03/22/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

September 2015 3-1 14-14979 3.0 SITE AND VICINITY CHARACTERIZATION 3.1 Site and Associated Facilities Delineation The FPL Property comprises approximately 2,842 acres in northeast Okeechobee County, Florida, located approximately 24 miles west of Vero Beach and 27 miles north-northeast of Okeechobee on the border with Indian River County (Figure 3.1-1). An existing paved road (226th Court)provides access to the property from SR 60. An existing transmission line right-of-way is located adjacent to portions of the northern and eastern property boundary. The Site for which certification is being sought is approximately 2,341 acres. The Site is located in portions of Sections 1, 2, 11, and 12, Township 33 South, Range 35 East. The Site includes the approximately 220-acre plant area where the new generating facilities will be located, along with construction laydown areas, parking, stormwater ponds, and associated infrastructure; an approximately 376-acre mitigation area; approximately 1,629 acres for potential future solar generation; and approximately 104 acres identified as open space(Figure 3.1-2). 3.1.1 Adjacent Properties and Nearby Areas The area within 1 mile of the OCEC Unit I is unincorporated Okeechobee County and unincorporated Indian River County. There are no municipal jurisdictions within a 5-mile radius of the OCEC Unit 1 (Figure 3.1-1). The existing land uses within 1 mile of the OCEC Unit I are consistent with the existing characteristics of the Site in that agricultural uses (i.e., farming, cattle, and horses) are predominant with scattered single-family and manufactured homes. There are two single-family residences within 1 mile of the OCEC Unit 1; one is situated north along the main access road, and one is situated near the eastern Site boundary. 3.1.2 One Hundred Year Flood Zone The Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) maps for the Site are shown as an overlay to the aerial image of the Site in Figure 3.1.2-1. As recorded on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Panel No.1201770075B and No.12061C0175H), the Site is situated within Zone C and Zone A within Okeechobee County and within Zone A and Zone X within Indian River County. Zones C and X are areas that are determined to be outside of the 100-year flood zone with minimal flooding. Zone A is a Special Hazard Area and is determined to be inundated by the 100-year flooding(FEMA,2015). 3.2 SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT The PPSA is a comprehensive and coordinated review process involving multiple agencies and local governments coordinated by the FDEP Siting Coordination Office. Through the PPSA, the State has 0 Attachment 1 b '� � 184