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powerlines and landscaping to ensure that landscaping efforts are not wasted by putting the wrong tree in the wrong place, resulting in severely pruned canopies in the future. Therefore, staff proposes to "designate" a 30' zone next to high voltage powerlines (the area of FP&L's concerns) as an area requiring special attention in regard to canopy tree placement and species selection. For projects proposing to locate landscaping within this 30' zone, staffs proposal would require applicants to estimate the size and shape of the future mature tree canopy in relation to the actual horizontal and vertical location of adjacent powerlines. The amendments would require a minimum distance of 3' from the estimated edge of mature tree canopy to a powerline. The 3' separation distance is based upon -the National Electric Safety Code standard of requiring a 3' separation from an electrical service drop to an adjacent structure to avoid arcing between the electrical service and the adjacent structure. The 3' distance is also consistent with FP&L's suggested distance between powerlines and the edge of adjacent palm tree fronds. [Page 8 of the amendments) Changes have been made to special buffering requirements for loading docks that are proposed on sites adjacent to residential areas. As now proposed, an 8' wall requirement would apply only to projects that normally require frequent dock use (e.g. grocery stores, department stores, and big box retail). This approach was suggested at the June 26th PSAC meeting, and is now incorporated within the proposed amendments. Also, language similar to existing landscaping ordinance wording is proposed in regard to loading docks to ensure that the 8' wall would not be required where an intervening building or structure screens the dock from view from adjacent residential property. In staff s opinion, these proposed post -workshop changes reflect input and direction given by the Board at the September 8th workshop. Other matters addressed at the workshop, such as roadside landscaping provided by the public, fiuther corridor planning, and staff training and landscaping inspection practices, are being handled outside of the LDR amendment process. RECOMMENDATION.• Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners: Direct staff to make any necessary changes to the landscaping amendments and incorporate such amendments into an LDR ordinance; and 2. Announce its intentions to take final action on the proposed amendments at the Board's hearing scheduled for December 16, 1997 at 9:05 am. POST WORKSHOP VERSION PROPOSED LANDSCAPING/BUFFER LDR CHANGES (REVISED 11/14/97) 1. TREE SIZE REQUIREMENTS Amending landscaping chapter 926.06(2): (2) Drought tolerance requirements. A minimum of fifty (50) percent of total cumulative landscape plant material used to meet the provisions of this chapter shall be "moderately" or "very" drought tolerant, as classified and listed in the most recent edition of the "South Florida Water Management District Xeriscape Plant Guide" or a comparable publication. Existing native plant species preserved on- site may be considered as credit toward the drought tolerance percentage requirement. Amend landscaping chapter section 926.06(3)(a) -(d) as follows: (3) Trees. (a) Canopy trees 1. CanoDV trees shall be species having an average mature spread of crown of greater than fifteen (15) feet (under local climatic conditions) and eventually having a trunk(s) with over five (5) feet of clear wood. 2. Installed canopy trees shall be considered "mature" 7 years after installation. DECEMBER 1, 1997 -11- BOOK 103 PaGE a`�57