HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/17/1992BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1992
5:01 P.M. - COMMISSION CHAMBERS
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
1840 25TH STREET
VER.O BEACH, FLORIDA .
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Carolyn K. Eggert, Chairman ( Dist. 2 )
Margaret C. Bowman, Vice Chairman ( Dist. 1)
Richard N. Bird (Dist. 5)
Don C. Scurlock, Jr. (Dist. 3)
John W. Tippin (Dist. 4)
James E. Chandler, County Administrator
Charles P. Vitunac, County Attorney
Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk to the Board
5:01 P.M. FIRST HEARING: PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
(LDR) AMENDMENTS
( memorandum dated September 10, 1992 )
ANYONE WHO MAY WISH TO APPEAL ANY DECISION WHICH MAY BE MADE
AT THIS MEETING WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE WHICH INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND
EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL WILL BE BASED.
ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING MAY
CONTACT THE COUNTY'S AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
COORDINATOR AT 567-8000 X408 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF
MEETING
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SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, September 17, 1992
The Board of County" Commissioners of Indian River County,
Florida, met in Regular Session at the County Commission Chambers,
1840 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Thursday, September 17,
1992, at 5:01 o'clock P. M. Present were Margaret C. Bowman, Vice
Chairman; Richard N. Bird; Don C. Scurlock, Jr.; and John W.
Tippin. Absent was Chairman Carolyn K. Eggert who was in the
hospital. Also present were James E. Chandler, County
Administrator; Charles P. Vitunac, County Attorney; and Patricia
Held, Deputy Clerk.
The Vice Chairman called the meeting to order.
FIRST HEARING: PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (LDR)
AMENDMENTS
The hour of 5:01 o'clock P. M. having passed, the County
Attorney announced that this public hearing has been properly
advertised as follows:
P.O. Box 1268 Vero Beach, Florida 32961 562-2315
COUNTY OF INDIAN RIVER Journal
STATE OF FLORIDA
Before the undersigned authority personally appeared J.J.
Schumann, Jr. who on oath says that he is Business Manager of the
Vero Beach Press -Journal, a newspaper published at Vero Beach in
Indian River County, Florida; that
billed t ? %[LM
was published In said newspaper in the issue(s) 4
Sworn tto�and subscribed before me this
Business Manager
(SEAL)
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F� NOTICE OF ESTABLISHMENT OR CHANGE OFA.;;
AIAND- DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS) :-.
AFFECTING THE USE OF LAND
CHANGE IN
ORIGINALLY ADVERTISED HEARING DATES ,1z,
The Indian - River County Board of County Commissioners proposes to
adopt or change a regulation(s) affecting the use of land for the area shown
in map in this advertisement.
At the advertised,' originbi public hearing of September 3, 1992,,the
Board of County Commissioners voted to delay the two public hearings on:,
thesod regulation(s) affecting the use of land. The public hearings will
proposed
on Thursday, ursday, September 17, 1992 at 5:01 p.m. and one on",
Tuesday, September 29, 1992 at 5:01 p.m. in the County Commission Cham-.
bers in the County Administration Building located at 1840 25th. Street,, Vero
Beach, Florida.
Proposed changes to the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) effective in
the unincorporated area of the county include changes, the following LDR``.`
chapters:
• Chapter 901, Definitions
• Chapter 902, Administrative Mechanisms
Chapter 910, Concurrency Management System
• Chapter 911, Zoning
• Chapter 912, Single -Family Development
• Chapter 913, Subdivisions and Plats
• Chapter 914, Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures
• Chapter 918, Sanitary Sewer and Potable Water Regulations
• Chapter 1925, Open Burning/Air Curtain Incinerator Regulations.
Chapter 926, Landscape and Buffer Regulations
• Chapter 927, Tree Protection and Land Clearing
9 Chapter 930, Stormwater Management and Floodpigin Protection
0 Chapter 952, Traffic
• Chapter apter 953, Fairshare Roadway Improvements
Chapter 954, Off -Street Parking
• Chapter 956,. Sign Regulations
• Chapter 971, Regulations for Specific Land Use Criteria
Chapter 972, Temporary Uses
A copy of the proposed ordinance will be available at the Planning Divi-
sion Office on the'second floor of the Copinty Administration Building begin -r.
n.ing September 11, 1992.
Anyone who may wish to appeal any decision which may be made at this
meeting will need to *ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings
is
made, which. includes the testimony and evidence upon whicifthoeceae appeal is
based.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BY -s- CAROLYN K. EGGERT, CHAIRMAN,
....... . . . . . . . . . . .
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Iiiji 1 0 4
........................................
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY- UNINCORPORATED AREA
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The Board reviewed memo from Planning Director Stan Boling
dated September 9, 1992:
TO: James Chandler
County Administrator
DIVISION HEAD CONCURRENCE:
z2z 0.'--1-'"
OF
Robert M. Ke t g, A
Community Developmen Director
FROM: Stan Boling ICP
Planning Director
DATE: September 9, 1992
SUBJECT: Proposed Land Development Regulations (LDRs) Amendments
It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal
consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at its special
meeting of September 17, 1992.
BACKGROUND:
On September 3, 1992, the Board of County Commissioners convened an
advertised and scheduled special public hearing to consider a
proposed ordinance amending the county's LDRs. The September 3rd
meeting was to be the first of two required public hearings (the
second hearing had been scheduled for September 17, 1992). At the
meeting, the Board voted 3-0 to delay the first hearing until
September 17, 1992 to allow for participation of a full Board.
Subsequently, at its September 7, 1992 regular meeting, the Board
directed staff to schedule the required second hearing for
September 29, 1992. Therefore, based upon the Board's direction,
staff has readvertised the public hearings as follows:
1st Public Hearing: Thursday, September 17, 1992 at 5:01 p.m.
2nd Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 29, 1992 at 5:01 p.m.
The Board is now to conduct the first of two public hearings to
consider adoption of the proposed ordinance (see attachment #1).
At this first hearing, the Board is to consider the proposed
ordinance and direct staff to make any necessary changes to the
ordinance'. Final action is to be undertaken at the second public
hearing on September 29, 1992.
ANALYSIS:
Staff's original report and recommendation to the Board for the
September 3rd hearing (memo from Stan Boling to James Chandler
dated August 27, 1992) are still relevant to the proposed ordinance
and the Board's deliberations. However, staff has included with
this memo an updated version of the proposed ordinance (see
Attachment #1). This updated "9/10/92" version of the proposed
ordinance differs from the previously distributed 118/27/92" version
of the proposed ordinance in the following two respects:
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SEP 17 1992
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coax 87 .��,,69 7
1. Several minor wording or format changes and corrections have
been made. The places within the ordinance where these
changes have been made are highlighted as indicated in
Attachment 1.
2. Ordinance sections or portions of sections which have been
changed since the Professional Services Advisory Committee
(PSAC) or Planning and Zoning Commission review, or which have
been changed based upon direction given by the PSAC or
Planning and Zoning Commission, have been highlighted as
indicated in Attachment 1.
The PSAC is scheduled to consider a new LDR concurrency proposal at
its September 10, 1992 meeting. A copy of the proposal to be
considered by the PSAC is attached (see Attachment 2). Staff will
present the PSAC's recommendation to the Board at the Board's
September 17, 1992 LDR hearing.
RECOMMENDATION:
As recommended in its previous report, staff recommends that the
Board of County Commissioners:
1. Provide staff with direction(s) for any changes to the
proposed ordinance; and
2. Announce its intention to take final action on the;:proposed
ordinance at the public hearing scheduled for Tuesday,
September 29, 1992 at 5:01 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
The Board reviewed memo from Planning Director Stan Boling
dated August 27, 1992:
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TO: James Chandler
County Administrator
DIVISION HEAD CONCURRENCE:
Obert M. Kea ng, AXCP
Community DevelopmiWt Director
FROM: Stan Boline,r5ICP
Planning Director
DATE: August 27, 1992
SUBJECT: First Hearing: Proposed Land Development Regulations
(LDR) Amendments
It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal
consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at :its special
meeting of September 3, 1992.
BACKGROUND AND CONDITIONS:
In the past several months, various LDR amendment.proposals have
been initiated by staff, the Professional Services Advisory
Committee (PSAC), the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC),
and the Board of County Commissioners. Draft proposed amendments
have been reviewed by county staff and by the PSAC. At its June
18th and July 9th meetings, the PSAC considered draft proposals and
made various recommendations for changes or modifications.
Planning staff incorporated the PSAC recommendations into the
current proposals. Also, the Planning and Zoning Commission
considered draft proposals at its July 23, 1992 meeting. Planning
staff has incorporated changes recommended by the Planning and
Zoning Commission, and has drafted a single ordinance which
addresses all of the previously referenced initiatives.
The Board is now to conduct the first of two public hearings to
consider adoption of the proposed ordinance. [The second public
hearing is scheduled for 5:01 p.m. on Thursday, September 17,
1992.] The Board is to now consider the proposed ordinance and
direct staff to make any changes to the ordinance which the Board
feels should -be made prior to final action.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed ordinance contains 40 sections (see attachment #1).
Sections 1'- 36 contain actual proposed LDR amendments. Sections
37 - 40 contain standard legal requirements included in all county
ordinances. A brief description of each section follows.
SECTION 1: relates to Sections 13, 14, and 35 and establishes a
definition for "accessory single family dwelling unit". Such
accessory units, which are intended to function like "mother-in-law
units" or garage apartments or attached "efficiency" units, would
be accessory to single family homes and would be subject to the
regulations in Section 35 of the proposed ordinance.
SECTION 2: relates to Sections 4, 7, 20, and 34 of the proposed
ordinance by establishing a definition for "Private land clearing
debris burning facility". This definition is intended to apply to
a site where land clearing debris from various development sites
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and land clearing contractors is consolidated and burned as part of
a permanent operation. This definition is not intended to apply to
the temporary burning'of land clearing debris allowed by LDR
Chapter 925 regulations.
SECTION 3: relates to Section 20, and establishes a definition of
"rural land clearing". The proposed definition along with changes
proposed in ordinance Section 20 would specifically allow open
burning (no incinerator required) in agricultural areas west of I-
95, subject to applicable state requirements.
SECTION 4: relates to Sections 2, 20, and 34, and *establishes a
definition for "habitable structure". This definition is necessary
in applying regulations relating to temporary and permanent debris
burning sites because special setbacks are required between
habitable structures and burn areas. "Habitable structures" are
defined to be buildings where persons live, work, or shop.
SECTION 5: provides specific legal authority for the county's past
and present procedure of allowing violators of the county's
environmental regulations (eg. tree protection, land clearing) the
option to appear before the Hoard of County Commissioners for a
determination of violation and fine and/or restitution.
SECTION 6: provides an option to a developer to delay payment of
traffic and utility impact fees (owed in relation to a project's
initial concurrency certificate) for up to 90 days after site plan
approval. Under current requirements, traffic and utility impact
fees must be paid prior to site plan approval since such impact fee
payments are required to "reserve" traffic and utilities capacity
and obtain an initial concurrency certificate. This 90 day grace
period should allow developers sufficient time to close land
purchases and finalize financing arrangements prior to paying -out
funds for impact fees. At the same time, the 90 day period does
not appear to be too long of a time period to allow a developer to
reserve and "lock-up" potentially scarce roadway and utilities
capacity free of charge.
SECTION 7: relates to Sections 2, 41 20, and 34, amending the
zoning code use table to allow "Private land clearing debris
burning facilities" as special exception uses in all three of the
county's agricultural zoning districts (A-1, A-2, and A-3). As
proposed, such a use would be allowed only in the agricultural land
use districts. Issues related to the burning of land clearing
debris are analyzed in more detail in Sections 20 and 34 of this
report.
SECTION 8: would allow places of worship within the OCR (Office
Commercial Residential) and PRO (Professional Office) districts as
a permitted use. Places of worship 'are currently allowed as
permitted uses in all other commercial districts, except the MED
(Medical) and CN (Neighborhood Commercial) districts, and would be
compatible within the OCR and PRO districts. A recent, informal
proposal for a place of worship in an OCR district has made staff
aware that there is interest in establishing places of worship in
these districts.
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SECTION 9: provides for two changes, and would:
1. Waive the S.R. 60 75' building setback for lots along S.R. 60
having a depth of 150' or less. Such a provision would
alleviate the potential problem of restricting development of
some Paradise Park Subdivision lots along S.R. 60 to a zero
(0) buildable area. Instead of the 75' setback, the normal
frontyard setbacks applicable to the zoning district in which
the lot is located would apply to such lots.
2. Establish a buffer requirement along I-95. Currently, most of
I-95 through Indian River County has a rural or "natural
buffer" appearance. However, some developments have occurred
which expose the "backyards" of warehousing and industrial
establishments to I-95 traffic. The proposed opaque feature
and canopy tree requirement, which allows for preservation of
existing vegetation to meet the tree requirement, would
provide some visual buffer along I-95 and ensure a good
appearance that provides an aesthetic entrance to Vero Beach
and Sebastian and could help promote the image of "clean
industrial" development around the county's I-95
commercial/industrial nodes.
The costs associated with this regulation for a cleared site
would generally'be the cost of'installing opaque slats in a
chain link fence (most developments along I-95 already
construct a 6' security fence along the I-95 frontage) and the
installation of one canopy tree every ±30 feet. Drought
tolerant, native canopy trees which meet county landscape
requirements and which do not require automatic irrigation
cost about $200 a piece, installed. Costs should be less on
sites containing trees and vegetation which could be
preserved.
SECTIONS 10 - 14: relate to two affordable housing initiatives.
a. One proposal is to change the zoning district use table to
allow "Accessory Dwelling Units" in relation to single-family
homes in the A-1, A-2, A-3, RFD, RS -1, RS -2, RS -3, RS -6, RT -6,
RM -3, RM -4, RM -6, RM -8, and RM -10 districts as an
administrative permit use. The specific land use criteria
accompanying this proposal are found in section 32 of this
proposed ordinance.
b. Another proposal is to change the zoning district use table to
allow "Small Lot Single-family Subdivisions in the RS -6, RT -6,
RM -61 RM -8, and RM -10 districts as an administrative permit
use. The special land use criteria accompanying this proposal
are found in section 33 of this proposed ordinance.
More detailed analyses of these proposed uses are provided later in
this report under sections 32 and 33.
SECTION 15: relates to Section 23, and incorporates into the
single-family development chapter a proposed change to Chapter 927
which will affect single-family development. A more detailed
analysis of this and the Chapter 927 change is contained later in
this report under Section 23.
SECTION 16 & 17: relate to Section 33, and would require that
easement and special setback information be depicted or noted on
plats of either "special sideyard" (zero lot line) subdivisions or
small lot subdivisions.
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SECTION 18: would expand the use and advantages of conceptual site
plan applications. Currently, conceptual site plans may be used
only in conjunction with requests for special exception uses or
planned developments. The proposed amendment would allow
developers to apply for conceptual plan approval for any type of
,use or project proposal (permitted, administrative permit, or
special exception uses). Furthermore, the proposal would allow a
developer to obtain a review and approval to "lock -in" and vest
various, detailed aspects of a proposed project in terms of county
LDR requirements. Staff anticipates that this provision will also
provide an incentive for "master planning" an entire project and
will offer developers the ability to resolve various, detailed
project aspects without requiring a full site plan that addresses
all project characteristics.
Under the proposed section, no building permit could be issued
based upon an approved conceptual plan; approval of a subsequent
"final" site plan would be required prior to development of all or
a portion of a project. As is now the case, a conditional
concurrency certificate would be required for a conceptual plan;
therefore, no impact fees are required to be paid in relation to
conceptual plan approval.
SECTION 19: amends LDR chapter 918, Sanitary Sewer and Potable
Water Regulations, to bring it into conformity with the recently
adopted comprehensive plan amendments which changed the utilities
connection matrix requirements. The intent of the proposed change
is to bring the Chapter 918 narrative sections into conformance
with the adopted comprehensive plan matrix and to include;a copy of
the new matrix into Chapter 918.
SECTION 20: relates to Sections'3, 4, 7, and 34 and would:
1. Transfer air curtain incinerator burn permitting authority and
responsibility from the Indian River County Public Health
Department to the Department of Emergency Services (Fire
Division).
2. Authorize adoption (by separate resolution) of fees for Fire
Division permitting functions.
3. Specifically permit the operation of temporary (less than 6
months) debris burning sites by a land clearing contractor for
the burning of debris generated by the land clearing
contractor. Such operations would require the issuance of a
burn permit and compliance with the Chapter 925 regulations
which requires special setbacks and use of an air curtain
incinerator.
4. Specifically allow on-site open burning of debris in
agricultural areas west of I-951 located outside of the urban
service area. Such open burning would be subject to specific
state requirements.
It should be noted that all debris burning operations will be
required to meet state requirements. Also, it should be noted that
Section 20 of the proposed ordinance addresses only sites upon
which debris burning occurs for a short period of time (less than
6 months). Section 34, described later in this report, addresses
sites set-up for permanent operation of debris burning. Please
refer to attachment #2 regarding debris burning regulations.
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SECTION 21: would amend the landscape chapter to require use of
rain sensors in automatic irrigation systems. This is now required
by state law, and is already in effect in the county.
SECTION 22: would specify the minimum size requirements for
"understory trees" Understory trees are included in the current
buffer requirements; yet no written standards exist. The proposed
standards correspond to the unwritten, policy standard that staff
and developers have agreed upon in past development plans.
SECTION 23: is directly related to Section 15. Both sections
would require owners of single-family lots containing the habitat
of federally threatened or endangered species to obtain a tree
•removal and/or land clearing permit prior to tree removal or land
clearing activities on the lot. Presently, county regulations
exempt owners of single-family lots of less than an acre in size
from obtaining a tree removal or land clearing permit. However,
under current federal law and regulatory interpretation, it is
illegal for these presently "exempted" property owners to destroy
threatened or endangered species or their vital habitat.
Furthermore, the county is liable under federal law and regulatory
interpretation, if it permits development which destroys such
species or habitat. Therefore, these changes are needed to
implement federal law and fulfill the county's responsibility (and
relieve its liability). As proposed, this amendment would allow
county staff the opportunity to review habitat sites and ensure
that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the
proposed clearing or tree removal would not violate the Endangered
Species Act.
Through the land clearing and/or tree removal permit process,
county staff would coordinate with state and federal agencies to
ensure that no agencies would object to proposals to develop single
family lots in relation to the Endangered Species Act. Staff
anticipates that owners whose lots serve as habitat for endangered
or threatened species will need to preserve some trees or habitat
area on their lots. However, lot development in most cases will be
accommodated.
It must be noted that this amendment will not require owners of all
single family lots to conduct an environmental survey to determine
if they are or are not exempt frgm permitting requirements. County
staff, with the help and expertise of state and federal agencies,
will determine which single-family lots in the county now contain
habitat of federally threatened or endangered species. County
staff intends to individually notify these property owners, before
the owner applies for a building permit. Thus, only those lot
owners (or their successors in title) who are contacted will be
required to. obtain permits prior to tree removal or land clearing
activity.. Staff agrees with the PSAC recommendation that the Board
of County Commissioners should specifically direct staff to contact
any and all property owners affected by this proposed amendment.
Finally, ordinance Section 23 deletes the last sentence of section
927.06(2). The sentence should be deleted since the issue of dune
vegetation maintenance is now addressed in another section of
Chapter 927.
SECTION 24: would
requirements. The
bring the county's
current St. Johns
regulations.
SEP 17 ➢992
expand an exemption from certain stormwater
proposal, made by the County Engineer, would
stormwater permit exemption into line with the
River Water Management District (SJRWMD)
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BOOK 87 PAGE 6'33
SECTION 25: would allow a developer credit for satisfying all
county stormwater quality standards if a St. Johns, River Water
Management District (SJRWMD) permit is obtained. The proposal,
made by the County Engineer, would still require a developer to
obtain a county stormwater permit to meet county stormwater
quantity standards.
SECTION 26: would add new, locally -derived categories and trip
rates to the county's trip rate data table. The proposals are
being made by the County Traffic Engineer, based upon recently
completed local trip rate traffic surveys. The new categories
"fill in" some gaps in the current rate table (which is based
predominantly on national rates), and provide a specific category
for contractors trades uses which are a common type of use in the
county. The new categories and rates are considered to be more
accurate for Indian River County and are more specific and useful
in review of small strip centers and stores, and contractors trades
buildings projects.
SECTION 27: would establish a formula for equating large truck
traf f is volume with passenger vehicle traf f is volume in relation to
project turn lane requirements. The formula, proposed by the
traffic engineer, would affect only warehousing/manufacturing
projects and would require a developer to take into account the
impact of large truck maneuvers in relation to maneuvers of
passenger vehicles.
SECTION 28: would change some traffic impact fee credit
requirements and procedures. These requirements and procedures
will apply to developments within all participating municipalities
as well as the unincorporated area of the county. The intent of
the proposed changes is to:
1. Require up -front agreements on credit for constructed
improvements before the improvements are designed and
constructed. Such a requirement would eliminate post -
construction credit claims which can present various problems.
2. Substitute a precise date for a current requirement tied to
"...the effective date of this chapter...".
3. Better specify what types of improvements constitute non -
creditable, site -related improvements.
4. Better specify existing procedures.
It should be noted that prior to PSAC consideration of this
proposal, a draft of the proposal and an invitation for comments
and attendance at the PSAC were sent to every municipality in the
county. No comments were received from the municipalities.
SECTION 29: would correct a discrepancy between the parking
ordinance (954) and the landscape ordinance (926). The change
would allow a developer to use less paving at the end of a parking
space by permitting a design that allows vehicles to overhang up to
3' beyond a bumper stop, over grassed areas. This provision is an
incentive to design less paving area and more open space.
SECTION 30: would prohibit signs (over four square feet) attached
to parked vehicles where the signs are used to attract the
attention of adjacent right-of-way travelers, unless the vehicle is
parked in a designated parking area and is used in day-to-day
operations. The intent of this LDR revision is to "close a loop-
hole" and prohibit strategically parked vehicles to be used as on -
premise or off -premise signs.
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SECTION 31: would continue to prohibit fluorescent signs and roof
line lighting but would allow the use of neon, regardless of
whether or not the neon lighting is exposed. Currently, only
unexposed neon lighting (with protective covering) is allowed in
the county.
SECTION 32: relates to Sections it and 12, and comprises the
substantive part of an initiative put forward by the Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee to allow small, accessory dwelling units
as accessory uses to single family residences. The proposal is not
limited to producing small, affordable, presumably rental, dwelling
units; it would also allow homeowners the opportunity to create
legal "mother-in-law" units or units occupied by care -givers.
Allowing such units, especially in existing neighborhoods, raises
several concerns, including:
possible increase in density in single family
neighborhoods
- a multi -family type of use in a single-family zoned area
- "crowding" of single-family sites
To address these concerns, staff has drafted specific land use
criteria, which restrict accessory units as follows:
1. Density:
- The overall size of accessory dwelling units is limited
and, therefore, should not result in a significant
increase in people living on a residential site. In
essence, accessory dwelling units are not "full-sized"
dwelling units.
No accessory dwelling unit would be allowed on under-
sized lots. Current lot size standards provide a density
"cushion", whereby maximum allowable densities cannot be
attained in a standard subdivision layout containing
standard sized lots.
2. Multi -family type use:
The accessory unit is tied to the single-family unit by
common ownership.
The exterior facade of an accessory unit (except a garage
unit) must be similar to the single-family residence.
Only one doorway entrance is allowed to be visible from
the street.
These criteria should help ensure that the development on the
lot will appear to be one single family residence.
3. Crowding of the site
Normal maximum lot coverage (by building area) and minimum
open space requirements will apply. Therefore, the quantity
of site development (building area and impervious area) cannot
exceed what is already allowed for a single family residence.
It should be noted that ordinances from other jurisdictions
(municipalities in California; Gainesville and Orlando, Florida)
were reviewed and used as a basis for developing accessory dwelling
unit criteria. The county has the option to attach to the proposal
more restrictive criteria, including:
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SEPBOOK 87 PAU634
17 199
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SEP
increasing the minimum lot size requirements
requiring owner occupancy of either the principal or
accessory unit
restricting zoning districts in which the use is allowed
requiring special exception approval (receive public
input on each application)
limiting the number of persons allowed to occupy the
accessory dwelling unit
In the opinion of staff and the AHAC, the county should be careful
not to make the criteria too restrictive. Restricting the
opportunity to create such units could essentially make the
initiative unusable. Staff has concerns about the proposal;
however, the criteria proposed should address these concerns. The
county could "try out" the single-family accessory dwelling unit
approach and evaluate its effectiveness and impact and adjust
regulations or totally revisit the issue at a later date. In
staff's opinion, this proposal is a worthwhile experiment. The
Planning and Zoning Commission was deadlocked (2-2) on a motion to
recommend denial of this ordinance section. Those voting against
the provision concluded that the concerns and potential abuses of
the proposal outweigh the potential benefits.
SECTION 33: is another initiative of the AHAC which would allow a
special, streamlined process for developing new small lot, single-
family subdivisions. The proposal would restrict such special
subdivisions to the RS -6, RT -6, RM -6, RM -8, and RM -10 zoning
districts, and is intended to allow development of a subdivision
that approaches the actual maximum allowable density. Although not
specifically tied to affordable housing, the proposal would allow
developers an easier procedure to maximize project density and
,lower development costs per lot. Although the county's current
P.D. (Planned Development) process already allows approval of such
projects, PD's require special exception use approval. The AHAC
believes that the special exception process takes too long (note:
the last PD project was approved by the Board of County
Commissioners 90 days after application submittal) and is too risky
due to the public hearing and surrounding property owner notice
requirements, and the "discretionary nature" of special exception
decisions.
The proposal would allow small lot subdivision projects as an
administrative permit use. Thus, the approval process would be
shorter than the P.D. process and would not involve public hearings
or surrounding property owner notice. Staff has drafted specific
land use criteria which focus on compatibility between the small
lot subdivision and adjacent residential areas. The criteria have
the following features:
the development must be serviced by water and sewer
utilities (this prevents problems with extreme lot to lot
grade differences caused by septic tank fill
requirements)
perimeter lots (abutting the boundaries of the project)
must either meet the normal single family lot size or
have a buffer and increased minimum rear yard setback
a minimum lot size (5,000 sq. ft.) and minimum lot width
(50 feet) are established
perimeter setbacks vary with the proposed lot width; the
narrower the lot, the greater the rear yard setback.
The proposed ordinance should result in the opportunity to realize
increased, allowable densities. However, due to stormwater
requirements, especially the Indian River Farms discharge rate
requirement, lot area may be lost to centralized stormwater tracts.
Even so, in staff's opinion the proposal would allow for
developable densities closer to the maximum allowed densities,
while providing some buffering for adjacent properties.
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SECTION 34: relates to Sections 2, 41 7, and 20, and establishes
specific land use criteria for permanent debris burning sites open
to receive land clearing debris from any site or land clearing
operation in the county. Such a use would be allowed under the new
category of "private land clearing debris burning facility" (see
Section 2 for the definition). The intent of this section is to
afford private property owners and land clearing operators greater
access to legitimate debris burning disposal sites, with
appropriate regulations to minimize negative impacts to surrounding
properties and public roadways. Proposed "special exception"
specific land use criteria include:
1. use limitation to property with an AG land use plan
designation, to minimize potential use conflicts with the
future land uses of surrounding properties;
2. separation distance requirements between burn areas and
habitable structures (500 feet) and between stockpiles or burn
areas and any property line (300 feet);
3. direct access to a thoroughfare plan road, or direct access to
a non -thoroughfare road provided the road has little or no
residential access use;
4. required approval by the Indian River County Solid Waste
Disposal District (SWDD) Board and the Florida Department of
Environmental Regulation (pertaining to air emissions
permitting);
5. stockpile volume control; and
6. public road maintenance requirements for associated debris
hauling activities, similar to requirements presently in
effect for mining operations.
It should be noted that prior to the June 18th PSAC meeting at
which the private burn site issue was first addressed, staff
contacted all land clearing businesses in the county and sent a
draft ordinance and meeting notice and invitation to the June 18th
PSAC meeting. Representatives from the Reliable Services land
clearing business and other interested parties attended and
participated in the PSAC meeting and the Planning and Zoning
Commission meeting.
Also, it should be noted that approval of permanent debris burning
sites receiving debris from any contractor and from the general
public could allow direct competition with a portion of the
county's landfill operation. Such competition could conflict with
solid waste bond covenant requirements (see attachment #3, memo
from the County Attorney). Thus, the requirement that the SWDD
Board approve permanent debris burning operations will allow the
SWDD Board to determine on a case by case basis whether or not a
proposed -operation is allowable under SWDD bond covenants.
SECTION 35.: is recommended by the county public health unit to
specifically reference existing environmental health requirements
that apply to food service/handling operations at temporary special
events.
SECTION 36: would essentially add three provisions to the
Temporary Uses chapter, as follows:
1. better define allowable fruits and vegetable sales;
2. require an increased clean-up/restoration bond amount for
temporary uses that make alterations (eg. temporary driveways,
culverts) within county rights-of-way; and
3. allow transient merchant, roadside seafood sales.
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L_ SEP 171992
Bm 87 wa
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Both staff and PSAC recommend that the county approve the proposed
changes described in items 1 and 2, above. However, staff and the
PSAC (by a 4-2 vote) recommend that the county reject the proposed
changes that would allow transient merchant seafood sales. The
Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the proposal
to allow transient merchant seafood sales.
In April, the Board of County Commissioners heard a request by
seafood sales owner/operator Jim Anthony to allow satellite seafood
sales operations, such as the sales operation he runs from a
specially modified truck, as transient merchant uses in Indian
River County. Upon hearing Mr. Anthony's request; the Board
directed staff to propose an ordinance that would allow satellite
seafood sales operations such as Mr. Anthony's. Staff has
coordinated with Mr. Anthony and has drafted criteria intended to
limit allowable seafood sales operations to operations that are
similar to Mr. Anthony's operation. These criteria include the
following:
- seafood sales transient merchant operations must be owned
and operated by a permanent seafood sales establishment
in Indian River County;
- the operation must be conducted from a state approved
vehicle, self-contained in regards to power,
refrigeration and other aspects;
operations may occur only during daylight hours; the site
must be abandoned at night; and
operations must be inspected and approved by the county
public health authority.
All other existing transient merchant criteria would also apply.
.It should be noted that, prior to the June 18th PSAC meeting, Mr.
Anthony and all seafood sales operators in the county were
contacted and sent a draft ordinance and meeting notice and
invitation to the June 18th PSAC meeting. No seafood sales
operators attended the meeting, and no comments were received by
staff. However, Mr. Anthony participated at the Planning and
Zoning Commission meeting.
The PSAC and staff both recommend against the seafood sales
provisions of the proposed ordinance for the following reasons:
1. Increasing the types of items that can be sold along roadsides
increases the likelihood that sales will eventually be opened -
up to other types of retail items. Allowing such a
proliferation of sales would put established and future
permanent sales facilities at a disadvantage and would expand
the number of operations allowed to operate below normal site
development standards.
2. The proliferation of roadside sales could have negative
aesthetic and traffic impacts.
3. It may not be feasible to enforce the criterion to limit
operations to those tied to (satellites of) established,
permanent sales operations in Indian River County.
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SUMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff, the PSAC, and the Planning and Zoning Commission all have
recommended approval of various sections of the proposed ordinance
but differ on the following sections:
A. Sections 11, 12, (in part) and 32 (accessory single family
dwelling units). Staff and the PSAC recommend approval of the
accessory dwelling unit provisions. However, the Planning and
Zoning Commission was dead -locked in a 2-2 vote on a motion to
recommend denial of the accessory dwelling unit provisions.
The general reason given2'-for the votes against these
provisions was that the potential abuse of the provisions
(overcrowding, multi -family type development in single-family
neighborhoods) would outweigh the potential affordable housing
benefits and that the proposals would not actually result in
the production of a significant amount of affordable housing.
B. Section 36 (transient merchant seafood sales). Staff and the
PSAC recommend denial of the proposal to allow roadside
satellite seafood sales. However; the Planning and Zoning
Commission recommends approval of these provisions.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the
proposed ordinance with the exception of changes proposed to
section 972.08(4) of the LDRs which would allow satellite seafood
sales transient merchant operations (see ordinance Section 36).
Such transient merchant operations should not be allowed.
Furthermore, staff recommends that the Board of County
Commissioners:
1. Provide staff with direction(s) for any changes to the
proposed ordinance; and
2. Announce its intention to take final action on the proposed
ordinance at the public hearing scheduled for Thursday,
September 17, 1992 at 5:01 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
Director Boling directed the Board's attention to the list of
topics and the order in which they will be addressed. He further
noted that the changes indicated in the proposed ordinance were
addressed by the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) as well as the
Professional Services Advisory Committee (PSAC)
15
L_ SEP 17- M2
aea 87 f�, 9,3
r-
SFP J 7 �q
1.
BURNING OF LAND CLEARING DEBRIS
Permanent
Sites
Temporary Sites
Ordinance
Sections 2, 4, 78 34
3, 41 20
2.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT i SINGLE FAMILY LOTS
Ordinance
Sections 15, 23
3.
SULL LOT
SUBDIVISIONS,.
-
Ordinance
Sections 11, 13, 16, 17,,
33-
4•
ACCESSORY
SINGLE FAMILY DUgLLIM =ITS
Ordinance
Sections 1, 10, ll, 12,
13, 14, 32
5.
TRANSIENT
MERCHANT SEAFOOD SALES
Ordinance
Section 36
6• CONCURRENCY - 90 DAY GRACE PERIOD
Ordinance Section 6
7. CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN
Ordinance Section 18
8. RESTRICTIONS ON PARKED VEHICLE SIGNS
Ordinance Section 30
9. TRAFFIC IMPACT FEE CREDIT REVISIONS it'41P
Ordinance Section 28
All remaining ordinance sections to be taken in sequential,
numerical order as follows: 5, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27,
29, 31, 35
NOTE: Sections 37-40 are standard, legal, ordinance sections.
Vice Chairman Bowman advised that she would open the Public
Hearing at this time so that the public can raise questions as each
item is reviewed.
1. Burning of Land Clearing Debris - Section 34
Community Development Director Bob Keating addressed this
topic first for the following reason: (1) It is complicated and
has generated much controversy and many citizen complaints. (2) It
involves rules and regulations of the Department of Environmental
Regulations (DER) which are unclear and subject to conflicting
interpretations. (3) Our ordinance as structured does not address
certain burning circumstances. (4) Code Enforcement has raised
some enforcement issues related to this topic.
Director Keating noted that staff's proposed changes may be
more restrictive or possibly prohibited by the Solid Waste Disposal
District (SWDD). Director Keating directed the Board's attention
to a chart showing that there are 6 different types of burning that
are subject to three sets of regulations; DER's regulations, the
County's current rules in the Land Development Regulations (LDR),
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and the rules in the proposed LDR. These 6 types of burning
include: (1) On-site burning, which relates to a development
project where there is clearing and they burn the debris on site;
(2) Burning by a person who owns another piece of property and he
burns debris that he generated from that property on a second piece
of property that he owns. This generally happens when a
development project includes several sites and the debris is
consolidated on one site and burned; (3) Burning of debris on a
site that is owned or leased by a commercial land clearer from a
site or sites that he does not own but has contracted to clear;
(4) A commercial activity where a given site receives debris from
people clearing any property anywhere and burns that debris. (5)
Agriculture burning which is related to clearing a grove or
replanting a grove; and (6) Rural burning which is burning that is
not associated with agricultural activity but occurs in a rural
area. An example of this would be if someone were building a home
on 5 acres and did some land clearing and they. would burn that
debris on-site.
Director Keating next addressed the. regulating agencies. DER
requires permits for burning, exempts certain types of burning, and
places requirements on a separation distance. There are
circumstances in which DER specifically requires a stationary
permit for burning debris and an example of that is the County
landfill. DER also regulates the types of burning that require an
air curtain incinerator to be used; the County also regulates this
type of burning. DER sets the separation distances depending on
the type of air curtain that is used, a trench burner or one with
vertical refractory walls.
Director Keating advised that the first two types of burning
listed above require an air curtain incinerator. we currently have
no provisions in the zoning code to allow a commercial activity as
discussed in burning types 3 and 4, so those two uses are not
allowed in the County. Agriculture burning activity is exempt
from our rules as it is with DER, and rural burning is subject to
our air curtain incinerator requirements. _
Commissioner Bird led discussion regarding separation criteria
for commercial burning activities.
Mr. DeBlois noted that the DER's regulations leave room for
interpretation regarding separation requirements for a stationary
permit for burning debris. with a trench burning air curtain
incinerator, there is a minimum 300 -feet separation distance;
however, off-site, that distance is increased to 1000 feet. If
they use vertical refractory lined walls, that distance is reduced
to 300 feet. Additionally, there is a 6 -month limit, which defines
17
L_ AFP t 7 1992 BON 87 iF-�TH640
F
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it as temporary and not stationary. Any longer than 6 months
requires a DER permit.
Director Keating pointed out changes in Section 925.
There are two additional. exemptions, and the implementing agency
would be changed from the Environmental Health Department to the
Fire Division of the Emergency Services Department.
Mr. DeBlois clarified that when we say "exempt," in reality
there is an agreement with the Division of Forestry that they would
be implementing the state regulations and that we have minimum
requirements related to both agriculture and rural burning.
* (6) Except for transportation to sanitary landfills which are
* * permitted and approved in accordance with Chapter 403, Florida
Statutes, and Chapter 17-701, Florida Administrative Cpde,,or
debris transported to other disposal or recycling facilities
approved by the county as burn, recycling, or disposal sites,
it is unlawful to transport land clearing debris from one
parcel to another parcel.
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, landclearing debris
generated from a parcel(s) may be transported to a parcel(s)
under the same ownership as the debris -generating parcel(s),
or to a parcel owned or leased by the land clearing contractor
who conducted the land clearing, and incinerated under the
provisions of this ordinance (Chaoter 925).
Director Keating explained that a burning use that is non -
allowed is recognized as being allowed in here subject to air
curtain incinerator provisions, and this is an important
distinction. This means that a land clearer can get control of a
piece of property, either by purchase or lease. He would be exempt
from DER rules by having a temporary facility with an air curtain
incinerator permit from the County. This would allow him to clear
various sites for clients and bring all the debris to one site and
burn it. In this way he would meet the air curtain incinerator
requirements in our ordinance as well as the DER requirement.
Commissioner Bird asked for clarification, because the first
paragraph of (6) prohibits transporting debris to other sites.
Director Keating. explained that it- is important to have the
prohibition on illegal dumping in the first paragraph, with the
narrow exception as described in the second paragraph, beginning
"notwithstanding."
County Attorney Charles Vitunac suggested clarifying the
exception in the second paragraph by inserting a phrase, such as,
"except as noted in paragraph 2," and Director Keating agreed to
confer with legal staff and include the specific wording.
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Director Keating stated that the next change is the separation
distance requirement from 1000 to 500 feet from any habitable
structure. That is in conjunction with DER's requirements, which
means to get the 500 -foot distance they would have to use an air
curtain with vertical refractory walls. If they use a trench
burner the distance requirement would be 1000 feet.
Commissioner Scurlock felt that there should be flexibility in
the separation distances and the type of burners because of
possible new technology which may give a cleaner burn and not
impact on neighboring properties.
Commissioner Bird thought there should be a provision where if
a residence falls within the separation distance,the party doing
the burning could get permission for the adjacent property owner.
Director Keating stated that we do not have that provision.
Joe Spataro, Forest Area Supervisor, stated that there is a
provision in state law which allows for a variance for the
encroachment. DER requires an affidavit to do that.
Commissioner Scurlock suggested; and Director Keating agreed
to research that possibility for future changes in this section.
Director Keating addressed another big change in Section 924
regarding separation distances from the pit to a habitable
structure. The proposed ordinance reduces that distance from 1000
to 500 feet. Director Keating demonstrated with the aid of a graph
the number of parcels east of I-95 which would meet the 1000 -foot
and the 500 -foot separation requirement. He noted there are 40
parcels which meet the 1000 -foot requirement and 60 which meet the
500 -foot requirement. He pointed out that staff analyzed the DER
rules which come into effect with their exemptions and decided that
people would be as well protected with a 500 -foot separation
distance as with the 1000 -foot separation distance we have now. We
would require the air curtain with vertical refractory walls for
the 500 -foot distance, whereas DER allows a 300 -foot distance under
the same circumstances. When they use a trench burner, these
requirements require them to be consistent with DER's rules which
means they must meet a 1000 -foot separation. These are details
that the Fire Division will be implementing in conjunction with the
Forestry Division.
Commissioner Scurlock asked about wind direction.
Mr. DeBlois explained that burning permits must be coordinated
with the Division of Forestry and will be overseen by our Fire
Division. The Division of Forestry makes recommendations on a day
by day basis and the County calls them every day before issuing
permits. The County will not issue permits for air incinerators.
That will be handled by the Fire Division and Division of Forestry.
19
SEP 17 I r�
Fr -
Director Keating recapped that the Board is requesting two
amendments: the "notwithstanding" section, and the addition of a
variance provision for separation distance.
2. Endangered Species Act and Single Family Lots Section 15
* 2. No land clearing or protected tree removal shall be
* * allowed without a valid county land clearing and/or tree
removal permit on parcels identified by county, state, or
federal officials or staff as providing habitat for
federally endangered or threatened species, as listed in
the most current edition of "Official Lists of Endangered
and Potentially Endangered Fauna and Flora in Florida"
Published by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission. Such permit(s) will not be issued unless and
until. the a licant rovides to environmental nlanninn
Environmental Planning Chief Roland DeBlois addressed Section
15 of the proposed amendments. He stated that this section relates
to the Endangered Species Act. This amendment would improve the
ordinance mechanism so that the County can work with individual lot
owners to facilitate notification to lessen liability. This
proposed provision only relates to single family lots, because we
review land clearing projects where a County land clearing permit
is required. Mr. DeBlois reported that staff is working with the
wildlife agencies to map out properties in the County which would
be affected. In this way we would be in a position to notify a
property owner that there is a possibility of an endangered species
habitat and therefore we will not exempt that property owner from
the land clearing permit. They must prove to us that they have
coordinated with the wildlife agencies before we allow that
clearing.
Commissioner Scurlock questioned what they could coordinate if
it is a small lot and they cannot establish a new habitat or
conservation area or do anything meaningful.
Mr. DeBlois responded that the federal government has to
review that small lot and the owner must take the responsibility.
Director Keating further explained that staff is working with
the jurisdictional agencies in the City of Sebastian to prepare a
management plan to address this issue because there are small lots
that could not develop without eliminating habitat. With this
provision certain other parcels would be preserved.
Mr. DeBlois noted this is where the land acquisition program
would conserve habitat on a county -wide basis.
Commissioner Bird inquired whether this amendment is to close
a loophole, or would this effectively make some lots unbuildable
because they are part of a habitat.
20
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Director Keating responded that this is not an additional
requirement to restrict building. These requirements are in place
because of the Endangered Species Act. He stated that staff has
mapped the area and this requirement may affect 10 or 12 parcels in
the County. However, the City of Sebastian has many more parcels
that are being affected.
Commissioner Bird did not want to require property owners to
have to deal with federal agencies.
Director Keating felt this would protect the individual
property owner by causing them to deal with the County before
clearing his property possibly in violation of the Act.
Nancy Offutt, speaking for the Board of Realtors, was
concerned about this proposed amendment to the ordinance because it
affects single family lots. She felt this change would put the
single family home owner in a contest or match of wits with a
federal agency and could affect the time element involved, because
these agencies have their own agenda. She was also concerned about
the liability of a real estate agent who would be representing
these properties. Notice of this requirement could not appear in
the deed to the property, and a letter sent to the owner is not
sufficient notice to protect a subsequent purchaser, so she saw a
potential problem with liability.
Commissioner Scurlock saw this amendment as transferring the
liability from government to the property owner by putting the
property owner on notice. He saw a lot of questions involved in
whether a single family lot could preserve habitat.
Mr. DeBlois agreed that 1/4 acre is not scrub jay habitat, but
when there are many 1/4 -acre lots in one clump which comes to 25
acres, that is when the concern relates to single family lots.
Director Keating further explained that an on-site examination
is required to determine whether there is habitat.
Nancy Offutt thought the problem is evident. She noted that
this does not refer to the original clearing of a parcel but rather
to what happens later when they want to add on or install a
swimming pool; what are the implications of this amendment.
Regarding 912.07 on tree protection, she urged that the exemption
as it currently exists should not be removed.
Mr. DeBlois would not advise that because scrub jays' habitat
is largely scrub oaks and removal of one could adversely affect the
habitat. If someone wants to remove individual trees on a lot, it
probably would not affect the habitat and would-be allowed anyway.
This proposed amendment is a jumping-off point for the County to do
a county -wide habitat conservation plan where lands could be
acquired which allow single family lot owners to do tree removal.
21
ON 87 fWCU644
SEp 17 1997
wax .8 ' 7 i�AH
Discussion ensued regarding exactly what would be required of
property owners, and the Board agreed this needed further study and
should be discussed again.
3. Small Lot Subdivisions - Section 33
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that this proposed
amendment would allow for smaller than normal size lots to be
established. The main features are that it would not go through
the special exception process; it would go through Planning &
Zoning where these criteria would be reviewed. This procedure will
make it a lot quicker in terms of approval. These smaller lots
would be allowed only in areas where we have both water and sewer
and where we have special setbacks where this type of development
would abut a normal lot -size type of development.
4. Accessory Single Family Dwelling Units - Section 32
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that this amendment
would allow accessory dwelling everywhere that a residential home
is allowed and would be an administrative permit use. That means
it is not a special exception, does not go through public hearing
but does go to Planning & Zoning Commission for approval.
Director Keating reported that Professional Services Advisory
Committee recommended approval. Planning & Zoning Commission was
deadlocked on this because of concerns expressed that this use may
not result in a lot of affordable housing, and allowing a second
unit on a lot could cause a- crowding effect in a neighborhood.
Director Keating stated that all the criteria are laid out to
narrow down and address the concerns. Staff recommends approval.
5. Transient Merchant Seafood Sales - Section 35
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that this proposed
amendment to the ordinance is in consideration of a request by Mr.
Anthony for a satellite seafood sales operation as a roadside
operation, which would fall under a transient merchant category.
Right now the County allows two types of transient merchant
operations: historical and resource, which include fruit and
vegetables, and seasonal, which include Christmas trees and
fireworks. Seafood sales would be another category of retail sales
which could occur as a roadside operation.
Commissioner Scurlock asked about opening the door to other
types of roadside sales operations, such as beef, because Florida
is a major producer of beef cattle.
Director Boling stated that staff is also concerned about
other types being allowed. Planning & Zoning urged approval of
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this amendment. The Professional Services and Advisory Committee
voted 4-1 against it, and staff recommends that this section be
deleted and not be allowed.
J. Anthony, 628 High Street, Sebastian, responded that beef is
not a natural resource. He stated that his seafood sales business
is following in the tradition of his grandparents and great
grandparents. He could understand the Board's concern about having
a bunch of trucks along the highways, but he felt that the way
staff has written this amendment eliminated that possibility. The
fact that it is a satellite operation would control it.
Commissioner Bird felt the fact that it must be a satellite of
an approved retail outlet was a good requirement.
Vice Chairman Bowman agreed.
6. Concurrency - 90 -Day Grace Period - Section 6
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that this amendment
would set up two avenues for developers to follow. The first is a
90 -day grace period which would allow a site plan applicant to
actually reserve traffic and utilities capacity without having to
pay the impact until the end of the 90 -day period. Later in the
meeting County Attorney Charles Vitunac clarified that at the end
of the 90 -day period when the applicant pays the impact fee, it
would be retroactive for that 90 -day period.
Commissioner Bird asked if that is necessary, and Attorney
Vitunac responded that it is the law.
Director Boling explained that the second avenue would be to
allow the developer to delay getting a concurrency certificate
until the time of building permit issuance. A site plan or
subdivision approval would be conditioned upon concurrency
certificates being obtained before each and every building permit
in that project. That capacity could be used up by the time they
come to get that permit. The developer would have to acknowledge
to the County that they are not getting the concurrency certificate
now and they do not have capacity now and they are taking the risk.
This would actually relieve the developer of the responsibility of
having to lock up concurrency or reserve capacity, and that is for
everything, including traffic impact. He would pass that
responsibility on to the ultimate consumer, the ultimate lot owner.
It is allowing the risk to be passed down further along in the
process and the developer would not have to pay the costs up front.
Commissioner Scurlock foresaw problems when this risk is
passed along. The ultimate consumer is going to come before this
Board and complain because there is no capacity, and there will be
traffic jams.
23
SEP 17 1992 '89OX 87 f aza
Director Keating assured them there would be no traffic jam
because that is what concurrency prohibits. Conceivably, a lot
could be sold in anticipation of building a house on it and if a
road got over capacity, they could not build.
Vice Chairman Bowman commented that it is a gamble.
Bill Mills, contractor, pointed out that this proposed
amendment will help to stimulate the economy and help the
developer, because paying impact fees up front is just prohibitive.
Commissioner Scurlock was concerned about government's
physical ability to build the improvements quick enough .to meet the
requirements.
Mr. Mills understood that Director Keating intended to publish
the available capacity on a quarterly basis for developers'
information. He realized that there is risk involved, but he
foresaw that this would become standard. He also felt that the
real estate industry would be aware and take some of the
responsibility.
Attorney Vitunac advised that we could require the developer
to include this warning in bold print. In that way the developer
who sells a lot without concurrency and does not put that language
in the contract is liable for it. We can say that failure to put
that language in a contract keeps the concurrency liability on the
developer.
Director Keating did not think we could regulate what gets on
a deed. We can regulate it by a form signed by the developer and
we could anticipate that form -also including a notice on the plat,
but we do not get involved with a deed.
Peter Robinson, developer, was sure a buyer would go to the
County records to determine whether he can use the property. He
also was sure that a developer's attorney would not allow sale of
a lot without that verbiage in the contract.
Attorney Vitunac advised that the wording should be strong and
mention that concurrency has not been met and reserved.
Mr. Robinson saw this as a developer's responsibility. Under
the present regulations the impact fees are paid, sometimes the
development is not completed, and there is no impact on the roads,
and after seven years .the County must give those fees back. Later,
the development is completed and traffic is impacted. Mr. Robinson
was sure that the developer and everyone else concerned will pass
the word along that you can lose if you don't pay the impact fees.
Director Keating was in agreement with Mr. Robinson's points
about impact fees being paid and capital improvements programs
being scheduled in a closer timeframe.
Mr. Boling asked if the Board wanted to include Attachment 2
24
into the proposed ordinance, and the Board members indicated
assent.,
7. Conceptual Site Plan - Section 18
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that this amendment
would allow the developer to get conceptual plan approval at any
level of detail, past a -certain minimum.' The developer could
choose the level of detail of the design to be presented and
approved. This will give the developer the level of assurance that
he wants in getting conceptual plan approval.
8. Restrictions on Parked Vehicle Signs - Section 30
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that this proposed
amendment is intended to close a loophole in the sign ordinance.
jpj A sign four square feet or larger in size which is affixed to,
attached to, or located on a parked vehicle such that the sign
is visible from a public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is
parked in a designated parking area and is used in the normal
day-to-day operations of the premise business. This
prohibition does not apply to signs required by law, ordinance
or regulation. The intent of this prohibition is to prohibit
vehicles from being utilized as on -premise or off -premise
signs except as incidental to bona fide vehicle use.
Nancy Offutt, speaking individually, observed that the present
language could put a lot of people outside of the law who do not
intend using their vehicle for that purpose. She gave the example
of somebody being legitimately parked by someone else's business
for a legitimate business reason.
Mr. DeBlois explained that the intent is for vehicles that are
parked long term and not used daily, and parked basically for the
purpose of displaying the sign. 'He agreed that Ms. Offutt made a
legitimate point, and staff would work to change the wording so it
is not necessarily tied to the particular on -premise business.
9. Traffic Impact Fee Credit Revisions - Section 28
Planning Director Stan Boling explained that the intent in
this proposed amendment is for all the developers in the
unincorporated areas of the County and municipalities to come in
and get the traffic impact fee credit done up front, before the
designs are finalized and before improvements are made. 0
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SEP t 7 M97 ma 87 FAu 64
Interstate 95 Buffer Requirement - Section 9
(� Interstate 95 buffer requirement. 'All developments that
are adiacent to the I-95 right-of-way and that require
major site plan approval shall preserve or provide a
buffer along the I-95 frontage of the development site
(parcel) that satisfies the canopy tree standards of a
* Type "C" buffer and provides a 6' (or higher) opaque
feature.-
Commissioner
eature.
Commissioner Bird addressed Section 9.d., regarding Interstate
95 buffer requirements. He was not in favor of an opaque wall from
county line to county line because many people develop along the
interstate because they want the visibility. When commercial and
industrial parks are constructed, the lots closest to the
interstate are the first ones to go. He also felt that if this
requirement is intended for residential development, it should be
their choice to buffer themselves from I-95. He felt this item
should be given further study.
Director Keating explained that this was not really intended
for residential development but rather industrial and commercial
and mostly for the storage aspect.
Miscellaneous
Nancy Offutt requested that a date be placed on the charts and
graphs published by the County so that the public has an indication
of what is most current.
Director Keating thought- that was a good suggestion and agreed
to do so.
It was determined that no one else wished to be heard and the
Vice Chairman closed the public hearing.
Vice Chairman Bowman announced that the second hearing on the
proposed Ordinance will be held at 5:01 p.m. on September 29, 1992.
There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded
and carried, the Board adjourned at 6:30 o'clock P. M.
ATTEST:
J. Barton, Clerk
Margaret C.I)Bowman, Vice Chairman
26