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• In June 1997, staff met with Horizon representatives and FDOT's landscape architect, Carl Higgins, and, in October 1997, staff met with Horizon representatives and its landscape architect, Frank Johnson. Subsequently, Horizon submitted to staff a detailed conceptual landscape plan, and staff responded with comments and a request for estimated maintenance costs. Now, staff has received revised landscape Plans, some estimated maintenance cost information, and a written proposal from Horizon (see attachment #5). Staff has analyzed the proposal and is presenting the request for Board consideration. ANALYSIS: •Policy Considerations Having Special landscaping in the I-95/SR 60 road right-of-way is encouraged and anticipated in the adopted SR 60 Corridor Plan (see attachment 42).In fact, in the fall of 1996 when staff informed the SR 60 Task Force of discussions with Horizon about special interchange landscaping, task force members whole-heartedly supported the idea Also, as discussed at the SR 60 Corridor Plan adoption hearing last spring, the Board has approved design, installation, and maintenance of special landscaping as part of the county's Kings Highway road project. At its landscaping workshoplast September, the Board re -affirmed its support for special roadway landscaping to considermaintenancey P� and its commitment priority e funding Edi g a CR o a proles b' Project basis. Because the Board has given a dor Planning, the Board should consider that commitments to special landscaping at the I-95/SR 60 interchange could prompt a similaropportunity at the I-95/CR 512 interchange. In staff's opinion, it would be consistent with the SR 60 Corridor Plan and the Board's stated policy to commit to landscaping the I-95/SR 60 interchange area. *Landscaping Plan The Proposed design is a conceptual master plan of the I-95/SR 60 area that roughly corresponds to the SR 60 Corridor Plan's north and south boundaries at I-95. The conceptual plan lays out an overall design intended to: 1 • Accent and tie into the pattern of existing natural and planted vegetation within the I-95 medians and interchange area. 2• Line the interchange on and of ramps with Palms, entryway features. shrubs, and bahia sod to provide clean 3. Provide symmetrical, bemed I-95 median landscape features with mass plantings immediately north and south of SR 60. 4. Provide babia sod around special median landscape features and roadway -95 lane edges and inside lane edges adjacent to the median) to provide a cls ( look. outside 5. Provide an unigation system with options to save on maintenance and/or installation costs by scaling -back from 1000/- coverage and by disconnecting the system after landscaping is established (after 1 year). The system could be re -activated in fixture years if needed or desired. The design and species selection are intended to minimize maintenance needs while providing ""tic impac" Pmt material list fothe overall ed are reduced copies of the conceptual landscape plans and the proposed Prepared to address any Board P� (see attachments #3 and #4). Final landscape Plans could be final plans. and the Board could require its review and approval of any The Project is proposed in three Phages, as follows: Phase 1: Existing I-95 median Plantings installed by FDOT Phase 2: I-95 median plantings (next phase, 1998) Phase 3: Entrance%xit ramp phmtings (last phase, to be coordinated with anticipated MOT ramp/SR 60 improvements). *Commitments & Funding To date, Horizon has committed resources to design a conceptual landscape plan and gather maintenance cost information. In addition, Horizon is willing to commit installation funds that will provide a match for highway beautification grants. When FDOT installed the existing Washingtonian palm and Seagrape Plantings, FDOT used discretionary funds. At that time, FDOT anticipated that the county would take over the maintenance of those plantings as part of some future grant application FDOT anticipates that a series of FDOT grants and discretionary monies, along with Horizon's contributions, will fiord installation costs for more landscaping. The county's commitment will be perpetual maintenance (and replacement) costs. Under the proposal, commitments would be as follows: Horizon Groun Inc Design and prepare all landscape plans. Prepare Florida Highway Beautification Grant application in coordination with county staff. Fund a significant portion of installation costs (to match beautification grants on a 50/50 basis). JANUARY 13, 1998 47 -BOOK �� FAJ104