part of the site and landscape plans submitted pursuant to Section 93-78 (Site and Landscape Plans for Public Access Areas in Subdistrict F).

Such gates, fences or other barriers shall have a maximum height of 48 inches, as measured from the adjoining grade level, and shall be at least 70 percent open. However, where gates, fences or other barriers are mounted on a solid curb, such minimum transparency shall not include the surface area of the curb, provided that the height of such curb does not exceed six inches.

Chain link fencing or barbed or razor wire shall not be permitted.

(14)        Public restrooms

At least one public restroom shall be provided to serve either the Central Open Space or the Western Open Space, whichever is developed first pursuant to the provisions of Section 93-78. Such public restroom shall provide separate restroom spaces for each gender, and may be located in either the publicly accessible open space or within the ground floor of any adjacent building.

(b)        Maintenance

The owner of each of Sites 1 through 6 in Subdistrict F shall be responsible for the maintenance of all publicly accessible open spaces, private streets and pedestrian ways, including, but not limited to, litter control, management of pigeons and rodents, maintenance of required lighting levels, and the care and replacement of furnishings and vegetation within the portion of the Subdistrict associated with such site in the phased development provided in the site and landscape plans required pursuant to Section 93-78. Notwithstanding the foregoing, maintenance of the High Line shall be governed by such agreements as are entered into with respect thereto.

(c)        Interim use

Open uses listed in Use Group 4B, with the exception of cemeteries and golf courses, shall be permitted as interim uses within the designated boundary of any public access area described in Sections 93-75 or 93-76 (Publicly Accessible Private Streets and Pedestrian Ways in Subdistrict F) with the exception of the High Line open space, or within the designated boundary of any development site described in Section 93-56 (Special Height and Setback Regulations in Subdistrict F). Such interim uses may be developed prior to the approval of the site and landscape plans for the public access area in which it is located, and may continue until such time as development commences on such public access area pursuant to the approved site and landscape plans. Any such interim uses shall be open to and usable by the public, and may include temporary structures, provided that all associated floor area is appurtenant to the interim use.