Condominium Space Considered

Condominium developers would be required to provide more open space, patios and recreational areas in their projects under a proposed ordinance to be voted on by the Hawthorne City Council April 23.

The ordinance, which was introduced Tuesday by Councilman Steven Andersen, would require developers to set aside 500 square feet of open, recreational space for every unit. Private yards, balconies and patios must make up at least 300 square feet of the total; the rest may be composed of common areas, such as swimming pools, putting greens, picnic or children’s play areas.

The ordinance also would prohibit developers from building multistory condominium projects on properties with less than one acre of land and would require them to leave five-foot yards on each side of their developments.

The City Council asked the Planning Department to draft the ordinance four months ago, after residents complained about the number of large-scale condominium developments in the city.