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Case Nos. APP-95-016 & APP-95-0151 STATE OF FLORIDA FLORIDA LAND AND WATER ADJUDICATORY DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, Petitioners, Vs. BROWARD MANAGEMENT, Owner, D'ASCANIO CORP., general contractor; and MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, Respondent. CASE NOS. APP-95-016 APP-95-015 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT This Agreement is entered into by and between BROWARD MANAGEMENT, Owner/Developer; MONROE COUNTY, Florida, a political subdivision of the State of Florida; and the DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ("the Department" or "DCA"). W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, BROWARD MANAGEMENT, INC. is the owner of real property known as Part of Lots 1, Block 21, Coco Plum Beach Subdivision, Fat Deer Key, ("the subject property") within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern; and WHEREAS, on April 3, 1995, Monroe County issued building permit nos. 9520000366 and 92200003078 authorizing development of a single family residence and the placement of fill on the subject property; and agreement/broward.aggrr! 1/25/96 1 WHEREAS, on May 18, 1995 and April 27, 1995, the Department timely appealed the respective permits to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission; and WHEREAS, the Department is the state land planning agency with the duty and responsibility of administering and enforcing the provisions of Chapter 380, Florida Statutes, the Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act of 1972 ("The Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including the Monroe County comprehensive plan and land development regulations in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 380.032(3), Florida Statutes, the Department is authorized to enter into agreements with any landowner, developer, or governmental agency as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of The Act or any rules promulgated thereunder; and WHEREAS, the parties wish to avoid the expense, delay and uncertainty of litigation and resolve the above -styled development order appeal and related issues under the terms and conditions set forth herein, and it is in their best interests to do so; and WHEREAS, the Department finds that this agreement is in the best interests of the state and is necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of Chapter 380, Florida Statutes. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: agreement/broward.agm 1/25/96 2 1. Recital:. Ti ez above recitals are, incorporated herein and form a material part of this agreement. 2. Owners sisal 1 complete construction of subject single family residence as o picted in the revised site plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit ''A." 3. Owners shc.l.l adhere to tr.e recommendations and requirements of the ",,ea Turtle Setback Ms.ti.gation Plan," prepared by Lewis Environmental Services, :Cnc. , dated June 8, 1995 (attached hereto as Exhibit "B"), including but not limited to beach vegetation restoration, fire ant eradication, a conservation easement for Save -A -Turtle, and an elevated beach boardwalk, with the following modifications: a. Owners may substitute common green buttonwood for the sea lavender required in the vegetation plan; however, green buttonwood may not be substituted for the bay cedar required in the vegetation plan; b. Owners shall schodule restoration of beach berm vegetat=on on the subject property so as not to interrupt or interfere with turtle nesting season, which occurs annually April 14th through October .6th; and C. Owners shall substitute a footpath for the elevated boardwalk reflected i.i the revised site plan (Exhibit A). 4. Should Owne..cs desire to clean, clear, or "scrape" the beach on the subject prc oerty, owners agree to obtain all necessary permits from the Department of Environmental protection, Division agreement/broward.agm 1./25/96 3 of Beaches and Coastal System Management, and provide a copy of said permit to the Department prior to any such activity. 5. The subject single family development shall be set back from the mean high water line (MHWL) in order to protect the known turtle nesting area of Coco Plum Beach. Under the unique circumstances of this case -- wherein the permit was applied for, revised more than once, separate lot owners filed separate permits, a consolidated permit for many of the lots was never withdrawn, and some construction had occurred -- the setback is measured from a fixed point (the seaward edge of Avenue C) for a distance seaward, such that the most seaward edge of the subject house will be located at the setback line, described as follows: The setback line is a straight line with the western end to be located by proceeding southerly from the south right-of-way of Avenue C for 227' along the west property line of the lot. The eastern end of the setback line is located by proceeding 147' from the northeast corner of the property, said corner being 55' from the south right-of-way of Avenue C. Owners reserve the right to prepare and incorporate into this agreement a more detailed legal description of the setback area prepared by a licensed surveyor. Owners shall erect stationary monuments on the property, on a lot -by -lot basis, from which the setback line is marked, maintained, and preserved into perpetuity. Owners shall maintain the area seaward of the single family house in a natural state by retaining native vegetation, removing invasive exotic vegetation and eradicating fire ants, pursuant to Exhibit B. No additional development shall occur in this area. agreement/broward.agx: 1/25/96 4 6. Further Proceedings. Within feve (5) working days after an amended development order consistent with this agreement is rendered to the Department, the Department shall file a notice of voluntary dismissal of this appeal and seek a final order from the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission concluding this appeal proceeding. By their signatures hereon, the parties to this agreement join in any request to place this matter in abeyance pending issuance of an amended development order and the filing of a notice of voluntary dismissal, and join in any request for entry of a final order consistent with this agreement. 7. Caveat. The parties acknowledge their disagreement over whether the subject development order is consistent with the provisions of Chapter 380, Florida Statutes, relating to areas of critical state concern and the administrative rules promulgated thereunder and have entered into this settlement agreement solely in the spirit of compromise. By their signatures hereon, no party shall be deemed to have acquiesced in the position of another party with regard to the proper interpretation and implementation of statutory and regulatory provisions relating to areas of critical state concern. This agreement shall not be given precedential effect with regard to any other development orders for other projects in an area of critical state concern. 8. Retention of Right to Final Hearing. Time is of the essence of this agreement. If any party fails to implement this agreement within the time periods prescribed hereunder, or if this agreement is based upon materially false or inaccurate information, agreement/broward.agm 1/25/96 5 any party shall be entitled to withdraw from this agreement and seek a final hearing in this case by motion filed with the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission. 9. Certification of Understanding and Voluntary Execution; Release; Costs and Attorney's Fees. The parties and/or their authorized representatives each certify that they have read and understand the terms and conditions of this agreement and that it is voluntarily executed for the purposes of making a full and final settlement of any and all claims, disputes or otherwise, which could have been asserted against the other party as a result of the appeal of the subject development order. The parties hereto release each other party from any and all claims of whatever nature which arise or may arise out of the appeal of permit nos. 9520000366 and 95200003078. Each party shall bear its own costs and attorney's fees incurred in this proceeding. 10. Drafting of Agreement. The parties shall be deemed to have participated generally in the drafting of this agreement. Accordingly, this agreement shall be construed neutrally without regard to the party or parties responsible for its preparation, and any terms, conditions, uncertainty, or ambiguity shall not be construed against any of the parties as a result of the drafting of this agreement. 11. Scope of Authority. This Agreement affects the rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of Chapter 380, Florida Statutes, relating to areas of critical state concern. It is not intended to influence or determine the authority or agreement/broward.agm 1/25/96 6 decisions of any other state or local government or agency in issuance of any other permits or approvals that might be required by state law or local ordinance for any development authorized by this Agreement. 12. Duplicate Originals. This Agreement may be executed in any number of originals, all of which evidence one agreement, and only one of which need be produced for any purpose. 13. Bindina Effect; Recordation of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding on the parties, their heirs, successors and assigns. Within ten (10) days after entry of a final order by the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission concluding this appeal, the Owner shall record this Agreement in the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and shall promptly provide proof of recordation to Monroe County and the Department, including the official records book and page where this Agreement is recorded. Proof of recordation shall be furnished by hand delivery or U.S. Mail, postage prepaid to the County by directing same to Antonia Gerli, Acting Planning Director, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050, and to the Department by directing same to Mike McDaniel, Growth Management Administrator, Region 2, Division of Resource Planning and Management, Department of Community Affairs, 2740 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100, or to such other person or address as the County or Department may hereafter direct in writing. Communications to the Owner/Developer regarding this agreement and the development authorized thereby shall be directed agreement/broward.agm 1/25/96 7 to Tony D'Ascanio, D'A.sign Source, 5800 Overseas Highway, Suite 17, Marathon, Florida 33050. 14. Entirety of Agreement/Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by a separate writing signed by all parties hereto. 15. Effective Date of Agreement. The effective date of this Agreement is the date the last party signs this agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, by their duly authorized undersigned representatives, have executed this Agreement on the dates and year below written. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, An Agency of the State of F orida By Date Charles G. Pattison Director, Division of Resource Planning and Management STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF LEON This instrument wads acknowledged before me this /-3 "day of 199X, by Charles Pattison, , as Direc or, Division of esour a Planning and Management, Department of Community Affairs, who,,is personally """ known to me and who did not take an oath. i /2 Notary Public a2 = #cc 308615 fnd°dns;�°:���� ee` Name (typed, printed rfr stamped) // Z�� /tfawtre�ve My commission expires: Commission Number agreement/broward.agm 1/25/96 8 Witness Witn ' s STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF BROWARD MANAGEMENT Owner/Developer By: Date: The f regoing instrument was know�JeZ-17CO ged bef re me this p? / day of , 1991i;by S�Ytr�,�aho is 0 or has produced as identification and did (did not) take n oath KART N L. BASS NOTARY My ('Omm Exp, 6/22,98 aU :c d Bai.¢ed By ServimW .38 lam "Q1WtA My Commis ion xpires: ASANNY L. K C RK DEPUTY CLERK STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF MONROE Nota Pu lic crrr� . �ss Name typed, printed or stamped) Commission Number MONROE COUNTY By: � 1: 101 A::&90*VLa-*V Mayo onroe ty, Board of County ComWIssioners Date: 3f�o190 The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of f, , 199& by e who i s pax, -A" 1 v'1nown to .m&. or who has produ ed � as identification, and who did (did not) take an oath. 407 pt0 RIJT14 ANN J!`.NT7_.I'N My Comm Exp. 12!3+uA;'`.> OTA�t s> Bonded By Service tiffs Notary P 1 is t�uc No. CC506335 k-M. u, Kw. i i 0d%% 1, n. Name t ( yped, printed or stamped) My Commission Expires: agreement/broward.agm 1/25/96 Commission Number �Mlblf S11t% PIN CI= 91!,Df 2-b OF - --- -- - wf I pa 91 Coro UM eaCN oubDIVbIMi rhf P"K 0Y -srxml k1F�Iff yl�If�Y PtVGC A. Cp q in; \� // , dRIGK fj,VIRDRiVE r� P��llll4y y 46'wluE AE 9 FLOOD ZONE _ 5'�I.EPSEMEN( Q-�io vF i i ]FLOCO ?ON[- - I� I T Wil ATLANTIC OCEAN KCPIT P N,T-S- f3f. F)�%4j :(PttJ.29'' iggt, r EXHIBIT B Sea Turtle Setback Mitigation Plan prepared for Tony D'Ascanio by Lewis Environmental Services, Inc. P.O. Box 420334 Summerland Key, Florida 33042-0334 June 8, 1995 WASCANIO SEA TURTLE SETBACK MTITGATION PLAN Lot 2, BIock 21, Cocoplum Beach Subdivision Site Description The mitigation plan will focus on the area waterward of the proposed single. family residence. The habitat in this area can be described as "disturbed withbeach berm" and is vegetated with typical'beach herbaceous and shrub species. Zone A (Figure 1) consists of the sandy beach area between the water line -and the storm tide line. There is no vegetative growth in this area. Zone B (Figure 2) is located between 13 and 21 feet from mean high water and consists of an escarpment dominated by shrubs including dune elder (Iva imbricata), inkberry (Scaevola plumien) and also seagrape (Coccoloba uWfera) and bay cedar (Suriana maritima). Around and behind the shrub line are several herbaceous species such as dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae), Paspalum (Paspalum sp.), spanish needles (Bidens abla), and fringe rush (Fymbrisiilis sp.). The invasive exotic, Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) also occurs in this zone. Zone C (Figure 3) is located between 21 and 35 feet landward of mean high water and displays a hard packed dredge spoil substrate typical of the Cocoplum Beach Subdivision area. Deposition of dredged fill is the main source of permanent disturbance in this area. This zone has also apparently been used recently by construction or beach cleaning vehicles. Vegetation is sparse in this zone. Zone D (Figure 4) extends from about 35 to 65 feet from mean high water and is vegetated mainly with the herbaceous species found in Zone B but also including sea purslane (SesuWum portulacastrum), Andropogon (Arx(ropogon sp.) and other grasses (Figure 5). Australian pines can also be found here. Zone E (Figure 6) lies between Zone D and the house site (about 65-90 feet from mean high water). This area is sparsely vegetated mainly with Paspalum: A stand of large Australian pines is located at the west end of this zone. Mitigation Activities Cocoplum Beach is an active turtle nesting beach and is regularly patrolled by volunteers from the local organization known as Save -A Turtle. Mrtigation/restoration efforts will be aimed at enhancement of sea turtle nesting habitat. Mitigation activities are listed below in order of greatest to least importance to sea turtles, and each one is described in detail. F, Figure 1. Lot 2, Block 21, Cocoplum Beach Subdivision, showing Zone A as described in the narrative. F` 01 - w�Y.abc%� �'i1'1�•.-•� ram; r a�'�.�•'-ti r. •'� 77e _ 1 N.. 1='ll�.,♦ y�A cj ply �:. -�. '+. -cG .. .i a ay. - r''-•r qw .''v�h��'2 �� '� �,�-• ; r��_ Nit- vy VAL • + � :...�- ,.. �. •.. 'L; —� %ter �►-:�, ",`'�� . . �l / •.: •1i 7 lir: rti, tom•- .� �•��"�_t�`�t. .. �W� 19 r� 4 —.'---w�i- i�If�P;a t- ,":::i�At•y :� s ��e�:ei��!ZiIC'•. 1 k + j � _..{7 � �> - � �> � ? �'� aL _.�y yss 7 �,��' > 'z � t y .-••''' c-•�s�� t } -- } r -_ �`' w.,. r "t �^'���..;L 1 s �'� 7: 3'=cr,'�.,�`,�i �t�.v J � � � rN��'.' �• �`�i n t' '�i•t�tiF�k � ,r t,. r5. � '�it>a>+..Yr�t � �V �-Y�1+�. `O x,�� i q' �`t `i, r.+_� L�: � - .a tir r -. r �, rL .T r:;� �•LGti•���� ��`4 xr �s '�' s � y '? •s. .` � j 3 � � r r i '' i �s ' tw '`,t-�v ,� ^��•>�ay��3^f3 ��,,kss .1 ��.� '�' '� y � s- _ r sar :: �t i„�.-,'f+5.:�..n" ; -S� f�-'£ , - ice. tc�..�s��-,` 3 ''_�qt� •T '� �i� L1 s _ � T`ii `'�`1��w^ y,�Yi k �.P .�„jtY`�f:i . `4i w•a�T `��w '� � J �� r ? i�� Iy, 11// � ._. •, w • 7 'i� 4'�y�= � 'r s, '+rtr � 1'•; . .i' �' '•. we -'�i Y�11 • i� +�Y�., 'r1�`; �! .+-Y � ,r _ Y�yy�-LciAw'CGy,.�5��� � ki '�Y '� galiaa r �► �. � JIB 1/� _ �Jr.� iY--�i •� _� � s.�� S. _ __• s•'4 s''"vseY�+. ... ... �.,w.c''r .:w ,� `� •� �.��iy � _�. w. wW �- 4. �•�1� two �� fit.. r, r�:�. � '7��,. �' A � { �r+ � {,. ri -.tom. M a ;'R•0w .••� `. .-�,�a�'r.L�"•'c'.3,E'�•• wl -57 a R -W6 AA 'Iz N4 -'f -!�u2�ljry "V I PC V'o , IV. Figure 6. Lot 2, Block 21, Cocoplum Beach Subdivision, showing Zone E as described in the narrative. 8 Compliance with County Turtle Li htinn Ordinance construction `of and The County's Turtle Lighting Ordinance will be complied with during upon occupancy of the residence. There is no outdoor lighting proposed on the seaward side of the residence. Any lighting of stairs, drives, walks, etc. at the front of the.. ' residence will be recessed or otherwise shielded to prevent direct illumination of the beach. Indoor lighting will be shielded with window treatments. Fire Ants roblem This site has at Fire ant attacks on turtle hatchlings are becoming an increasing p least two and perhaps more fire ant nests located directly in the beach setback area, especially in the disturbed area. Eradication of fire ants could significantly enhance turtle hatchling survival in this area and would also be of benefit:to the property owner. Fire ant nests will be treated once during the revegetao the start of the nesting season- n of the beach berm- harea will then be retreated every year, as necessary, just pro Cons ervation Easement A conservation easement will be recorded which guarantees access to Save -A Turtle volunteers (under the authority of DEP) for turtle nesting surveys on this beach. Beach Reve etg anon Planting Plan: Revegetation will occur mainly in Zones C and E as depicted in Figure 7. The remaining areas are all fairly wellvegetated than to attemptmore to pladvisable t saModifieation of the expansion of the vegetation in these zones substrate will be needed in Zone C, but the rest of the beach has enough loose sand to accomodate plant germination and expansion. All Australian pines will first be treated with "Garlon 4" herbicide about 30 days prior to removal to ensure that all vegetative and underground parts are killed. The smaller pines will be removed completely, taking as much stump and root as possible without uprooting surrounding vegetation. The large trees in Zone E will be cut and stumps left in place. Figure 7 shows the general planting scheme. to availability: Sea lavender Bay cedar Dune sunflower Sea oxeye daisy Beachgrass Railroad vine Sea purslane Seashore dropseed The following plants will be included subject Tournefortia gnaphalodes - Suriana maritima. Helianthus debilis Borrichia arborescens Panicum wnwwm 1pomoea pes-eaprae Sesuvium portulacastrum Sporobolus virginicus It appears at this time that all of the plants are available needed for these species. perhaps bay cedar. Green buttonwood will be substituted as n 9 ~� r r.��-. :�_. +�"•r�,;� ir��r• �.. � '�x1Nr.�e�'a; fits ;:.j4'j 1 CDCD {:. 0 �. 0 00 0 ;; N 0 bd n p' p CL ::P o CD . o � �rs 0 CD 0 0 c cn CD. z C a :3 S. �. 0. �P �o 0 b 0 0 ::s"0 , 0 �N a `° a o� =� rTj cn V� CO � . 0- G CD � OQ CD CD 0 O VD VD < 0 (D to o a• � o � b o� En y 0 0 b z LA d m H c Ut o O � z 3 m � mz t4 0 m0 0 0 0° D p3 U z m .711:� --i mm � �o y � Ln r � I m Bay cedar is found on this lot and elsewhere on Cocoplum Beach. One specimen of woody sea lavender occurs east of this site and is the only specimen on CocoplumBeach. Planting of these two listed woody species will help promote their recovery. on Cocoplum Beach and will be consistent with the County's Cocoplum Beach Management Plan. The remainder, of the restoration focuses on herbaceous vegetation in keeping with the existing vegetative character and turtle nesting activities. The list attempts to concentrate mainly on species found naturally growing on this site and elsewhere on Cocoplum Beach. It is recommended that the restoration take place outside the turtle nesting season (between October 16 and April 14). However, if restoration must take place during nesting season, the following measures will be implemented: All activities will be coordinated with the Save -'A -Turtle volunteer for Cocoplum Beach to make sure restoration work does not disrupt nesting activites, hatching activities, or known nests. The substrate modification in Zone C (described below) will all be performed within one day. The cloth barrier will be erected at the beginning of the day and removed at the end of the day to avoid leaving it overnight. All crews performing planting will be instructed to be alert for unmarked turtle nests and will immediately report these'to their superviser who will contact the Save -A Turtle volunteer. Zone C: As previously mentioned, the substrate in Zone C is hard -packed dredge spoil and will have to be modified prior to plant installation. The most effective way to do this will be to either loosen or replace the top few inches of soil. Prior to planting, one or two small "test" areas of substrate will be excavated to determine how much modification is needed. The goal will be to keep alteration of the site to the minimum amount necessary for plant survival. The perimeter of the planting area in Zone C (about 2500 square feet) willbe delineated with a staked cloth barrier to confine the work and soil in the disturbed area. A small backhoe and/or small auger will be used to break up or scrape down the top two to three inches of hard dredge spoil substrate. Soil will be tilled or otherwise mechanically worked to match as closely as possible, the consistency of the adjacent sandy areas. Although it is not anticipated at this time, it is possible that the original substrate material will be too "packed" to effectively break up. If it is decided that the soil should be replaced, the original material will be spread at the front of the lot (amount will be less than 25 cubic yards) or properly disposed of by the contractor, and replaced with limerock fill screenings. Once the site is prepared, the plantings will be installed. Sea lavender and bay cedar shrubs (largest sizes available) will be installed in five groupings of plants mainly along the waterward edge of the zone (Figure 7). The remainder of the area will be filled in with an equal mix of dune sunflower, railroad vine, sea oxeye daisy, and sea purslane planted on approximate three foot centers throughout the zone. Zone E: No substrate modification will be needed in Zone E. The entire area (about 2460 square feet) will be planted on approximate three foot centers with an equal mix of dune sunflower, railroad vine and beachgrass. r Maintenance: Once the plantings are installed they will be watered immediately and then once every other day for the first week (one good soaking without waterlogging). The plants will be watered once a week thereafter for the following five weeks, and about once a month after that. Seasonal timing of the planting (wet or dry season) will play a great role in the watering schedule. Any invasive exotics found on the site during monitoring visits will be pulled up by hand, if possible, or treated with Garlon 4. Access will be prevented by staking and marking the area with survey ribbon so that work crews stay out of the area during construction_ of the house. The future homeowners will use the boardwalk (see below) for access to the beach. Damage of plantings by nesting turtles can be expected but is not anticipated to be a significant problem. This will be monitored as part of the monitoring plan (see below) and plants will be replaced if necessary. Monitoring. Success of this beach restoration will be defined as an 80% survival rate for planted individuals over a one-year period and maintenance of the entire beach free of invasive exotics. Once the planting is installed, the site will be photographed. The site will be revisited at the end of three months to determine the general condition of the installed plant material. If survival is generally good, the site will be revisited at the end of the first year and placement of plants to meet the 80% survival requirement will be performed at that time if necessary. K after three months, the survival of installed material is very poor, the site will be re-evaluated to determine what measures need to be taken. Given the nature of the existing plant material in the area and the proposed modification of substrate in Zone C, it is expected that plant survival will be high and that natural recruitment will also be accelerated. The site will also be monitored for invasive exotic plant colonization at three months and one year from plant installation. Elevated Boardwalk The proposed boardwalk will be used for access to the beach by the future homeowners. It will be no more than four feet wide, will terminate at the escarpment or storm berm (beginning of Zone B), and will pass through one of the unvegetated areas of Zone B so that native woody dune plants will not be disturbed. It will be the subject of a future permit application and will be built prior to plant installation if at all possible. Otherwise, the footprint of the boardwalk area will be marked on site and planting worked around it. 12