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At the time this administrative approval was submitted, -staff discussed several alternatives with the applicants regarding means of providing extraordinary buffering, including other types of screening (walls and fences), utilizing a system of retaining walls to achieve greater berm height and allow sidewalks to be physically placed, and designing an on-site pedestrian system, all of which would meet the requirements of Section 19(L) and 23.3(e)5.b. After reviewing the alternatives, the applicant chose to pursue an appeal of the requirements for the provision of sidewalks. Alternatives: Staff's position is, as it has been in the past, that sidewalks are necessary improvements in commercial developments. Safety and convenience for pedestrians are the reasons why the ordinance, through reference of the FDOT "Manual" standards, states that sidewalks should be provided along all abutting right-of-way frontage. This policy is also in accordance with regulations governing sidewalk placement adjacent to or within new non- residential subdivisions. In addition, as mentioned previously, there are numerous ways for the developers to achieve their desired extraordinary buffering without deleting the required sidewalks. Staff has been authorized by the Board of County Commissioners to research and propose alternatives to the County's requirement for providing sidewalks in conjunction with industrial development . Staff is currently researching sidewalk requirement alternatives in industrial sites. However, such research will not affect sidewalk regulations applied to shopping centers. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners deny the appeal, upholding the Planning and Zoning Commission decision. Stan Boling, Chief of Current Development, reviewed the two main issues in this case: 1) the removal of required sidewalks along Bowline Drive; and 2) the desirability and opportunities for additional buffering between the shopping center and the single- family residences located on the west side of Bowline Dr. Mr. Boling advised that there is some contention that putting the sidewalk in the right-of-way somehow would make it more difficult or impossible to increase the buffering between the rear of the shopping center and the single-family homes across the street. Staff's position is that additional buffering can be provided with the sidewalk in the right-of-way as there is sufficient area between where the sidwalk would be placed and the property. The approved site plan shows a 2 -ft. berm with a hedge on top of it and trees between the parking spaces and the road JUN 28 1988 16 BOOK 73 r,,1E 109