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mu 95 fAu 379 Much of the Indian River Lagoon shoreline, including parts of the subject property, contains environmentally important estuarine wetlands that are currently zoned RS -1 in the county zoning atlas: According to county Land Development Regulations-(LDRs), however, estuarine wetlands are deemed to be zoned Con -2, Estuarine Wetlands Conservation District (up to 1 unit/40 acres). The boundaries of estuarine wetlands are determined by a site specific environmental survey.. Future Land Use Pattern Site specific surveys have determined that approximately 233 acres on the eastern portion of the- subject property are estuarine wetlands, and therefore, would be designated C-2. Conservation -2, on the future land use map. Other estuarine wetlands, including land along the Indian River Lagoon both north and south of the subject property, and the land between the Forest Park Subdivision and the subject property also retain the C-2 land use designation. The C-2 designation allows conservation use, recreational use,.and ,residential use with densities of up to 1 unit/40 acres on site. The western 65 acres of the subject property, the Vista Royale Development, the Forest Park Subdivision, the Entomology Lab, and land south of the subject property are designated M-2, Medium - Density Residential -2, on the future land use map. ' The M-2 designation allows residential use with densities of up to 10 units/acre. Land containing the South Vero -Square Shopping Center, west of the southwest part of the subject property, is designated C/I, Commercial/Industrial Node, on the future land use map. The C/I designation allows commercial and industrial uses. Environment The subject property consists of ±40 acres of mature coastal/ tropical hammock, ±24 acres of scrubby flatwoods, 1 acre of isolated fresh water wetlands, and ±233 acres of impounded estuarine wetlands. Most of the wetlands on the site are within an "AE" 100 year floodplain, with a minimum base flood elevation requirement of 5 feet NGVD. Most of the site's uplands, however, are not within a'flood hazard area. According to a plant inventory of the subject.property, conducted by the local Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, the coastal/tropical hammock has obtained its mature, climax stage of growth. Some of the large live oaks dominating the canopy of the hammock are hundreds of years old, and are capable of living for many years to come. Approximately 20 rare plant species have been identified on site, including Simpson's Stopper, Coral -Root Orchid, and Whisk Fern. On the southwest corner of the property near Oslo Road and the South Vero Square Shopping Center, nuisance exotic Brazilian pepper has recently been cleared with county mitigation funds. Brazilian Pepper currently exists along impoundment dikes, while Australian pines exist on the property bordering the Forest Park Subdivision. The site is also home to many animal species, including several that are listed as threatened or endangered. Among the listed animals found on the site are the Eastern Indigo Snake, Gopher Tortoise, Atlantic Salt Marsh Water Snake, Bald Eagle, and Wood Stork. JUNE 139 1995 39