13.

0
Community Space
13.1 Intent
13.2 General Standards
13.3 Connect with Nature Standards
13.4 Playscape Standards
13.5 Plaza Standards
13.6 Community Garden / P-Patch Standards
13.7 Pet Amenity Standards

13.1 Intent
The Community Space in an urban environment serves
Connected to Nonmotorized Circulation Facilities,
many functions: it is the center of a District’s activities, this plaza includes a variety of trees and seating
assists in orientation, it is an outdoor room for social areas.
interaction, and provides variety in recreation and the
built environment. Its design should be Pedestrian
Friendly, create meaningful Public Realm, which invites
use. Adjacent buildings should engage with the
Community Space, to ensure it is vibrant and lively.
This Chapter provides standards for both required
Community Spaces and encouraged activities. These
Design standards support the Development standards
found in Chapter 7.0, Community Space.
Connected to restaurants and other Community
13.2 General Standards Spaces, this plaza includes landscaping, shade and
A. Variety. Types of Community Spaces will vary outdoor café seating.
depending on the type and scale of developments to
support and enhance the Public Realm. Community
Spaces may include, but not be limited to, passive
and/or active spaces, courtyards, picnic areas,
plazas, gardens and P-patches, play areas, open-air
lawns, outdoor café seating adjacent to the
landscaping of the street, playgrounds adjacent to
green space, other recreational amenities, informal
gathering space, smaller pocket park, or large
festival plaza.
Using a natural feature as an amenity, this open
1. Each Neighborhood shall have a memorable space includes viewing areas, interpretive signage and
and inviting Community Space that captures its seating to provide a connection with nature, as well
as places for small wildlife. (Tanner Park/The
character and focuses energy in a central Pearl District Guide)
location. They should be designed for people

Design Standards: 13.0 Community Space

Updated Ord 2754, 12-22-15 Page 1 of 7
 to navigate to them, to be Pedestrian Friendly,
and an integral part of the Public Realm.

2. Community spaces shall be designed to be

multi-functional and make the most of every
square foot and accommodate flexible
programming and activities. The whole
composition of the Community Space,
including streets, trees, lighting, street furniture,
walkways, landscape areas, building massing and This plaza is accessible to all people and, because
detailing defines a place for employees, of the canopy, is useable year-round. (urbanpolitic
residents and visitors to stroll, meet, play and blogspot com)
socialize.

B. Integration. Community Spaces shall integrate

with the location and scale of adjacent streets,
buildings, and uses. Community Spaces shall be
located at or close to ground level and be visible
from a public street or internal street.

1. Community Spaces shall be framed by placing a

building or strong edge on at least one side,
preferably more. Where they cannot be framed
by buildings, an active use, architectural
elements, or possibly landscape to create an
appropriate sense of enclosure shall be
provided.

2. Circulation Facilities may expand or supplement

the Community Space through the selection and This Through Block Passage connects Circulation
placement of paving, street trees, lighting and Facilities and buildings yet also provides a green
art. Community Space.
a. When nonmotorized Circulation Facilities
are adjacent, the Community Space should
be integrated with the Circulation Facility.
b. When adjacent Circulation Facilities include
a vehicular component, the number of
edges shared with a Community Space
should be minimized.
Enclosed on two sides by buildings, this corner
3. Community Spaces shall be located away from
community space serves as seating for the adjacent
surface parking lots. Solar orientation shall be a businesses, as a pass-through for pedestrians, and
contributing factor in locating and designing is at the perfect scale with the surrounding uses.
Community Spaces to create the opportunity
for both sun and shade. Community Spaces
should provide a balance between both.

Design Standards: 13.0 Community Space

Updated Ord 2754, 12-22-15 Page 2 of 7
4. The scale shall be appropriate to the
Community Space’s function and adjacent uses.
Community Spaces should not feel empty,
barren, or too big when not in use. For instance,
a small office development may have an
enlarged area at or near the building entry with
courtyard, seating, and raised planters (perhaps
20’ x 20’ or 400 square feet), while a large mixed This gathering area includes weather protection,
landscaping and artwork, yet is in scale with the
use development may have a large plaza adjacent buildings. (Amazon/Lake Union)
(perhaps 100’ x 100’ or 10,000 square feet) for
outdoor café seating and plazas that can
accommodate special events.

5. Community Spaces should provide places where

people can be outdoors. Where possible,
Community Spaces should provide
opportunities for people to connect with nature.
To preserve views of the forested hillsides of
Tiger, Squak, and Cougar Mountain and Mt. A water feature and landscaping gives visitors to this
Rainier, Community Spaces shall be designed to plaza a sensory experience. (Nasher/Dallas Morning
preserve views of the forested hillsides of Tiger, News)
Squak and Cougar Mountains, Sammamish
Plateau, Mt. Rainier as described in 11.2 G
Views and Vistas, and adjacent creeks and
streams.

6. Community Spaces shall create appeal to the

senses: the sound of water, the smell of plants,
and the heat of fire. Sensory experiences may
vary with the season, with water being present
in the summer and a fire lit in the winter.
Hardscape with landscape included to soften Metal sculptures are the center piece for this
the Space, with consideration of the uses, Community Space that is sized to accommodate
Special Events. (The Interim Art Space at Burien's
activities, and variety of other Community Town Square)
Spaces nearby. Unique and fun experiences
such as fountains, sculptures, and/or other
artwork should be provided. Spaces that can
accommodate Special Events and other spaces
that are more intimate should both be
considered. The range in a Neighborhood
should include active and passive, small and
large, reflective and recreational, trails for
moving along and spaces for lingering.

7. Landscape, lighting, architectural elements,

Weather protection provides year round use of this
natural or natural looking materials, and/or Community Space. (Terry Thomas Building
amenities shall be used to structure and define courtyard)
Community Spaces as well as make them
Design Standards: 13.0 Community Space
Updated Ord 2754, 12-22-15 Page 3 of 7
 comfortable, functional, and provide a sense of
safety. In addition to the amenities discussed
elsewhere in this Chapter, water and electrical
outlets shall be provided to facilitate use for a
variety of events and users. Community Spaces
shall be located where they will be visible from
adjacent units or occupied spaces to ensure
safety.

8. Some portion of the Community Spaces shall

be usable year round. For outdoor spaces, this
may be a pergola, gazebo, pavilion, and/or
provided indoor spaces, or generally continuous
Above: A variety of seating areas, weather protection
(50-75% depending on the level of pedestrian and landscaping provides for use during all seasons.
activity and building’s use) weather protection (Redmond Town Center)
along retail streets. Materials that allow light to
penetrate the weather protection should be
considered to enhance outdoor spaces.

9. Design elements that extend a Community

Spaces’ hours of use and months of use should
be used, such as lighting and weather
protection.

10. A variety of seating opportunities shall be

provided, especially in larger Community Above/Below: Both of these plazas incorporate play
Spaces. This should include moveable and fixed for all ages. (Pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
seating as well as seat walls, steps, boulders, and
other multi-use objects. A portion of required
Community Spaces may be reserved seating for
restaurants, cafés, espresso stands, etc. Clear,
direct pedestrian routes are required, at least 5
to 8 feet wide, depending on the level of
pedestrian activity, the destinations, and scale of
the Community Space.

11. Temporary or small permanent structures such Below: This Shared Use Route provides connection
as kiosks, food trucks, vendor carts, concessions with nature as well as separation from vehicular
should be considered. traffic. (Pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)

12. Clear and intuitive Wayfinding shall be included

in Community Spaces to illustrate connections
of Community Spaces to Green Necklace.

13.3 Connect with Nature Standards

Design Standards: 13.0 Community Space

Updated Ord 2754, 12-22-15 Page 4 of 7
 Issaquah Creek and Tibbetts Creek are focal spots that
provide a natural green edge within the Central
Issaquah area. Critical areas and their buffers also can
provide the opportunity for connecting with nature
while preserving the value and function of the critical
area. Lake Sammamish State Park, Tibbetts Valley Park
and Confluence Park provide a green edge just outside
Central Issaquah as well.

A. Community Spaces should have access to

recreational hiking trails as well as passive uses,
enjoyment of nature, picnicking, or informal play.
B. Community Spaces should have clear links to the
Active Transportation Facilities to ensure the vision
of connected, pedestrian friendly Neighborhoods
that are connected with nature. Clear and intuitive
wayfinding shall be used to communicate how to
access the Green Necklace and adjacent parks and
natural areas.
Above: Sculptures provide areas for kids to climb and
play, while adults relax in available seating. Creative
paving, seasonal landscaping and lighting elements add
to the attractiveness. Covered, yet outdoors, this plaza
is used in all seasons by all ages. (Flickr: Shaw
Horton Redmond Town Center)

13.4 Playscape Standards

A. Measures necessary to protect children’s safety from
vehicular traffic shall be included, such as low
fencing or landscaping to provide a physical barrier. Above: Creative play elements also provide seating and
a barrier from vehicular traffic. Landscaping, lighting
B. Shade and rest areas for supervision shall be and special pavement make this plaza interesting.
(Pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
provided through the use of deciduous landscaping,
architectural elements, temporary structures, or
other means.

C. Natural, creative play elements for free and/or

structured play shall be provided. These elements
do not have to be overtly for play but should
support, allow, and even encourage play by
children. For instance, ground slides from one level
to another, tricycle tracks, swings hung from arbors
Above: Trees, seasonal planting, seating, weather
or trees, paths that meander and are of varying
protection and connected to Nonmotorized Circulation
materials and widths, water that can be manipulated, Facilities makes this plaza a popular gathering space.
outdoor rooms made from landscape or rocks, (Juanita Village)
berms and hills.

D. Play areas shall be designed for a variety of ages,

activities, fine and gross motor skills.

13.5 Plaza Standards

Above:
Design Trees, seating
Standards: 13.0and special pavement
Community Space provide a
softened placeOrd
Updated among
2754,the high risePage
12-22-15 buildings.
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Courthouse, Seattle/Heartland)
 A. Plazas should be constructed with concrete, pavers,
or special paving material.

B. Appropriate paving and materials, changes in plane,

landscape, and art shall be provided to soften and
make the space interesting.

C. Root barriers should be provided for all trees

planted within Plazas.

D. The spacing, location and type of required street

trees may be modified when adjacent to a Plaza.
Above: Trees, landscaping, benches and bike parking
E. Seating should be provided. The seating should be provide a central gathering area for adjacent uses.
fixed or moveable, or a combination of both.
Seating may be provided by ledges, fountains,
sculptures, benches, chairs, stairs, etc. At least two
of the seats should meet ADA standards.

F. Plazas may have reserved seating so long as the

main purpose of the plaza is not compromised.
Even an encouraged Community Space should have
at least some area for community use. For example,
a plaza that is intended solely for reserved Above: This plaza is used as outdoor café seating by
restaurant seating is allowed but would not be adjacent restaurants, however all are welcome to use this
considered an encouraged Community Space. Community Space. Trees, landscaping, seating and
pedestrian signage are provided.
G. Permanent structures may be provided within a
Plaza, provided they do not preclude use of and
access to the plaza by the general public. Structures
may be enclosed or open air and may be leased for
commercial use.

H. Physical obstructions between a plaza and a

sidewalk or park should be designed to provide
sufficient visibility to protect the public safety of the
Above: P- Patches should be protected from wildlife
users of the plaza and to ensure that public access and be functional and self-sufficient for its users.
to the plaza is convenient, obvious and welcoming.

13.6 Community Garden/P-Patch Standards

A. Sheds and storage for tools, wheelbarrows/wagons,
and materials, such as compost shall be provided.

B. Access to water such as hose bibs and rain barrels

shall be provided.

Above: Trees, seating and special pavement provide a

softened Standards:
Design place amonth 13.0
the high rise buildings.Space
Community (UKS
Courthouse, Seattle/Heartland)
Updated Ord 2754, 12-22-15 Page 6 of 7
 C. Signs that include rules of use and P-Patch
etiquette, including restricting pesticide use should
be provided.

D. Electricity shall be provided.

E. A site with good sun exposure shall be provided for

Community Garden/P-Patch.

F. Locate Community Gardens to reduce wildlife

access, such as locating it on a rooftop. If location
does not reduce wildlife access, consider decorative
fence around total perimeter.

G. Vehicular access shall be provided to facilitate Above: Access to potable water should be provided in
delivery of materials and unloading. pet amenity areas. (pbcgov.com)

H. Composting facilities should be provided.

13.7 Pet Amenity Standards

A. Places where pets can be outdoors should be
provided.

B. Appropriate opportunities for bodily functions shall

be provided, including pet pickup stations.

C. Opportunities for pet play should be considered.

D. Access to potable water should be provided in pet

amenity areas. Above: Signage for pet pickup stations can add whimsy
to a pet area. (blog.petsolutions.com)

Design Standards: 13.0 Community Space

Updated Ord 2754, 12-22-15 Page 7 of 7