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JUL Kb 289 k Fc. PG�G� ,.;r_ In staff's opinion, granting these waivers would lessen the impact of the development on the environmentally sensitive lands. It is also staff's opinion that the requested reductions in normal size and dimension standards are adequately mitigated by the low density of the project and extent of open common area around the proposed lots. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: The subject property is comprised of 947,866 square feet of wetlands and 51,401 square feet of uplands. The applicant pro- poses to fill 55,321 square feet of wetlands contiguous to the existing upland to create the four lots and access road. There would be 922,601 square feet of wetlands remaining; that includes created wetlands. The proposed 4 lots are located within a mosquito impoundment. The wetland vegetation which exists within this impoundment is in generally good condition. The vegetation consists of mixed mangroves, high salt marsh vegetation and some exotics, mostly peppers. In accordance with section 2 3. 3 (F) (1) (a) and (b), the applicant must demonstrate that these are impacted, non-viable and non-functional wetlands. The applicant must meet the following criteria set out in section 23.3 (F) (1) (b) of the Zoning Code in order to receive a waiver from the Board of County Commissioners and be permitted to develop these four lots. b. "... Applicants for site plan review shall have an opportunity to demonstrate that any areas which are designated as wetlands within the confines of their property no longer function as wetlands. Areas iden- tified as wetlands using the criteria in "a" above, may receive a waiver from the Board of County Commissioners regarding designation provided that the applicant furnishes competent evidence indicating that a majority of the following factors preclude the area(s) from functioning as a viable wetland area: (i) Inadequate size; (ii) Isolation from similar or complementary habitats; (iii) Proximity to adjacent urban land uses; (iv) Disturbance or invasion of exotic species; (v) Lack of species diversity; (vi) Reduced frequency and length of inundation; and/or (vii) Reduced salinity levels and tidal influence. Any applicant who receives a waiver by the Board of County Commissioners allowing the alteration of nonvia- ble wetland areas shall be required to provide viable wetland areas through mitigation. Mitigation may be accomplished by the creation of entirely new wetland areas, which should be designed, constructed and main- tained in a manner to mimic natural areas. Mitigation may also be accomplished through the restoration of areas that were historically wetlands or through the enhancement of the functioning of existing areas which may have been previously disturbed or which may have the ability to provide additional or improved functions. 44