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Home My WebLink AboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 06_1/12/2022Agenda Item #6. Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) STAFF MEMO Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Jan 12 2022 Staff Contact: Thomas Bradford, EAC Chair Department: Environmental Advisory Committee Potential Issues for Consideration in the Village Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the Requirements for Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL). SUMMARY: '04 L J This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-768-0443. Potential Issues in the VOT Code RE FFL Memo 011222 (Merged) copy Page 87 of 95 Agenda Item #6. Village of Tequesta Environmental Advisory Committee Memo To: Environmental Advisory Committee Members From: Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC Cc: NA Date: January 5, 2022 Subject: Potential Issues for Consideration in the Village Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the Requirements for Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) At EAC meetings in the fall of 2021, I looked into the question of code issues pertaining to FFL. Based on those preliminary concerns, I looked into every section of the Code of Ordinances listed in attached Exhibit A. I did a search of three words while at the Tequesta Code section of Municode.com: "Florida Friendly Landscape." All and all, the Code as it relates to landscaping is fine, with just a few things to consider, in my opinion. My concerns are listed below. 1) At one point we were concerned that the future for Tequesta foretells more demolitions of existing properties with rebuilding of bigger more modern homes. We learned Sec. 78-402 of the VOT Code does require the use of FFL when a renovation exceeds 50% of the estimated value of the existing property for the R-1, R-lA and R-2 zoning districts. Thus, a demolition, with a rebuild to follow, in one of the listed zoning districts is going to have to use FFL. If an existing structure or existing landscaped area wherein the renovation, restoration or construction activity value is greater than 50 percent of the assessed value of the existing structure, or 50 percent of the estimated value of the existing landscaped areas determined by the department of community development, 50% FFL is required. 2) At one point I was concerned that Sec. 78-402 only applied to the R-1, R1-A and R-2 zoning districts. The VOT has more zoning districts than the three listed. However, Sec. 78-402 is contained within the Landscaping Article of the Zoning Code and it states repeatedly within this Article that all zoning districts require FFL. Page 88 of 95 Agenda Item #6. 3) FFL landscaping is required in all zoning districts, but there is no listed minimum required percentage of FFL except in the R-1, R1-A and R-2 zoning districts, which are required to use 50% FFL. Therefore, all zoning districts listed below have no minimum FFL that must be achieved. Without a minimum FFL requirement, the adoption of FFL requirements could be rendered as meaningless. Why would the zoning districts below be allowed to have more non-native plants than our residential districts? In my opinion this should be changed, quickly. oC-1 Commercial District o C-2 Community Commercial District o C-3 General Commercial District oMixed Use District oR-3 Multiple Family Dwelling District o R/OP Recreation and Open Space 4) Our VOT Code, Sec.78-402, makes a statement about estimated 50% of the value of property or landscaping area as referenced above, but gives no instruction to staff on how to estimate that value. We need a definition like "Construction value. The value of all construction including, but not limited to, contractor supplied labor and materials, subcontractor supplied labor and materials, owner/decorator supplied labor and materials, and all associated overhead, supervision, and profit. The construction value shall be representative of the market value of construction as established by comparable construction in the village. Alternatively, instead of continuing to leave the question of 'value" to be at the discretion of staff, just specify by Code amendment "the value shall be market value as determined by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser for the current tax year for Improvement Market Value and/or Land Market Value or Total Market Value, whichever is applicable to the permit application" 5) Sec. 78-392 -Applicability appears to have a conflict. 7 8 -3 92(a)(2) states: "Parks, open spaces and trails will be designed with these principles in mind, as applicable". But then Sec. 78-392 (b)(7) Exemptions states: "Public parks and other play areas indicated on an approved site plan." Parks are exempt from using FFL? Parks and play areas, to the extent that they have added landscaping for aesthetics, parking lots, and other areas not subject to foot traffic should require FFL landscaping. Sec. 78-392 (c) states: "Exemptions to the requirements of this division may be granted by variance for individual projects if the applicant can demonstrate that compliance will be impractical and will result in an undue hardship". It goes without saying that a variance can be requested in the existing formal variance process, but why encourage it by stating it here? It's like we are apologizing for requiring FFL, but just in case it bothers you we want to highlight that we will consider a variance. 6) Sec. 78-402. - Landscaping on single-family and duplex lots. This section requires single family homes to use FFL, but also says "...(and) comply with the Florida friendly landscape concept as set forth in the South Florida Water Management District Waterwise Guide, as amended, with a minimum of 50 percent native landscaping required..." If you look at the Water Wise Guide shown in the link below, nowhere does it make any mention of FFL. So, what does a homeowner and their design professional 011 Page 89 of 95 Agenda Item #6. do, follow the FFL guidelines in the link below, the SFWMD Water Wise guidelines, or both? This should be clarified to eliminate ambiguity. 7) Sec. 78-400(6)- Landscape Plans — twice mentions the SFWMD Water Wise Guide, first as the "village approved landscape guide" and then states "fifty percent of all required landscaping shall be landscaping indigenous to the South Florida area as indicated in the Waterwise Guide, as amended." In addition, this section makes no reference to FFL? So, big picture, there are the FFL guidelines, SFWMD Water Wise Guide, and now plants indigenous to South Florida, as opposed to just being native to Florida. Is there a way to make this less complicated for the person attempting to create or modify their landscaping? 8) Sec. 78-397.- Prohibited plant species. This list is good to have, but appears to be outdated and just a fraction of what SFWMD considers exotic today. See the list entitled Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council 2003 List of Category I (Most Invasive) Species on pages 16 and 17 in the link below to the SFWMD Water Wise Guide for South Florida. 9) Sec. 78-406 (d) - Interior landscaping of parking areas. Trees have to be per the SFWMD Water Wise Guide. No mention of FFL. 10) Sec. 78-393. - Definitions. The definition of "Landscape" does not mention FFL is required. Perhaps it should. Reference Sources Tequesta Code of Ordinances link: hllps://Iibrga.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances SFWMD Water Wise Guide for South Florida link: https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ww0 waterwise all.pdf FFL Plant Guide for Zip Code 33469 link: https://ffl. ifas.ufl. edi4lants/ FFL Home Page link: hitps://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ 3 Page 90 of 95 Agenda Item #6. EXHIBIT A Florida Friendly Landscaping Code Citations APPENDIX C - PERMIT FEES https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR APXCPEFE Sec. 22-82. - General requirements relative to site plan review. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH22CODE ARTIICOAP DIV3SUCRPRRU 522-82GERERESIPLRE Sec. 22-84. - Landscaping (No FFL?) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?node1d=PT1ICOOR CH22CODE ARTIICOAP DIV3SUCRPRRU S22-84LA Sec. 46-73. - Parking of certain commercial vehicles, trucks and recreational vehicles in the R-1 district. (No FFL) https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH46MOVETR ARTIIIPASTST DIV2PACOVETRREVE 546-72PAC ECOVETRPRREAR Sec. 46-74. - Parking of certain commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles in the R-1A district.(No FFL) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH46MOVETR ARTIIIPASTST DIV2PACOVETRREVE S46-74PACECOVEREVEDI Sec. 50-181. - Purpose. https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?node1d=PT1ICOOR CH50NAREPR ARTVIWAPRCO 550-181 PU Sec. 50-236. - Exemptions. (No FFL?) https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH50NAREPR ARTVIITR DIV2TRRE 550-236EX Sec. 74-2. - Vegetation in proximity to electric facilities. (No FFL?) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH74UT ARTIINGE 574-2VEPRELFA Page 91 of 95 Agenda Item #6. EXHIBIT A Sec. 70-47. - Business tax schedule. (No FFL) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeld=PTI ICO OR CH70TA ARTIILOBUTA 570-47BUTASC Sec. 74-242. - Prohibited discharges. (No FFL) https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH74UT ARTIVST DIV3STCO 574-242PRD1 Sec. 78-4. - Definitions.(No reference to FFL in zoning code definitions) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIINGE 578-4DE Sec. 78-143. - Schedule of site reauirements. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTVISCDIRE DIV1 GE S78-143SCSIRE Sec. 78-177. - C-2 community commercial district. https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTVISCDIRE DIV2SCUSRE S78-177COCODI Sec. 78-178. - C-3 general commercial district. (No FFL?) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTVISCDIRE DIV2SCUSRE S78-178GECODI Sec. 78-255. - General requirements and special regulations. https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTVIIIPLCODEPC S78-255GERESPRE 2 Page 92 of 95 Agenda Item #6. EXHIBIT A Florida Friendly Landscaping Code Citations Sec. 78-299. - Location and screening of emergency generators, air conditioners, pool equipment and similar mechanical equipment. (Not related to FFL) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV1 GE S78-30OLOSCDU Sec. 78-308. - Doi -friendly dining. (No FFL?) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV1 GE S78-308DIEDI Sec. 78-333. - Contents of aDDlication. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR -CH78ZO-ARTIXSURE DIV2SIPLRE S78-333COAP Sec. 78-391. - Puroose and intent. https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-391 PUIN Sec. 78-392. -Applicability. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO-ARTIXSURE DIV41-A S78-392AP Sec. 78-393. - Definitions. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-393DE Sec. 78-394. - Florida -friendly landscaping general provisions; design standards. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code of ordinances?nodeld=PTIIC OOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-394FLIELAGEPRDEST Sec. 78-396. - Turf areas and soils. 3 Page 93 of 95 Agenda Item #6. EXHIBIT A https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV41LA 578-396TUARSO Sec. 78-397. - Prohibited plant species.(No FFL?) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-395SHCO Sec. 78-399. - Maintenance. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-399MA Sec. 78-400. - Landscape plans. (No FFL?) https://li bra ry.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-400LAPL Sec. 78-402. - Landscaping on single-family and duplex lots. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA 578-402LASIMIDULO&wdLOR=c3D7FDDB9-88F3-4048- 8A7B-70CDB104D151 Sec. 78-406. - Interior landscaping of parking areas.(No FFL, but should?) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-406INLAPAAR Sec. 78-408. - Percentage of landscape coverage required. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-408PELACORE Sec. 78-414. - Education. https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV41LA S78-414ED Sec. 78-415. - Incentives https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_of ordinances?nodeld=PTIICOOR CH78ZO ARTIXSURE DIV4LA S78-415IN Page 94 of 95 Agenda Item #6. EXHIBIT A Florida Friendly Landscaping Code Citations Sec. 78-860. - Nonstructural fill in coastal high hazard areas (Zone V) (Does not pertain to landscaping.) https://library.municode.com/fl/tequesta/codes/code_ of ordinances?nodeld=PTI ICOOR CH78ZO ARTXIIFLDAPR DIV3FLREDE SD60TDE S78- 860NOFICOHI HAARZOV&wdLOR=cFD5D82CA-F159-354E-BB18-89DCF239FBF6 Page 95 of 95