Item K1BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: December 12, 2012 Division: Growth Management
Bulk Item: Yes No X Department: Planning & Environment Resources
Staff/Contact: Christine Hurley (305) 289-2517
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion regarding the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District CR-
905 improvement project relative to the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) Unit #FL-3 5 .
ITEM BACKGROUND: In mid -November, 2012, staff received a media inquiry concerning whether
the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (KLWTD) was expanding service along CR-905 and into a
portion of CBRS Unit #FL-3 5 . Growth Management staff has coordinated with KLWTD and determined
they are extending sewer service into the CR-905 area which includes a portion of CBRS FL-3 5 Unit.
The subject improvements include the installation of a force main within the CR-905 right of way (ROW)
with branch lines in the ROW of the local subdivision streets being served. The individual homes to be
served are to grant an easement to the KLWTD so that the KLWTD can then install a low pressure lift
station and a small force main on the private lot within that easement. This lift station will be connected
to the KLWTD's force mains. The individual lift stations and connecting force mains will be owned and
maintained by the KLWTD even though they will be installed on private property (within the respective
easements). The individual home owners will be responsible for connection of their sanitary sewage line
to the KLWTD's low pressure lift station; the decommission of any existing onsite wastewater system
(septic, aerobic, etc.); and running electric to the lift station. Home owners will need permits for the
plumbing and electrical connections (2 separate permits).
The County has adopted Comprehensive Plan Policies and Land Development Regulations which both
discourage and prohibit the extension of utilities, including wastewater, to or through areas designated as
units of the CBRS. (See Attachment A)
Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida (see Attachment B), exempts KLWTD from County permitting (see
legal opinion —Attachment C); however, as a result of the above referenced adopted Comprehensive Plan
Policies and Land Development Regulations, the County cannot issue building permits (plumbing and
electrical) to individual property owners in order to connect to the individual lift stations along CR-905, if
the residences to be served are located within land designated as a unit of the CBRS.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: N/A
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: None
TOTAL COST: INDIRECT COST:
BUDGETED: Yes No NA
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE:
COST TO COUNTY: N/A
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No N/A
AMOUNT PER MONTH N/A Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Included X
Not Required _
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
Attachment A
Monroe County Adopted Comprehensive Plan Policies
Policy 101.12.4
Monroe County shall require that the following analyses be undertaken prior to finalizing plans for the
siting of any new or the significant expansion (greater than 25 percent) of any existing public facility:
1. assessment of needs;
2. evaluation of alternative sites and design alternatives for the alternative sites; and,
3. assessment of direct and secondary impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources.
The assessment of impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources will evaluate the extent to
which the proposed public facility involves public expenditures in the coastal high hazard area and
within environmentally sensitive areas, including disturbed salt marsh and buttonwood wetlands,
undisturbed beach berm areas, units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed uplands
(particularly high quality hammock and pinelands), habitats of species considered to be threatened or
endangered by the state and/or federal governments, offshore islands, and designated Tier I areas.
Except for passive recreational facilities on publicly -owned land, no new public community or utility
facility other than water distribution and sewer collection lines or pump/vacuum/lift stations shall be
allowed within Tier I designated areas or Tier III Special Protection Area unless it can be accomplished
without clearing of hammock or pinelands. Exceptions to this requirement may be made to protect the
public health, safety, and welfare, if all the following criteria are met:
1. No reasonable alternatives exist to the proposed location; and
2. The proposed location is approved by a supermaj ority of the Board of County Commissioners.
The site of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment Facility (located at mile marker 100.5) with an allowed
clearing of up to 4.2 acres shall not be subject to this policy.
Objective 102.8
Monroe County shall take actions to discourage private development in areas designated as units of the
Coastal Barrier Resources System.
Policy 102.8.1
Monroe County shall discourage developments which are proposed in units of Coastal Barrier Resources
System (CBRS).
Policy 102.8.2
Upon adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Monroe County shall not create new access via new bridges,
new causeways, new paved roads or new commercial marinas to or on units of the Coastal Barrier
Resources System (CBRS).
Policy 102.8.3
By January 4, 1997, shoreline hardening structures, including seawalls, bulkheads, groins, rip -rap, etc.,
shall not be permitted along shorelines of CBRS units.
Policy 102.8.4
By January 4, 1998, privately -owned undeveloped land located within the CBRS units shall be
considered for acquisition by Monroe County for conservation purposes through the Monroe County
Natural Heritage and Park Program.
Policy 102.8.5
Monroe County shall [take] efforts to discourage the extension of facilities and services provided by the
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and private providers of electricity and telephone service to CBRS
units. These efforts shall include providing each of the utility providers with:
1. a map of the areas of Monroe County which are included in CBRS units;
2. a copy of the Executive Summary in Report to Congress: Coastal Barrier Resources System
published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Coastal Barriers Study Group, which specifies
restrictions to federally subsidized development in CBRS units;
3. Monroe County policies regarding local efforts to discourage both private and public
investment in CBRS units
Policy 103.2.4
Upon adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Monroe County shall require that the following analyses be
undertaken prior to finalizing plans for the siting of any new public facilities or the significant expansion
(greater than 25 percent) of existing public facilities:
1. assessment of needs
2. evaluation of alternative sites and design alternatives for the selected sites; and
3. assessment of impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources.
The assessment of impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources will evaluate the extent to
which the proposed public facility involves public expenditures in the coastal high hazard area and
within environmentally sensitive areas, including disturbed salt marsh and buttonwood wetlands,
undisturbed beach/berm areas, units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed uplands
(particularly high quality hammocks and pinelands), habitats of species considered to be threatened or
endangered by the state and/or federal governments, offshore islands, and Conservation Land Protection
Areas.
Monroe County shall require that public facilities be developed on the least environmentally sensitive
lands and shall prohibit the location of public facilities on North Key Largo, unless no feasible
alternative exists and such facilities are required to protect the public health, safety, or welfare.
Policy 103.2.10
Monroe County shall take immediate actions to discourage private development in areas designated as
units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System. (See Objective 102.8 and related policies.)
GOAL 209
Monroe County shall discourage private land uses on its mainland, offshore islands and undeveloped
coastal barriers, and shall protect existing conservation lands from adverse impacts associated with
private land uses on adjoining lands.
Objective 209.3
Monroe County shall take immediate actions to discourage private development in areas designated as
units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS).
Policy 215.2.3
No public expenditures shall be made for new or expanded facilities in areas designated as units of the
Coastal Barrier Resources System, saltmarsh and buttonwood wetlands, or offshore islands not currently
accessible by road, with the exception of expenditures for conservation and parklands consistent with
natural resource protection, and expenditures necessary for public health and safety.
Policy 217.4.2
No public expenditures shall be made for new or expanded facilities in areas designated as units of the
Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed saltmarsh and buttonwood wetlands, or offshore islands
not currently accessible by road, with the exception of expenditures for conservation and parklands
consistent with natural resource protection, and expenditures necessary for public health and safety.
Policy 502.1.5
Monroe County shall support a proposal to amend the Coastal Barrier Resources System Map adopted
by the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990, to delete the improved port property along the Safe
Harbor entrance channel from the system unit, FL 57.
Policy 1301.7.12
By January 4, 1998, Monroe County shall initiate discussions with the FKAA and providers of
electricity and telephone service to assess the measures which could be taken to discourage or prohibit
extension of facilities and services to Coastal Barrier Resource Systems (CBRS) units.
Policy 1401.2.2
No public expenditures shall be made for new or expanded facilities in areas designated as units of the
Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed saltmarsh and buttonwood wetlands, or offshore islands
not currently accessible by road, with the exception of expenditures for conservation and parklands
consistent with natural resource protection, and expenditures necessary for public health and safety.
Monroe County Adopted Land Development Regulation
Sec. 101-1. —Definitions
Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) means those 15 (CBRS) units in the county designated under
the Federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982, comprising undeveloped coastal barriers
and all associated aquatic habitats including wetlands, marshes, estuaries, inlets and near shore waters.
Sec. 130-122. - Coastal barrier resources system overlay district.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the coastal barrier resources system overlay district is to implement the
policies of the comprehensive plan by prohibiting the extension and expansion of specific types of
public utilities to or through lands designated as a unit of the coastal barrier resources system.
(b) Application. The coastal barrier resources system overlay district shall be overlaid on all areas,
except for Stock Island, within federally designated boundaries of a coastal barrier resources system unit
on current flood insurance rate maps approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which
are hereby adopted by reference and declared part of this chapter. Within this overlay district, the
transmission and/or collection lines of the following types of public utilities shall be prohibited from
extension or expansion: central wastewater treatment collection systems; potable water; electricity, and
telephone and cable. This prohibition shall not preclude the maintenance and upgrading of existing
public utilities in place on the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived and shall
not apply to wastewater nutrient reduction cluster systems.
(Code 1979, § 9.5-258; Ord. No. 43-2001, § 1)
CHAPTER 2008-291 Attachment B
Council Substitute for House Bill No. 1231
An act relating to the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District,
Monroe County; amending chapter 2002-337, Laws of Florida; pro-
viding that the district is not subject to local regulations governing
discharge of effluent and is not obligated to obtain licenses, permits,
or authorizations required by local regulating agencies; requiring
the district to provide the county with a notice of development;
providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Subsection (6) is added to section 3 of section 1 of chapter 2002-
337, Laws of Florida, to read:
Section 3. District; creation, jurisdiction, and purpose.
(6) The district shall comply with federal and state laws governing the
construction and operation of its systems and the duality and manner of
discharge of effluent but shall not be subject to local regulation over the
duality and manner of discharge except as provided herein or to the extent
that the district may by agreement with any other public or private body
authorize the same to exercise authority over the projects of the district. The
district shall not be obligated to obtain licenses, permits, or other authoriza-
tions required by local regulating agencies for development but shall comply
with the substantive regulations, other than permitting, of the appropriate
local agency ency in effect at the time of district approval of the final plans for
development. The district shall provide Monroe County with a Notice of
Intent to Proceed that includes a description of any planned development
and identifies the property no later than 30 days prior to the installation or
construction of wastewater infrastructure or related facilities.
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
Approved by the Governor June 30, 2008.
Filed in Office Secretary of State June 30, 2008.
CODING: Words are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Attachment C
OUNTY O MONROE
IEY V'+JET FLC]F�IDA0
�305) 294-4641
Robert B. Shillinger, County Attorney**
Pedro J. Mercado, Assistant County Attorney * *
Susan M. Grimsley, Assistant County Attorney* *
Natileene W. Cassel, Assistant County Attorney* *
Cynthia L. Hall, Assistant County Attorney * *
Christine Limbert-Barrows, Assistant County Attorney
Derek V. Howard, Assistant County Attorney
Lisa Granger, Assistant County Attorney
Steven T. Williams, Assistant County Attorney
* * Board Certified in City, County & Local Govt. Law
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor George Neugent, District 2
Mayor Pro Tem, Heather Carruthers, District 3
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
David Rice, District 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
Office of the County Attorney
1111 12th Street, Suite 408
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-3470 — Phone
(305) 292-3516 — Fax
To: Christine Hurley, Director, Growth Management Division
Through: Robert B. Shillinger, County Attorney
From: Lisa Granger, Assistant County Attorney
Date: November 27, 2012
RE: Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Proposed CR-905 Project
QUESTION PRESENTED:
Is the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (KLWTD) exempt from permitting
regulations under the law and do certain individual property owners share that
exemption?
SHORT ANSWER:
Yes, KLWTD is exempt from permitting regulations. However individual property
owners are not exempt from permitting regulations.
BACKGROUND:
Under Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida, the legislature created an exemption
from permitting obligations for KLWTD. While it is clear that KLWTD is exempt from
permitting obligations, KLWTD "shall comply with the substantive regulations other than
permitting of the appropriate local agency in effect at the time of district approval of the
final plans for development." This means that KLWTD may have an obligation to comply
with FEMA and FWS regulations. In the past, I<LWTD did apply for and receive opinion
letters from FWS.
However, Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida, does not contain any language that
exempts individual property owners from permitting regulations. Asa result and
pursuant to F.S. 381.00655(1)(a), the property owner must connect to the central sewer
system within a definite number of days after the system is available. The definition of
available as found in F.S. 381.0065 (2)(a), in pertinent part is "as applied to a publicly
owned or investor -owned sewerage system, means that the publicly owned or investor -
owned sewerage system is capable of being connected to the plumbing of an
establishment or residence, is not under a Department of Environment Protection
moratorium, and has adequate permitted capacity to accept the sewerage to be
generated by the establishment or residence...." Also Monroe County Code (MCC) § 20-
51 states that property owners must connect within 30 days after written notification
that the system is available for connection.
CONCLUSION:
Based upon the above background the KLWTD is exempt from permitting
regulations.
Based upon the above background and the requirements in the Florida Building
Code and MCC Chapter 6 wherein plumbing and electric work requires permits, the
individual property owners are required to apply for permits within 30 days of written
notification that the system is available for connection and are not exempt from
permitting regulations.
DRAFT Letter
County of Monroe
Growth Management Division
Planning & Environmental Resources
Department
2798 Overseas Highway, Suite 410
Marathon, FL 33050
Voice: (305) 289-2500
FAX: (305) 289-2536
We strive to be caring, professional and fair
November 27, 2012
Mrs. Margaret Blank, General Manager
Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District
Post Office Box 491
Key Largo, FL 33037
Re: Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District — CR-905 Project
Dear Mrs. Blank:
Board of County Commissioners
Mayor George Neugent, Dist. 2
Mayor Pro Tem Heather Carruthers, Dist. 3
Danny Kolhage, Dist. 1
David Rice, Dist. 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, Dist. 5
We appreciate your coordination efforts relative to the CR-905 improvement project, relative to the
Coastal Barrier Resource System (CBRS) (see attachment 1). As we discussed the Growth Management
Department was contacted by the press several weeks ago asking whether Key Largo Wastewater
Treatment District (KLWTD) was extending wastewater infrastructure into a CBRS unit. We have
subsequently been researching the details surrounding the improvements and the CBRS FL-35 unit.
It is our understanding that the KLWTD service area is defined as the north end of the Florida Keys at the
Dade County line (approximately: US 1 mile marker 124), extending south and westward to Tavernier
Creek (approximately: US 1 mile marker 91) and including the properties to the east of US 1 along CR-
905 up to, but not including, the community of Ocean Reef. The area from mile marker 106.5 south to
mile marker 91, are to be served by the central wastewater treatment plant located at mile marker 100.5.
Additionally, your website indicates, the sparsely populated areas north and east of mile marker 106.5
would be served by a decentralized sewer system.
It is our understanding, that the CR-905 improvements include the installation of a force main within the
CR-905 right of way (ROW) with branch lines in the ROW of the local subdivision streets being served.
The individual home owners will grant an easement to the KLWTD so that the KLWTD may install a
low pressure lift station and a small force main on the individual private lots within the easement. This
lift station will be connected to the KLWTD's force mains by KLWTD. The individual lift stations and
its connecting force mains will be owned and maintained by the KLWTD even though it will be installed
on private property.
1
Further, our understanding is the individual property owners will be responsible for connection of their
house sanitary sewage line to the KLWTD's low pressure lift station as well as the decommission of any
existing on -site wastewater system currently on their property (septic, aerobic, etc.). Finally, the
homeowner will be responsible for the plumbing and electrical connection from the house to the lift
station.
If our understanding of the proposed CR-905 project is incorrect, please update us on the scope of the
project and the specific details relative to the improvement project relative to the CBRS unit.
In terms of permitting requirements, relative to the KLWTD's project, the Monroe County Attorney's
Office has provided a legal opinion (see attachment 2) stating: 1) KLWTD installation of the lift stations
on private property where the District has been granted an easement from the private property owner
does not require a County permit; 2) the property owner's electrical connection to the KLWTD lift
station will require a County permit; and 3) the property owner's plumbing connection to the KLWTD
lift station will require a County permit. Specifically, the Assistant County Attorney has opined that the
KLWTD is exempt from local permitting regulations pursuant to Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida (see
attachment 3), for the installation of lift stations to be installed on private property where the District has
been granted an easement from the private property owner.
Additionally, as we discussed the CBRS designation "encourages the conservation of hurricane prone,
biologically rich coastal barriers by restricting Federal expenditures that encourage development, such as
Federal flood insurance." The CBRS areas are depicted on a series of maps entitled "John H. Chafee
Coastal Barrier Resources System" which are maintained by the Department of the Interior through the
Fish and Wildlife Service. Aside from three minor exceptions, only Congress has the authority to add or
delete land from the CBRS and create new units. These exceptions include: (1) voluntary additions to the
CBRS by property owners; (2) additions of excess Federal property to the CBRS; and (3) the CBRA 5-
year review requirement that solely considers changes that have occurred to System units by natural
forces such as erosion and accretion (see: http://www.fws.gov/cbra/Act/index.html).
Additionally, the County has adopted the following Comprehensive Plan policies and Land Development
Regulations which both discourage and prohibit the extension of utilities, within CBRS units.
Adopted Monroe County Comprehensive Plan
Policy 101.12.4
Monroe County shall require that the following analyses be undertaken prior to finalizing plans for
the siting of any new or the significant expansion (greater than 25 percent) of any existing public
facility..
1. assessment of needs;
2. evaluation of alternative sites and design alternatives for the alternative sites; and,
3. assessment of direct and secondary impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources.
The assessment of impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources will evaluate the extent to
which the proposed public facility involves public expenditures in the coastal high hazard area and
within environmentally sensitive areas, including disturbed salt marsh and buttonwood wetlands,
undisturbed beach berm areas, units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed uplands
(particularly high quality hammock and pinelands), habitats of species considered to be threatened
or endangered by the state and/or federal governments, offshore islands, and designated Tier I
areas.
ON
Except for passive recreational facilities on publicly -owned land, no new public community or utility
facility other than water distribution and sewer collection lines or pump/vacuum/lift stations shall
be allowed within Tier I designated areas or Tier III Special Protection Area unless it can be
accomplished without clearing of hammock or pinelands. Exceptions to this requirement may be
made to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, if all the following criteria are met:
1. No reasonable alternatives exist to the proposed location; and
2. The proposed location is approved by a supermajoriry of the Board of County Commissioners.
The site of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment Facility (located at mile marker 100.5) with an
allowed clearing of up to 4.2 acres shall not be subject to this policy.
Objective 102.8
Monroe County shall take actions to discourage private development in areas designated as units of
the Coastal Barrier Resources System.
Policy 102.8.1
Monroe County shall discourage developments which are proposed in units of Coastal Barrier
Resources System (CBRS).
Policy 102.8.2
Upon adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Monroe County shall not create new access via new
bridges, new causeways, new paved roads or new commercial marinas to or on units of the Coastal
Barrier Resources System (CBRS).
Policy 102.8.3
By January 4, 1997, shoreline hardening structures, including seawalls, bulkheads, groins, rip -rap,
etc., shall not be permitted along shorelines of CBRS units.
Policy 102.8.4
By January 4, 1998, privately -owned undeveloped land located within the CBRS units shall be
considered for acquisition by Monroe County for conservation purposes through the Monroe
County Natural Heritage and Park Program. '�i�'
Policy 102.8. S
Monroe County shall [take] efforts to discourage the extension of facilities and services provided by
the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and private providers of electricity and telephone service to
CBRS units. These efforts shall include providing each of the utility providers with:
1. a map of the areas of Monroe County which are included in CBRS units;
2. a copy of the Executive Summary in Report to Congress: Coastal Barrier Resources System
published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Coastal Barriers Study Group, which specifies
restrictions to federally subsidized development in CBRS units;
3. Monroe County policies regarding local efforts to discourage both private and public
investment in CBRS units
Policy 103.2.4
Upon adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Monroe County shall require that the following analyses
be undertaken prior to finalizing plans for the siting of any new public facilities or the significant
expansion (greater than 25 percent) of existing public facilities:
1. assessment of needs
2. evaluation of alternative sites and design alternativesfor the selected sites; and
3. assessment of impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources.
The assessment of impacts on surrounding land uses and natural resources will evaluate the extent to
which the proposed public facility involves public expenditures in the coastal high hazard area and
3
within environmentally sensitive areas, including disturbed salt marsh and buttonwood wetlands,
undisturbed beach/berm areas, units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed uplands
(particularly high quality hammocks and pinelands), habitats of species considered to be threatened
or endangered by the state and/or federal governments, offshore islands, and Conservation Land
Protection Areas.
Monroe County shall require that public facilities be developed on the least environmentally
sensitive lands and shall prohibit the location of public facilities on North Key Largo,unless no
feasible alternative exists and such facilities are required to protect the public health, safety, or
welfare.
Policy 103.2.10
Monroe County shall take immediate actions to discourage private development in areas designated
as units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System. (See Objective 102.8 and related policies.)
GOAL 209
Monroe County shall discourage private land uses on its mainland, offshore islands and
undeveloped coastal barriers, and shall protect existing conservation lands from adverse impacts
associated with private land uses on adjoining lands.
Objective 209.3
Monroe County shall take immediate actions to discourage private development in areas designated
as units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS).
Policy 215.2.3
No public expenditures shall be made for new or expanded facilities in areas designated as units of
the Coastal Barrier Resources System, saltmarsh and buttonwood wetlands, or offshore islands not
currently accessible by road, with the exception of expenditures for conservation and parklands
consistent with natural resource protection, and expenditures necessary for public health and
safety.
Policy 217.4.2
No public expenditures shall be made for new or expanded facilities in areas designated as units of
the Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed saltmarsh and buttonwood wetlands, or offshore
islands not currently accessible by road, with the exception of expenditures for conservation and
parklands consistent with natural resource protection, and expenditures necessary for public health
and safety.
Policy 502.1. S
Monroe County shall support a proposal to amend the Coastal Barrier Resources System Map
adopted by the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990, to delete the improved port property
along the Safe Harbor entrance channel from the system unit, FL 57.
Policy 1301.7.12
By January 4, 1998, Monroe County shall initiate discussions with the FKAA and providers of
electricity and telephone service to assess the measures which could be taken to discourage or
prohibit extension of facilities and services to Coastal Barrier Resource Systems (CBRS) units.
Policy 1401.2.2
No public expenditures shall be made for new or expanded facilities in areas designated as units of
the Coastal Barrier Resources System, undisturbed saltmarsh and buttonwood wetlands, or offshore
islands not currently accessible by road, with the exception of expenditures for conservation and
parklands consistent with natural resource protection, and expenditures necessary for public health
and safety.
Adopted Monroe County Land Development Regulations
Sec. 101-1. —Definitions
Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) means those 15 (CBRS) units in the county designated
under the Federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982, comprising undeveloped coastal
barriers and all associated aquatic habitats including wetlands, marshes, estuaries, inlets and near
shore waters.
Sec. 130-122. -Coastal barrier resources system overlay district.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the coastal barrier resources system overlay district is to implement the
policies of the comprehensive plan by prohibiting the extension and expansion of specific types of
public utilities to or through lands designated as a unit of the coastal barrier resources system.
(b) Application. The coastal barrier resources system overlay district shall be overlaid on all areas,
except for Stock Island, within federally designated boundaries of a coastal barrier resources
system unit on current flood insurance rate maps approved by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, which are hereby adopted by reference and declared part of this chapter. Within this
overlay district, the transmission and/or collection lines of the following types oL public utilities
shall be prohibited from extension or expansion: central wastewater treatment collection systems:
potable water; electricity, and telephone and cable. This prohibition shall not preclude the
maintenance and upgrading of existing public utilities in place on the effective date of the ordinance
from which this section is derived and shall not apply to wastewater nutrient reduction cluster
systems. (Code 1979, § 9.5-258; Ord. No. 43-2001, § 1)
Based on this information, the adopted Comprehensive Plan Policies and Land Development
Regulations, taken collectively, the County cannot issue building permits to individual property
owners in order for them to connect their electric and plumbing to the KLWTD lift stations, within
the CBRS unit FL-3 5 . This issue can only be resolved by the Board of County Commission
directing and approving the processing of amendments to Comprehensive Plan Policies and Land
Development Regulations relative to the extension or expansion of transmission and/or collection
lines of utilities within CBRS units.
We appreciate your continued coordination on this issue. Should you have any questions, please
contact me at (305) 289-2523 and Schwab-townsley@monroecounty-fl.gov.
Thank you.
Townsley Schwab
Senior Director of Planning & Environmental Resources
Enclosures:
1) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CBRS map of North Key Largo Unit FL-35
2) Monroe County Attorneys Office Legal Opinion of KLWTD permitting requirements
3) Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida
E
cc: Board of County Commissioners (w/o enclosures)
Bob Shillinger, County Attorney (w/o enclosures)
Roman Gastesi, County Administrator (w/o enclosures)
Christine Hurley, Growth Management Division Director (w/o enclosures)
Jerry Smith, Building Official (w/o enclosures)
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Attachment 2
OUNTY O MONROE
IEY V'+JET FLC]F�IDA0
�305) 294-4641
Robert B. Shillinger, County Attorney**
Pedro J. Mercado, Assistant County Attorney * *
Susan M. Grimsley, Assistant County Attorney* *
Natileene W. Cassel, Assistant County Attorney* *
Cynthia L. Hall, Assistant County Attorney * *
Christine Limbert-Barrows, Assistant County Attorney
Derek V. Howard, Assistant County Attorney
Lisa Granger, Assistant County Attorney
Steven T. Williams, Assistant County Attorney
* * Board Certified in City, County & Local Govt. Law
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor George Neugent, District 2
Mayor Pro Tem, Heather Carruthers, District 3
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
David Rice, District 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
Office of the County Attorney
1111 12th Street, Suite 408
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-3470 — Phone
(305) 292-3516 — Fax
To: Christine Hurley, Director, Growth Management Division
Through: Robert B. Shillinger, County Attorney
From: Lisa Granger, Assistant County Attorney
Date: November 27, 2012
RE: Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Proposed CR-905 Project
QUESTION PRESENTED:
Is the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (KLWTD) exempt from permitting
regulations under the law and do certain individual property owners share that
exemption?
SHORT ANSWER:
Yes, KLWTD is exempt from permitting regulations. However individual property
owners are not exempt from permitting regulations.
BACKGROUND:
Under Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida, the legislature created an exemption
from permitting obligations for KLWTD. While it is clear that KLWTD is exempt from
permitting obligations, KLWTD "shall comply with the substantive regulations other than
permitting of the appropriate local agency in effect at the time of district approval of the
final plans for development." This means that KLWTD may have an obligation to comply
with FEMA and FWS regulations. In the past, I<LWTD did apply for and receive opinion
letters from FWS.
However, Chapter 2008-291, Laws of Florida, does not contain any language that
exempts individual property owners from permitting regulations. Asa result and
pursuant to F.S. 381.00655(1)(a), the property owner must connect to the central sewer
system within a definite number of days after the system is available. The definition of
available as found in F.S. 381.0065 (2)(a), in pertinent part is "as applied to a publicly
owned or investor -owned sewerage system, means that the publicly owned or investor -
owned sewerage system is capable of being connected to the plumbing of an
establishment or residence, is not under a Department of Environment Protection
moratorium, and has adequate permitted capacity to accept the sewerage to be
generated by the establishment or residence...." Also Monroe County Code (MCC) § 20-
51 states that property owners must connect within 30 days after written notification
that the system is available for connection.
CONCLUSION:
Based upon the above background the KLWTD is exempt from permitting
regulations.
Based upon the above background and the requirements in the Florida Building
Code and MCC Chapter 6 wherein plumbing and electric work requires permits, the
individual property owners are required to apply for permits within 30 days of written
notification that the system is available for connection and are not exempt from
permitting regulations.
CHAPTER 2008-291 Attachment 3
Council Substitute for House Bill No. 1231
An act relating to the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District,
Monroe County; amending chapter 2002-337, Laws of Florida; pro-
viding that the district is not subject to local regulations governing
discharge of effluent and is not obligated to obtain licenses, permits,
or authorizations required by local regulating agencies; requiring
the district to provide the county with a notice of development;
providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Subsection (6) is added to section 3 of section 1 of chapter 2002-
337, Laws of Florida, to read:
Section 3. District; creation, jurisdiction, and purpose.
(6) The district shall comply with federal and state laws governing the
construction and operation of its systems and the duality and manner of
discharge of effluent but shall not be subject to local regulation over the
duality and manner of discharge except as provided herein or to the extent
that the district may by agreement with any other public or private body
authorize the same to exercise authority over the projects of the district. The
district shall not be obligated to obtain licenses, permits, or other authoriza-
tions required by local regulating agencies for development but shall comply
with the substantive regulations, other than permitting, of the appropriate
local agency ency in effect at the time of district approval of the final plans for
development. The district shall provide Monroe County with a Notice of
Intent to Proceed that includes a description of any planned development
and identifies the property no later than 30 days prior to the installation or
construction of wastewater infrastructure or related facilities.
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
Approved by the Governor June 30, 2008.
Filed in Office Secretary of State June 30, 2008.
CODING: Words are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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