Okaloosa County BOCC — September 6, 2016 — Land Development Code Change Landscaping — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: September 6, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: Land Development Code Change Landscaping DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: 2 - Ketchel & 5 - Windes STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Consideration of changes to the Land Development Code (LDC) as submitted by the Department of Growth Management amending Chapter 6 “Development Design Standards”, Section 6.05.00 “Landscaping”, Subsection 6.05.02 “Landscape Area Requirements.” The purpose of this amendment is to allow use of certain palm trees for landscaping on Okaloosa Island and the unincorporated area of Destin/Moreno point BACKGROUND:  Subsection 6.05.021, LDC currently requires use of “shade trees” for front perimeter landscape areas.  The LDC defines “shade tree” as Any self-supporting woody plant of a species that is well- shaped, well-balanced and well-foliated which normally grows to a height of at least 25 feet and normally develops an average mature spread of crown greater than 20 feet in Okaloosa County, Florida.  Subsection 6.05.022, LDC currently requires use of “canopy trees” for parking lot landscaping.  The LDC defines “canopy tree” as A tree, either single stemmed or multi-stemmed (clump form) which has a height at planting of at least eight feet and, if single stemmed, a diameter of at least two inches (measured six inches above grade) at the time of planting; and, is of a species which at maturity, can be expected to reach a height of at least 35 feet.  The preceding definitions preclude use of palm trees due to crown size or height stipulations.  The limitations described above resulted in four requests for variances during recent years where the applicant asked for substitution of palm trees for required shade or canopy trees on either Okaloosa Island or the Destin/Moreno Point area. In each case the Board of Adjustment (BOA) granted the variance request. Based upon evidence presented at the variance hearings the BOA requested that staff amend the LDC to allow palm trees to meet landscaping requirements.  The beaches area represents special conditions and circumstances not generally found in other areas of the County. These include, but are not limited to: sandy, well to moderately drained soils; salt air conditions; the tourist destination/resort character with related significant economic impact, and; aesthetic considerations shared with the City of Destin. In consideration of this, special landscaping requirements are appropriate.  The proposed change would allow palm trees adaptive to northwest Florida as acceptable required trees only on Okaloosa Island and the unincorporated area of Destin/Moreno Point. STAFF POSITION: Staff strongly supports the proposed LDC change. PLANNING COMMISSION: The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval at a public hearing held August 11, 2016. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE: No comment.  RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Board consider the facts presented herein, the Planning Commission recommendation, as well as any facts that may be presented at the public hearing, and then decide whether or not to adopt the proposed LDC changes by ordinance. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator