Item C1 Glossary Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Glossary
General
If definitions sought are not within this section, the County shall utilize the adopted definitions of
its LDC and, secondly, refer to the Florida Statutes. If a definition is not provided in these
documents, the County shall utilize the term as commonly used.
Acronyms
ACSC: Area of Critical State Concern
AWT: Advanced Wastewater Treatment
BOCC: Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
CHHA: Coastal High Hazard Area
CBRS: Coastal Barrier Resources System
DEO: Department of Economic Opportunity
DNL: Day/Night Average Sound Level
DOH: Florida Department of Health
DU: Dwelling Unit
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FAR: Floor Area Ratio
FDEP: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
FDOT: Florida Department of Transportation
FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
FKAA: Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
FKNMS: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
FLUM: Future Land Use Map
FWC: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
GHGEs: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
HUD: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
KEYWEP: Keys Wetland Evaluation Procedure
LDC: Land Development Code
LOS: Level of Service
LPA: Local Planning Agency
MHWL: Mean High Water Line
MIAI: Military Installation Area of Impact
MLWL: Mean Low Water Line
MMP: Maintenance and Management Plan
NASKW: Naval Air Station Key West
NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NROGO: Nonresidential Rate of Growth Ordinance
OSDS: On -Site Sewage Disposal System
ROGO: Rate of Growth Ordinance
Glossary 1 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
ROSPA: Recreation and Open Space Planning Area
ROW: Right of Way
SFWMD: South Florida Water Management District
TDR: Transferable Development Rights
TRE: Transfer of ROGO Exemption
UKROSPA: Upper Keys Recreation and Open Space Planning Area
USACE: United States Army Corps of Engineers
USFWS: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Defined Terms
A
Abandoned means discontinuation of a use. When the use of a property has ceased and the
property has been vacant for 18 months, abandonment of use will be presumed unless the owner
can show that a diligent effort has been made to sell, rent, or use the property for a legally
permissible use. This excludes temporary or short-term interruptions to a use or activity during
periods of remodeling, maintaining, or otherwise improving or rearranging a facility, or during
normal periods of vacation or seasonal closure.
Access or Approach Channels means artificially- created channels, constructed through
excavation, serving as waterways for watercraft, and providing access to open water. Access
channels do not include propeller- dredged channels. eisittawid
Accessory Use or Accessory Structure means a use or structure that:
(1) Is subordinate to and serves an existing principal use or principal structure; and
(2) Is subordinate in area, extent and purpose to an existing principal use or principal
structure served; and
(3) Contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the principal use or
principal structure served; and
(4) Is located on the same lot/parcel or on a lot/parcel that is under the same ownership as the
lot/parcel on which the principal use or principal structure is located; and
(5) Is located on the same lot/parcel or on a contiguous lot/parcel as an existing principal use
or principal structure, excluding accessory docking facilities that may be permitted on
adjacent lots /parcels pursuant to section 118 -12 of the County's LDC; and
(6) Is located in the same land use (zoning) district as the principal use or principal structure,
excluding off-site parking facilities pursuant to section 114 -67 of the County's LDC.
Active Recreation means recreational uses that require facilities or facility types such as, but not
limited to: athletic fields; buildings or structures for recreational activities, concessions, or
festivals; fitness courses; playing or courts; playgrounds; dog play areas; or bike paths.
Glossary 2 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Adaptation Action Area or Adaptation Area means an area prioritized for adaptation planning
because it is subject to coastal flooding due to extreme high tides and /or storm surge, and that is
vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea levels. This term is used herein for the purpose of
prioritizing adaptation planning.
Adjacent means land sharing a boundary with another parcel of land at one or more points of
intersection. An intervening road, right -of -way or easement shall not destroy the adjacency of the
two parcels, except for U.S. 1.
Administrative Relief means actions taken by the County granting the owner of real property
relief from the continued application of the rate of growth ordinance restrictions provided they
meet the criteria established in the Land Development Code.
Affordable Housing means residential dwelling units that meet the following requirements:
a. Meet all applicable requirements of the United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development minimum property standards as to room sizes, fixtures,
landscaping and building materials, when not in conflict with applicable laws of
the County; and
b. Have a sale price or rental amount that is within the financial means of County
households, as defined in the Land Development Code; and
c. Meet the income requirements, as defined in the Land Development Code
Agriculture means the science and art of production of plants and animals useful to humans,
including to a variable extent the preparation of these products for human use, and includes
aquaculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, mariculture / aquaculture, forestry, dairy,
livestock, poultry, and any and all forms of farm products and farm production.
Airport means any area of land or water, or any manmade object or facility located thereon,
which is used, or intended for use, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and any appurtenant
areas that are used, or intended for use, for airport buildings or other airport facilities or rights -
of -way, together with all airport buildings and facilities located thereon. There are both public
and private airports, which are differentiated as follows:
(a) A public airport is publicly or privately owned, meets minimum safety and service
standards, and is open for use by the public: and
(b) A private airport is publicly or privately owned, and is available for use by invitation
of the licensee. Services may be provided if authorized by the Florida Department of
Transportation.
Glossary 3 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Amendment means any action of the County which has the effect of amending, adding to,
deleting from or changing an adopted comprehensive plan element or map or map series,
including an action affecting a prior plan or plan amendment adoption ordinance, but shall not
mean a legislative act which only codifies County legislation or makes corrections, updates and
modifications of the capital improvements element concerning costs, revenue sources,
acceptance of facilities or facility construction dates consistent with the plan.
Archaeological Resource means a place and/or material remains where remnants of a past
culture or society survive in a physical context.
Arterial Road means a route providing service which is relatively continuous and of relatively
high traffic volume, long average trip length, high operating speed, and high mobility
importance. U.S.1 is an arterial road.
Available (as applied to a publically -owned or investor -owned sewerage system), means that the
sewerage system is capable of being connected to the plumbing of an establishment or residence,
is not under a department of environmental protection moratorium, and has adequate permitted
capacity to accept the sewage to be generated by the establishment or residence.
B
Beach means the zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the mean low
water line to the place where there is marked change in material or physiographic form, or to the
line of permanent vegetation, usually the effective limit of storm waves. "Beach," as used in the
Conservation and Coastal Management element, is limited to oceanic and estuarine shorelines.
Beach Berm means a bare, sandy shoreline with a mound or ridge of unconsolidated sand that is
immediately landward of, and usually parallel to, the shoreline and beach. The sand is calcareous
material that is the remains of marine organisms such as corals, algae and mollusks. The berm
may include forested, coastal ridges and may be colonized by hammock vegetation.
Beekeeping means the raising, caring for, and breeding of honeybees at an apiary site.
Beneficial Use means the use of property that allows an owner to derive a benefit or profit in the
exercise of a basic property right.
Bird Rookery means a communal nesting ground for gregarious birds.
Boat Barn means a structure enclosing and/or covering boat storage racks with a roof and one or
more sides and used for the storage of vessels and associated equipment not associated with
retail sales of boats. Boat barns within marinas may be considered as the principal building or
structure, but the marina remains the principal use.
Glossary 4 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Buffer /Buffervard means a land area of specified minimum width, together with required
planting and landscaping consisting of native vegetation or other species included on an
approved species list used to visibly separate one use from another, or to shield or block noise,
lights, or other nuisances. A bufferyard may also contain a barrier such as a berm, wall, or fence,
designed to provide screening.
Buildable Acre means the upland portion of a parcel that is not required open space. Also
referred to as Buildable Area.
Building means a structure that is located on land or water and which can be used for housing,
business, commercial, agricultural, storage or office purposes, either temporarily or permanently.
Built Environment means all structures and spaces that are created or modified by people.,
including utilities and transportation systems.
C
Cactus hammock means a low hammock with understories and/or ground covers with an
abundance of cacti of the genera Optunia and Cereus. Common species in cactus hammocks
include Barbed Wire Cactus (Cereus pentagonus) and Prickly Pear Cactus (Optunia stricta var.
dillenii). Rare species include Tree Cactus (Cereus robinii) and Prickly Apple Cactus (Cereus
gracilis).
Campground means any parcel of land, whether improved or unimproved, used for tent camping,
including pop -ups, for tenancies of less than six months.
Canal means a manmade trench, the bottom of which is normally covered by water with the
upper edges of its sides normally above water. (403.803, F.S.)
Capital Budget means the portion of the County's budget which reflects capital improvements
scheduled for a fiscal year.
Capital Improvement means the physical assets constructed or purchased to provide, improve or
replace a public facility and which are large scale and high in cost. The cost of a capital
improvement is generally nonrecurring and may require multi -year financing. Physical assets
which have been identified as existing or projected needs in the individual comprehensive plan
elements are capital improvements.
Carrying Capacity means the level of use which can be accommodated and continued without
irreversible impairment and degradation of natural resource productivity, the ecosystem, or the
Quality of air, land, or water resources.
Glossary 5 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Certificate of Occupancy means the written certification issued by the County that a building is
ready for occupancy for its intended use. A setup or tie -down permit issued for a mobile home
shall be considered a Certificate of Occupancy for the purposes of this article.
Channel means a trench, the bottom of which is normally covered entirely by water, with the
upper edges of its sides normally below water. (403.803, F.S.) Amiga
Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) means the area below the elevation of the Category 1 storm
surge line as established by a Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH)
computerized storm surge model.
Collector Road means a roadway providing service which is of relatively moderate traffic
volume, moderate trip length, and moderate operating speed. Collector roads collect and
distribute traffic between local roads and arterial roads.
Commercial Recreation means a use designed and equipped for the conduct of sports and
leisure -time activities (indoor and outdoor), operated as a business.
Commercial Apartment means an attached or detached residential dwelling unit, located on the
same parcel of land as a nonresidential use, that is intended to serve as permanent housing for the
owner or employees of that nonresidential use. The term does not include a tourist housing use or
vacation rental use.
Commercial Fishing means the catching, landing, processing or packaging of seafood for
commercial purposes, including the mooring and docking of boats and/or the storage of traps and
other fishing equipment and charter boat uses and sport diving uses.
Commercial Retail Use means an occupation or service providing primaril} for the sale of
consumer goods, products, merchandise or services.
Community Center means a defined geographic development focal area as identified within each
of the Livable CommuniKeys Plans.
Community Character means the image and perception of a community as defined by the
recognizable natural and built landmarks, boundaries and features that provide a sense of place
and orientation and the interrelationship of all these characteristics.
Compatibility means a condition in which land uses or conditions can coexist in relative
proximity to each other in a stable fashion over time such that no use or condition is unduly
negatively impacted directly or indirectly by another use or condition.
Comprehensive Plan means the compilation of goals, objectives, policies, and maps for the
physical, social, and economic development within the County, adopted by ordinance pursuant to
Glossary 6 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: Jul 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes, as amended and containing all statutorily- required
elements.
Concept Meeting means a meeting a private applicant must attend with the Planning and
Environmental Resources Department with the submission of an application for amendment to
the text of the Land Development Code and/or Comprehensive Plan to explain and identify
county -wide policy impacts for the Board of County Commissioners and the public.
Concurrence means that the necessary public facilities and services to maintain the adopted level
of service standards are available when the impacts of development occur.
Concurrence Management System means the procedures and/or process that the County will
utilize to assure that development orders and permits are not issued unless the necessary facilities
and services are available concurrent with the impacts of development.
Contiguous means a sharing of a common border at more than a single point of intersection.
Contiguity is not interrupted by utility easements.
County means, as used in this comprehensive plan, unincorporated Monroe County, Florida.
D
De Minimis Traffic Impact means an impact that would have a minimal or very minor effect
upon the adopted levels of service.
Density means an objective measurement of the magnitude of residential use on a site. Density is
measured and expressed as the number of dwelling units /rooms /spaces per acre of upland.
Density, Allocated means the number of dwelling units or rooms /spaces which may be permitted
to be developed per gross acre of upland without the use of Transferable Development Rights
(TDRs).
Density, Maximum Net means the maximum number of dwelling units or rooms /spaces which
may be permitted to be developed per buildable acre, with the use of Transferable Development
Rights (TDRs) or for affordable housing.
Detention means the temporary delay of stormwater runoff by a structure, for water quantity and
quality improvements, prior to discharge into receiving waters
lo ed F `th si
. a` in s and t ore s
Glossary 7 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
arryiniiiiiiiiiMEMME mining oation, the makitf
material change in the use or appearance of any structure or land, or the dividing of land into
r more parcels.
The following activities or uses shall be taken for the purposes of this Comprehensive Plan to
involve "development," as defined in this glossary:
a) A reconstruction, alteration of the size, or material change in the external appearance
of a structure on land.
b) A change in the intensity of use of land, such as an increase in the number of dwelling
units in a structure or on land or a material increase in the number of businesses,
manufacturing establishments, offices, or dwelling units in a structure or on land.
c) Alteration of a shore or bank of a seacoast, river, stream, lake, pond, or canal
including any "coastal construction" as defined in s. 161.021, F.S.
d) Commencement of drilling, except to obtain soil samples, mining, or excavation on a
parcel of land.
e) Demolition of a structure.
f) Clearing of land as an adjunct of construct
g) Deposit of refuse, solid or liquid w
The following operations or uses shall not be to his Comprehensive
Plan to involve "development" as defined in this gl
improvement of a road or railroad track, if the work is carried out on land within the
oun apes o`the refit- of -way
b) Work by any utility and other persons engaged in the distribution or transmission of
gas, electricity, or water, for the purpose of inspecting, repairing, renewing, or
constructing on established rights -of -way any sewers, mains, pipes, cables, utility
tunnels, power lines, towers, poles, tracks, or the like. This provision conveys no
property interest and does not eliminate any applicable notice requirements to
affected land owners.
c) Work for the maintenance, renewal, improvement, or alteration of any structure, if the
work affects only the interior or the color of the structure or the decoration of the
exterior of the structure.
d) The use of any structure or land devoted to dwelling uses for any purpose customarily
incidental to enjoyment of the dwelling.
e) The use of any land for the purpose of growing plants, crops, trees, and other
agricultural or forestry products; raising livestock; or for other agricultural purposes.
f) A change in use of land or structure from a use within a category specified in an
ordinance or rule to another use in the same category.
g) A change in the ownership or form of ownership of any parcel or structure.
h) The creation or termination of rights of access, riparian rights, ewthisiallitmti
concerning development of land, or other rights in land.
Glossar■ 8 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Development Order means any order granting, denying, or granting with conditions an
application for a development permit.
Development Permit means any building permit, plat approval, conditional use permit,
subdivision approval, rezoning, variance, special exception, or any other official action of
Monroe County having the effect of permitting the development of land.
Disturbed Land means land that manifests signs of environmental disturbance that has had an
observable effect on the structure and function of the natural community.
Disturbed Salt Marsh and Buttonwood Wetlands means salt marsh or buttonwood wetland
habitat with environmental disturbance that has had an observable effect on the structure and
function of the natural community.
Drainage Facilities means a system of man-made structures designed to collect, convey, hold,
divert, or discharge stormwater, and includes stormwater sewer, canals, detention structures, and
retention structures.
Dredging means excavation below water level or in wetlands.
Dune means a mound, bluff, or ridge of loose sediment, usually sand -sized sediment, lying landward
of the beach and deposited by any wind or ocean current or artificial mechanism.
Dwelling Unit means one or more rooms physically arranged for occupancy by one household
sharing common living, cooking, and toilet facilities.
E
Easement means a grant of one or more of the property rights by the property owner to and/or for
the use by the public, the County, a public or private utility, a corporation, or another person or
entity.
Element means a major division or chapter of the comprehensive plan. The required elements.,
per Florida Statutes, are: Future Land Use, Transportation (including Traffic Circulation, Mass
Transit, and Ports, Aviation and Related Facilities sub - elements), Infrastructure (including
Sanitary Sewer, Solid Waste, Drainage, Potable Water, and Natural Groundwater Aquifer
Recharge sub - elements), Conservation, Coastal Management, Recreation and Open Space.,
Housing, Intergovernmental Coordination, and Capital Improvements.
Environmentally Sensitive Lands means areas of native habitat requiring special management
attention to protect important fish and wildlife resources and other natural systems or processes.
Environmentally sensitive lands typically include wetlands and other surface waters, tropical
hardwood hammocks and pinelands.
Glossary 9 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
For the purposes of the Tier Overlay District (Policy 105.2.1) Environmentally Sensitive
Lands means areas of native upland habitat (hammock and pinelands).
Expansion of Nonconforming Use means extending a nonconforming use to occupy a greater
amount of area beyond that which it occupied on the date the use became nonconforming.
F
Family means a person living alone, or people living together as a single household and
sharing common living, cooking, and toilet facilities:
(1) Any number of people related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship, or duly
authorized custodial relationship;
(2) three unrelated people;
(3) two unrelated people and any children related to either of them.
Floodplain means any land area susceptible to being inundated by flood waters from any source.
(FEMA definition)
Floor Area means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of each story of a building, measured
from the exterior walls or from the centerline of party walls, including the floor area of accessory
uses and of accessory buildings and structures.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) means a measurement of the intensity of building development on a site. A
floor area ratio is the relationship between the gross floor area on a site and the gross upland area.
The FAR is calculated by adding together the gross floor areas of all buildings on the site and
dividing by the gross upland area. For example, the FAR of a 10,000 total square foot structure
on a one acre upland site equals: 10,000 square feet - 43,560 square feet (1 acre) = a FAR of
0.23.
Future Land Use Map (FL UM) means a graphic representation of the land use categories used in
the County and their placement on the land adopted as part of the comprehensive plan and used
as the regulatory map for implementation of the comprehensive plan and land development
regulations.
G
Goal means the long -term end toward which programs or activities are ultimately directed.
Grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction, next to
the proposed walls of a structure, or the crown or curb of the nearest road directly adjacent to the
structure, whichever is higher. To confirm the natural elevation of the ground surface, the county
shall utilize the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) dataset for Monroe County prepared in
Glossary 10 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
2007. In the event 2007 LiDAR data is not available for a given parcel, the county shall use the
best available data, including, but not limited to, pre - construction boundary surveys with
elevations, pre - construction topographic surveys, elevation certificates and/or other optical
remote sensing data.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGEs) means those emissions regulated under the Kyoto
Protocol, including: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Direct
GHGEs are emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the reporting entity such as
energy use for the electricity generation by utilities. Indirect GHGEs are emissions that are a
consequence of the activities of the reporting entity, but occur at sources owned or controlled by
another entity.
Green Infrastructure means strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands,
working landscapes and other open spaces that conserve ecosystem values and functions and
provide associated benefits to human populations.
H
Habitable Space mean any structure equipped for human habitation such as, but not limited to,
office, workshop, kitchen, dining, living, laundry, bathroom, bedroom, den, family or
recreational room., professional studio or commercial occupancy including all interior hallways,
corridors, stairways and foyers connecting these areas. Garages, exterior stairs and open decks
and patios are not considered habitable structures.
Hazardous Waste (or Materials) means solid waste which, because of its quantity, concentration,
or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may pose a substantial present or potential
hazard to human health and safety or to the environment when improperly transported, disposed
of, stored, treated, or otherwise managed.
Height means the vertical distance between grade and the highest part of any structure, including
mechanical equipment, but excluding the following: spires and/or steeples on structures used for
institutional and/or public uses only; chimneys; radio and/or television antenna; flagpoles; solar
apparatus; utility poles and/or transmission towers., and certain antenna supporting structures
with attached antenna and/or collocations as permitted in the Land Development Code. However,
in no event shall any of the exclusions enumerated in this section be construed to permit any
habitable or usable space to exceed the maximum height limitation. In the case of airport
districts, the height limitations therein shall be absolute and the exclusions enumerated in this
section shall not apply.
Historic, Cultural or Archaeological Landmark means a structure, district, or site designated by
BOCC Resolution as a historically, architecturally, or archaeologically significant landmark on
the Florida Keys Historic Register.
Glossary 11 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Historical Resource means a structure, district, or site listed on the Florida Master Site File, the
National Register of Historic Places, or designated by the BOCC as a local Historic or
Archaeological Landmark.
Historically Significant Housing means a dwelling unit that is designated as a local historic.,
cultural and/or archaeological landmark on the Florida Keys Historic Register, or is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Hotel /Motel means a building containing individual units for the purpose of providing overnight
lodging facilities for periods not exceeding 30 days to the general public for compensation with
or without meals, and which has common facilities for reservations and cleaning services,
combined utilities and on -site management and reception.
Household means all the people who occupy a housing unit. A household includes the related
family members and all the unrelated people, if any, such as lodgers, foster children, wards, or
employees who share the housing unit. A person living alone in a housing unit, or a group of
unrelated people sharing a housing unit such as partners or roomers, is also counted as a
household.
Household Income means all wages, assets, regular cash or noncash contributions or gifts from
persons outside the household, and such other resources and benefits as may be determined to be
income by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, adjusted for
family size, less deductions allowable under Section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code. Also
known as Adjusted Gross Income.
I
Immediate Vicinity means a distance of less than 5 miles.
Impact Fee means charges assessed against new development or redevelopment which partially
or wholly cover the cost of providing capital facilities needed to serve the development.
Impervious Surface means a surface that does not allow, or minimally allows, the penetration of
water; examples include building roofs, concrete and asphalt pavements, set pavers, and some
fine- grained soils, such as clays.
Industrial Use means a use devoted to the manufacture, warehousing, assembly, packaging,
processing, fabrication, storage or distribution of goods and materials whether new or used or the
substantial refinishing, repair and/or rebuilding of vehicles or boats.
Infrastructure means those man-made structures which service the common needs of the
population, such as: sewage disposal systems; potable water systems and wells: solid waste
disposal sites or retention areas; stormwater systems; utilities; piers; docks; wharves;
Glossary 12 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
breakwaters; bulkheads; seawalls; bulwarks; revetments; causeways; marinas; navigation
channels; bridges; and roadways.
Institutional - Residential Use means temporary or permanent housing associated with an
institutional organization that serves the recreational, religious, educational, cultural, scientific,
research, social service, or health needs of the community, such as a group home, foster care
facility, convent, nursing facility, student housing, life care /elderly housing, or scientific research
facility.
Institutional Use means a use that serves the recreational, religious, educational, cultural,
scientific, research, social service, or health needs of the community, including, but not limited
to, educational and scientific research facilities that serve the region and day care and preschool
facilities.
Intensity means an objective measurement of the magnitude of nonresidential use on a site.
Intensity is measured and expressed as a floor area ratio (FAR) (see definition of Floor Area
Ratio).
K
Keys Wetland Evaluation Procedure (KEYWEP) means a specific wetlands evaluation procedure
developed for wetlands in the Florida Keys. It includes a scoring procedure used to determine
wetland mitigation requirements. It was developed as part of the Advanced Identification of
Wetlands Program.
L
Land means the earth, at or below the surface that lies above high tide for lands subject to tidal
inundation and mean high water for freshwater bodies of water.
Land Development Code (LDC) means ordinances enacted by the County for the regulation of
any aspect of development as defined herein.
Level of Service means an indicator or the extent or degree of service provided by, orproposed to
be provided by a facility based on and related to the operational characteristics of the facility.
Level of service indicates the capacity per unit of demand for each public facility.
Live Aboard Vessel means
(a) Any vessel used solely as a residence and not for navigation;
(b) Any vessel represented as a place of business or a professional or other commercial
enterprise; or
(c) Any vessel for which a declaration of domicile has been filed pursuant to s. 222.17, F.S.
Glossary 13 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
A commercial fishing boat is expressly excluded from the term live - aboard vessel. Live - aboard
vessels are expressly excluded from the allocation system, as the vessels do not occupy a distinct
location, and therefore cannot be accounted for in the County's hurricane evacuation model.
Under no circumstances shall a vessel or associated wet slips be transferred upland or converted
to a dwelling unit of any other type. Vessels or associated wet slips are not considered ROGO
allocation awards, and may not be used as the basis for any type of ROGO exemption or TRE.
Local Planning Agency means the agency designated to prepare a comprehensive plan or plan
amendment pursuant to the Community Planning Act. (aka: Planning Commission)
Low Impact Development (LID) means an approach to land development that works with nature
to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible using various land planning and design
practices and technologies. Some common LID practices include:
• Vegetated swales, buffers and strips
• Permeable pavers
• Green roofs
• Rain gardens and bioretention
• Tree or natural area preservation
• Rain gardens, rain barrels or cisterns
• In- ground infiltration and storage
• Green build programs such as Florida Water Star
M
Maintenance Dredging means the removal of shoaling and /or sedimentation in channels, basins,
canals, and harbors necessary to return such areas to their previous configurations, dimensions
and depths. Maintenance dredging is subject to specific conditions and limitations (e.g., natural
resource restrictions and dredged spoil disposal methods).
Major Trip Generator means facilities generating over two thousand (2,000) trips per day.
Marina means a facility for the storage and mooring of vessels and/or live - aboard vessels,
together with accessory retail and service uses, and may include restaurants, vessel rentals,
charter vessels, vessel repair, sport diving uses, the provision of fuel, and vessel launching . The
term marina does not include docks accessory to a land -based dwelling unit limited to the use of
owners or occupants of the dwelling unit.
Marine Educational /Research Facility means a building or place that provides marine education
and research services, including, but not limited to, classrooms, libraries, auditoriums,
laboratories, museums, ocean energy or coral reef management test sites, and dockage.
Glossary 14 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Mitigation (as related to wetlands) means a wetland enhancement, restoration, creation and/or
preservation project that serves to offset unavoidable wetland impacts associated with
development.
Mitigation (as related to climate change) means an intervention to reduce the causes of changes
in climate, such as reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Mobile Home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is 8 body feet or
more in width and over 35 feet in length and which is built on an integral chassis and designed to
be used as a dwelling when connected to the required utilities. Expandable recreational vehicles,
known as "park models," designed and built as permanent residences, are considered mobile
homes as well.
N
Native Upland Vegetation/Habitat (also Upland Native Vegetation/Habitat) means native plant
species, either new growth or mature, occurring within native upland plant communities
including pinelands, cactus hammocks, palm hammocks or tropical hardwood hammocks.
Within pineland habitats, the dominant canopy consists of slash pines (Pinus elliottii var. densa).
Many of the species include:
Common Name I Scientific Name /Species I Habitat
Bahama Nightshade J Solanunr hahamense Hardwood Hammock
Big Pine partridge pea; Florida Keys
senna: key cassia Cassia kevensis Pinelands
Black Bead Pithecellobium guadalupense I Hardwood Hammock
Black Ironwood Krugiodendron ferreum I Hardwood Hammock
Black Torch Erithalis fruticosa Hardwood Hammock
Blodgett's silverbush Argvthamnia blodgettii Pinelands
Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus Hardwood Hammock
Cockspur Pisonia rotundata Hardwood Hammock
Crabwood Ateramnus lucidus Hardwood Hammock
Darling Plum Revnosia septentrionalis Hardwood Hammock
Everglades Velvetseed Guettarda elliptica Hardwood Hammock
Florida five- petalled leafflower Phvllanthus pentaphyllys var. floridanus Pinelands
Florida Keys noseburn Tragia saxicola Pinelands
Florida Keys wedge sandmat Chamaesvice deltoidea var. serpyllum I Pinelands
Garber's spurge: Garber's sandmat Chamaesvce garberi Pinelands, hammocks, sand
dunes
Gumbo Limbo Bursera simaruba Hardwood Hammock
Indigo Berry I Randia aculeata Hardwood Hammock
Jamaican Dogwood ( Piscidia piscipula Hardwood Hammock
Ke s hai -sodded s.urle Chamaes ce orteriana var. kevensis Pinelands, sand dunes
Lancewood Nectandrea coriacea Hardwood Hammock
Glossary 15 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Common Name Scientific Name /Species Habitat
Limber Caper Capparis flexuosa rHardwood Ha mmock
Locustberry Brvsonima cuneata Hardwood Hammock
Long Stalked Stopper I Psidium longipes Hardwood Hammock
Mahogany ( Swietenia mahogoni Hardwood Hammock
Maidenbush I f Savia bahamensis Hardwood Hammock
Marlberry Ardisia escallanioides Hardwood Hammock
Milkbark I Drvpetes diversifolia Hardwood Hammock
Myrsine Myrsine floridana Hardwood Hammock
Pigeon Plum Coccoloba diversifolia Hardwood Hammock
Poisonwood Metopium toxiferum Hardwood Hammock
Porter's spurge I C'hamaesyce porteriana var. scoparia Pinelands
Saffron Plum J Bumelia celastrina Hardwood Hammock
Sand croton Croton arenicola Pinelands, sand dunes
Sand flax Linum arenicola Pinelands
Silky bluestem Schizachyrium sericatum Pinelands
Silver dwarf morning -glory Evolvulus sericeus var. averyi Pinelands
Small -leaf squarestem ' Melanthera parvifolia ( Pinelands
Snowberry I Chiococca alba I Hardwood Hammock
Spanish Stopper I Eugenia foetida Hardwood Hammock
Spicewood ( Calvptranthes pallens Hardwood Hammock
Tallowwood I Ximenia americana I Hardwood Hammock
Tenlobe false foxglove Gerardia kevensis (Agalinis) Pinelands
Torchwood I Amyris elemifera I Hardwood Hammock
White Stopper Eugenia axillaris Hardwood Hammock
Wild Cinnamon Canella winterana I Hardwood Hammock
Wild Coffee Psychotria nervosa Hardwood Hammock
Wild Dilly I Manilkara bahamensis Hardwood Hammock
Wild Lantana I Lantana involucrata Hardwood Hammock
Wild Lime 1 Zanthoxylum fagara Hardwood Hammock
Wild Tamarind Lysiloma latisiliquum I Hardwood Hammock
Willow Bustic I Bumelia salicifolia I Hardwood Hammock
Natural Drainage Features means the naturally occurring features of an area which
accommodate the flow of stormwater, e.g., streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Natural Resources means the air, water, water recharge areas, wetlands, waterwells, estuarine
marshes, soils, beaches, shores, flood plains, rivers, bays, lakes, harbors, forests, fisheries and
wildlife, marine habitat, minerals, and other environmental resources.
Nesting Areas (for birds) means those areas that birds use for nesting. This applies to wading
birds, hawks, falcons, seabirds, shorebirds, and any bird species federally or state - listed as
endangered, threatened, or a species of special concern. This definition does not apply to non-
native invasive or nuisance species.
Glossary 16 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Nonconforming Structure, as used in the Comprehensive Plan and LDC, means a structure which
does not conform to a current provision or regulation provided in the Comprehensive Plan and /or
LDC.
Nonconforming Structure, Lawful, as used in the Comprehensive Plan and LDC, means a
structure which does not conform to a current provision or regulation provided in the
Comprehensive Plan and /or LDC, but was permitted, or otherwise in existence lawfully, prior to
the effective date of the ordinance adopting the current provision or regulation that rendered the
structure nonconforming.
Nonconforming Use means a use which does not conform to a current provision or regulation
provided in the Comprehensive Plan and/or LDC.
Nonconforming Use, Lawful means a use which does not conform to a current provision or
regulation provided in the Comprehensive Plan and/or LDC, but was permitted, or otherwise in
existence lawfully, prior to the effective date of the ordinance adopting the current provision or
regulation that rendered the use nonconforming.
NROGO Subarea means the division of the unincorporated area of the county, outside of the
county mainland, for the Permit Allocation and Point System (or Rate of Growth Ordinance —
ROGO), as follows:
(1) Upper Keys: the unincorporated area of the county north of Tavernier Creek and
corporate limits of the Village of Islamorada (approximately mile marker 90).
(2) Lower Keys: the unincorporated area of the county from the corporate limits of the
Village of Islamorada (approximately mile marker 72) south to the corporate limits of
the City of Key West at Cow Key Bridge on U.S. Highway 1 (approximately mile
marker 4), excluding Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
(3) Big Pine Key and No Name Key: the islands of Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
0
Objective means a specific, measurable, intermediate end that is achievable and marks progress
toward a goal.
Offshore Island means an area of land, surrounded by water, which is not directly or indirectly
connected to U.S. 1 by a bridge, road or causeway.
Open Space means (in relation to recreation) undeveloped lands that are suitable for passive
recreation, landscape, preservation, or conservation uses.
Glossary 17 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Open Space means (in relation to open space ratio calculations) that portion of any parcel or area
of land or water that is required to be maintained such that the area within its boundaries is open
and unobstructed from the ground to the sky.
P
Palm hammock means a low hammock where one out of every five of the dominant canopy
plants is a native palm characterized by the state thatch palm, Thrinax radiata.
Paratransit means a form of public transportation characterized by the flexible routing and
scheduling of small vehicles (taxis, vans, or small buses) to provide shared occupancy, doorstep,
or curbside personalized transportation service.
Park means an active or passive recreational facility operated for the benefit of the general
public by a public or quasi - public agency.
Passive Recreation means non - motorized recreational activities that have a low impact on
natural resources such as hiking, photography, or nature studies, and if specifically designated.,
bicycling, picnicking, or fishing.
Plat means an official subdivision approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
Policy means the way in which programs and activities are conducted to achieve an identified
goal.
Port means a place alongside navigable water with facilities for the loading and unloading of
vessels.
Principal Use means the primary land use established on a parcel.
Public Facilities means major capital improvements, including transportation, sanitary sewer,
solid waste, drainage, potable water, educational, parks and recreational facilities.
Public Interest means demonstrable environmental, social, and economic benefits which'ould
accrue to the public at large as a result of a proposed action.
Public Navigation Channel means a channel that was constructed or is maintained by a public
entity, such as a federal or State agency, Monroe County or other local government for the
purpose of transporting people or goods for commerce, recreation or other purposes.
Public Water Access means public access to the waterfront, including but not limited to beaches,
shorelines, marinas, boat ramps or other water - oriented facilities. Access may be pedestrian or by
Glossary 18 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
bicycle, vehicle or vessel. Public water access may also mean access to the upland from the
water.
Public Recreation Site means a site owned or leased by a federal, state, regional, or County
agency for purposes of recreational use by the public.
R
Reclamation means the filling, backfilling, restructuring, reshaping, and/or revegetation within
and around a land excavation or filling area to a safe and aesthetic condition.
Recreational and Commercial Working Waterfront means a parcel or parcels of real property
that provide access for water - dependent commercial activities, including hotels and motels as
defined in the Florida Statutes, or provide access for the public to the navigable waters of the
state. Recreational and commercial working waterfronts require direct access to or a location on,
over, or adjacent to a navigable body of water. The term includes water - dependent facilities that
are open to the public and offer public access by vessels to the waters of the state or that are
support facilities for recreational, commercial, research, or governmental vessels. These facilities
include public lodging establishments, docks, wharfs, lifts, wet and dry marinas, boat ramps,
boat hauling and repair facilities, commercial fishing facilities, boat construction facilities, and
other support structures over the water. As used in this definition, the term "vessel" has the same
meaning as in the Florida Statutes. Seaports are excluded from the definition.
Recreation and Open Space Planning Area (ROSPA) means the four geographical planning areas
within Monroe County established for the purposes of inventory of existing facilities, and
calculation of Level of Service and needs for recreation and open space areas and facilities. The
ROSPAs include the incorporated cities and their facilities which may service a population that
extends beyond an individual city's boundaries, e.g., Monroe County School District schools
serve populations beyond the city boundaries, as well as the unincorporated County as a whole.
The four designated areas and their boundaries are:
1. Mainland ROSPA (MROSPA): The MROSPA encompasses the south and southwest
tip of Florida. Although the MROSPA is connected to the Keys portion of the County by
roads, these roads actually travel through Dade County, Florida.
2. Upper Keys ROSPA (UKROSPA): The northernmost limit of the UKROSPA is MM
112 which is the southern limit of Dade County. The UKROSPA continues southeast and
then south to MM 73 and includes a portion of the Keys on Key Largo along SR 905 to
Ocean Reef. The UKROSPA contains the incorporated city of the Village of Islamorada.
3. Middle Keys ROSPA (MKROSPA): The MKROSPA extends west - southwest from
MM 73 to MM 38.5 which is the south end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The MKROSPA
contains the incorporated cities of Layton, Key Colony Beach and Marathon.
Glossary 19 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
4. Lower Keys ROSPA (LKROSPA): The LKROSPA extends west from MM 38.5 to
MM 0 and includes the non -land linked Keys of the Dry Tortugas, the Sand Keys, and the
Marquesas Keys. Key West, the County seat and the largest city, is included in the
LKROSPA.
Recycling is minimizing waste generation by recovering and reprocessing usable products that
might otherwise become waste (i.e., recycling of aluminum cans, paper and bottles, etc.).
Redevelopment means the rehabilitation, improvement, and/or demolition and replacement of
existing development on a site.
Resident (Permanent) Population means inhabitants counted in the same manner utilized by the
United States Bureau of the Census, in the category of total population. Resident population does
not include seasonal population.
Resilience (in relation to climate change) means the capability to anticipate, prepare for, respond
to, and recover from significant multi - hazard threats with minimum damage to social well- being,
the economy and the environment.
Resource -Based Recreation means recreational activities that typically are dependent on natural
resources and the natural outdoor environment. These activities have little, if any, adverse
impact on a site and are compatible with natural and /or cultural resource protection.
Retention means the storage of a specific volume of stormwater runoff within a defined area
having no direct discharge into receiving waters: included as examples are systems which
discharge through percolation, filtered bleed -down and evaporation processes.
Reuse (in relation to resource extraction sites) means the planned activity or activities that are
intended for the land excavation or filling area and/or abutting land after the excavation or filling
ceases and reclamation is completed.
Right -of -Way means land acquired and owned by the state, a county, a municipality, or utility
and reserved, dedicated, or required for public use.
Rip -Rap means a permanent erosion - resistant ground cover consisting of loosely placed pieces of
natural stone or clean concrete rubble six (6) inches to three (3) feet in diameter (average
dimensions), which is free of attached sediments or reinforcing rods or other similar protrusions.
ROGO Subarea means the division of the unincorporated area of the county, outside of the
county mainland, for the residential Permit Allocation and Point System (or Rate of Growth
Ordinance — ROGO), as follows:
(1) Upper Keys: the unincorporated area of the county north of Tavernier Creek and
corporate limits of the Village of Islamorada (approximately mile marker 90).
Glossary 20 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
(2) Lower Keys: the unincorporated area of the county from the corporate limits of the
Village of Islamorada (approximately mile marker 72) south to the corporate limits of
the City of Key West at Cow Key Bridge on U.S. Highway 1 (approximately mile
marker 4), excluding Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
(3) Big Pine Key and No Name Key: the islands of Big Pine Key and No Name Key
within unincorporated the county.
Room, Hotel or Motel, means a unit in a public lodging establishment as defined by Florida
Statutes intended for transient lodging only for periods not exceeding 30 days. Transient
occupancy shall conform to the definition contained in Florida Statutes. For the purposes of
density restriction:
(1) Hotel or motel room may be a single room or a suite which may include a kitchenette
but no more than 1' /z bathrooms and one bedroom and one other living area.
(2) Suites containing more than one bedroom and 1 baths may be constructed; however,
each bedroom/bath combination shall be considered a hotel /motel room.
(3) All entrances to a hotel or motel unit shall share the same key or means of controlling
access so that the hotel or motel room as defined herein is not divisible into separately
rentable units.
s
Salt Marsh and Buttonwood Wetlands means two plant associations that are sometimes
collectively or individually referred to as the "transitional wetland zone." The salt marsh
community is a wetland area subject to tidal influence, and the vegetation is dominated by
nonwoody groundcovers and grasses. The vegetation may include, but is not limited to, the
following nonwoody species:
Scientific Name !Common Name
Sporobolus virginicus Dropseed
Batis maritima Saltwort
[ 1 Distichlis spicata Salt grass
Monanthochloe Key grass
Salicornia spp. Glasswort
Sesuviunm portulacastrum (1 Sea purslane
1 Spartina spartinae Cordgrass
Fimbristylis castanea Chestnut sedge
Glossary 21 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Woody vegetation that may be present includes the three species of mangroves, as well as
buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus); however, the salt marsh community is distinguished by the
dominance of nonwoody plants, and the woody species have a coverage of less than 40 percent.
The salt marsh community may be associated and intermixed with areas of almost bare ground
on which the vegetation may be limited to masts of periphyton.
The buttonwood wetland is a wetland that is usually present in the more landward zone of the
transitional wetland area, and may intermix with more upland communities. The vegetation may
include, but is not limited to, the following species:
Scientific Name Common Name
I Sporobolus virginicus I Dropseed
Borrichia sir Sea oxeye daisy
1 Bumeiia celastrina IISaffron plum
Coccoloba uvifera IISea grape
Conocarpus erectus I Buttonwood
F Erlthahis fruticosa Black torch
'Scientific Name [Common Name
$Firnbristylis castanea IIChestnut sedge
Jacquinia keyensis I Joewood
Lycium Carolinianum Christmas berry
Mavtenus phyllanthoides Mayten
The buttonwood wetland is distinguished from the salt marsh wetland by the dominance of
buttonwood trees, usually occurring as an open stand that permits the growth of an understory of
groundcovers and shrubs. The buttonwood wetland is, in turn, distinguished from more upland
communities by the presence of graminoids and halophytic groundcovers under its open canopy,
and generally by the lack of an appreciable layer of humus and leaf litter. As referenced
throughout these regulations, "salt marsh and buttonwood" habitat refers collectively and
individually to "salt marsh" and "buttonwood" habitats for the purpose of determining regulatory
requirements.
Scarified Land means an area that is cleared of native vegetation, or topographically modified
such that the land is not currently in a successional sequence leading to the establishment of the
vegetative communities that were cleared or disturbed.
Glossary 22 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Seasonal Population means the part -time inhabitants who utilize, or may be expected to utilize,
public facilities or services, but are not residents. Seasonal population includes longer -term
visitors who reside during their stay in owner- occupied or leased/rented accommodations.
Shore or Shoreline means the interface of land and water and, as used in the coastal management
and conservation element requirements, is limited to oceanic and estuarine interfaces.
Shoreline Stabilization Strategy means an approach to shore erosion control practices using
hardened structures such as bulkheads, rip rap or seawalls or using restoration practices such as
plantings to stabilize, protect and enhance the built and natural environments from erosion and
sea level rise impacts.
State Land Planning Agency means the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO),
formerly the Department of Community Affairs.
Stormwater means the flow of water which results from a rainfall event.
Stormwater Facilities mean manmade structures that are part of a stormwater management
system designed to collect, convey, hold, divert, or discharge stormwater, and may include
stormwater sewers, canals, detention facilities and retention facilities.
Structure means anything constructed, installed or portable, the use of which requires a location
on a parcel of land. It includes a movable building that can be used for housing, business,
commercial, agricultural or office purposes, either temporarily or permanently. The term
"structure" also includes roads, walkways, paths, fences, swimming pools, tennis courts, poles,
pipelines, transmission lines, tracks, signs, cisterns, sewage treatment plants, sheds, docks,
mooring areas, off -shore swimming platforms and other accessory construction.
Subdivision (or Subdivide) means the division of land into three or more lots, parcels, tracts,
tiers, blocks, sites, units, or any other division of land.
Submerged Land means the area situated below the mean high water line of a standing body of
water, including ocean, estuary, lake, pond, river or stream. For the purpose of this definition.,
drainage detention areas created as a function of development that are recorded on an approved
final site plan or other authorized development order action of the County, and wetlands
landward of the mean, shall not be considered submerged land.
Sustainable Building Rating or National Model Green Building Code means a rating system
established by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the International Green Construction Code
(IGCC), the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes rating system, the Florida Green Building
Coalition standards, or a nationally recognized, high - performance green building rating system
as approved by the department.
Glossary 23 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
T
Temporary Housing, Emergency or Non - Emergency, means recreational vehicles (or similar
approved sheltering units) used for temporary occupancy.
Threatened and Endangered Species means plant or animal species listed as such under the
provisions of the Endangered Species Act, and/or Florida Statutes, and the Florida Endangered
and Threatened Special Act.
Tourist means those part-time inhabitants who utilize, or may be expected to utilize, public
facilities or services, but are not residents. Tourist population includes short-term visitors who
reside during their stay in transient accommodations.
Transient Unit means a dwelling unit used for transient housing such as hotel or motel room.,
seasonal residential unit, or space for parking a recreational vehicle or travel trailer.
Transit means transportation services available to the public on a regular basis by bus, rail, or
other vehicle, and usually on a fare- paying basis. Transit may be provided by either public,
private or non - profit entities.
Transit Facility means the property, equipment, and improvements of whatever nature owned,
used, constructed, maintained, controlled, or operated to provide mass transportation for
passengers or to provide for the movement of people, including park- and -ride lots, transfer
stations, bus stops, shelters, benches, signs, structures, and other improvements.
Transportation Disadvantaged means those persons who because of physical or mental
disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation
and are, therefore, dependent upon others to obtain access to health care, employment, education,
shopping, social activities, or other life - sustaining activities.
al HaPiltoofflififfhmock mks an upland hardwood forest 111111111111ty
road- leafed trees, shrubs, and vines, nearly all of which are native to the West Indie
haracteristic tropical plants include strangler fig, gumbo- limbo, mastic, bustic, lancewood,
Ironwoods, poisonwood, pigeon plum. Jamaica dogwood, and Bahama lysiloma.
U
ur
Upland means the area of a site landward of mean high water, excluding submerged lands and
tidally inundated mangroves.
Upland Native Vegetation/Habitat (see Native Upland Vegetation/Habitat)
Glossary 24 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
Useful Life means the period during which an asset or property is expected to be usable for the
purpose it was acquired. It may or may not correspond with the item's actual physical life or
economic life.
Utility means facilities such television cable, telephone exchanges, electric generation plants,
stormwater collection systems, high power transmission lines and substations, gas distribution
lines and sewage treatment collections systems and disposal plants.
V
Vessel means every description of watercraft, barge, and airboat, other than a seaplane on the
water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
Vulnerability to Climate Change means the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of
systems to climate change.
w
Wastewater Treatment Collection System means the use of land and its above ground installed
appurtenances related to the collection and transmission of wastewater to a treatment facility
located on another lot or parcel.
Wastewater Treatment Facility means the use of land and its appurtenances for the treatment of
wastewater collected predominately from other lots or parcels.
Water - Dependent Use means a use that must physically be located in, on, over, or adjacent to
water in order to conduct its primary purpose and which, therefore, cannot be located inland.
e.g., marinas, boat rentals, boat yards, docks, wharfs, lifts, boat ramps, boat hauling, repair, and
construction facilities, commercial fishing facilities, and other support structures on, over, or
adjacent to navigable bodies of water.
Water - Enhanced Use means a use that is not water - dependent or water - related uses but benefits
economically or aesthetically by its location adjacent to or on the waterfront. The term includes
dock side bars, restaurants, hotels, motels, and residential uses.
Water - Related Use means an activity not dependent on direct access to water in order to conduct
its primary purpose, but which provides goods or services directly related to water - dependent
uses, e.g., marine supplies, boat dealers, boat maintenance and repair.
Wetlands means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a
frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a
prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils. Soils present in wetlands
Glossary 25 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014
Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Update
generally are classified as hydric or alluvial, or possess characteristics that are associated with
reducing soil conditions. The prevalent vegetation in wetlands generally consists of facultative or
obligate hydrophytic macrophytes that are typically adapted to areas having soil conditions
described above. These species, due to morphological, physiological, or reproductive
adaptations, have the ability to grow, reproduce, or persist in aquatic environments or anaerobic
soil conditions. (Florida Keys wetlands include freshwater marsh, salt marsh, buttonwood, salt
ponds, freshwater lenses, mangroves, and some areas of tropical hardwood hammocks and
pinelands).
Wetland Boundary means the landward extent of wetlands dominated by plant species, soils and
other hydrologic evidence indicative of regular and periodic inundation or saturation.
Glossary 26 Keith and Schnars, P.A.
Comprehensive Plan: July 2014