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Open Space Defined
Open space may be defined as land or water areas generally free from development
or developed
with low intensity uses that respect natural environmental characteristics. Open
space is
generally non-urban in character and may have utility for park and recreation
purposes;
conservation of land, water, or other natural resources; and for historic or
scenic purposes.
The California Government Code describes some of the more important uses of open
space.
• "Open space for the preservation of natural resources including, but not
limited to, areas
required for the preservation of plant and animal life, including habitat fish
and wildlife
species; areas required for the ecologic and other scientific study purposes;
rivers, streams,
bays and estuaries; and coastal beaches, lakeshores, banks of rivers and
streams, and
watershed lands.
• Open space used for the managed production of resources, including but not
limited to,
forest lands, rangeland, agricultural lands and areas of economic importance for
the
production of food or fiber; areas required for recharge of ground water basins;
bays,
estuaries, marshes, rivers and streams which are important for the management of
commercial fisheries; and areas containing major mineral deposits, including
those in short
supply.
• Open space for outdoor recreation, including but not limited to, areas of
outstanding
scenic, historic and cultural value; areas particularly suited for park and
recreation purposes,
including access to lakeshores, beaches, and rivers and streams; and areas which
serve as
links between major recreation and open-space reservations, including utility
easements,
banks of rivers and streams, trails, and scenic highway corridors.
• Open space for public health and safety, including but not limited to, areas
which require
special management or regulation because of hazardous or special conditions such
as
earthquake fault zones, unstable soil areas, floodplains, watersheds, areas
presenting high
fire risks, areas required for the protection of water quality and water
reservoirs and areas
required for the protection and enhancement of air quality.”
• Open space to control urban form, which may include the utilization of the
varied terrain
and natural drainage systems in guiding and controlling the form of development.
• Open space for scenic and visual enjoyment for relief from continuous urban
development
and to help provide for the preservation of areas having outstanding scenic
qualities.
Inasmuch as the intent of preserving open space is to conserve the natural
resources of the
City, the overlap between the Conservation Element and open space is apparent.
The Open
Space Element is also very closely tied to recreation and the City's park
system, and to
cultural resources which discusses the historic and cultural aspects of San
Diego.
OPEN SPACE 146
A direct association is made to the Seismic Safety Element in the identification
of
floodplains and steep slopes, both geological hazards, and a component of the
open space
system. And lastly the open space system is an integral implementation tool of
the Urban
Design Element in the creation of cohesive neighborhoods and communities.
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