Item J5BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: June 15, 2011 Division: Growth Management
Bulk Item: Yes _ No Y Department: Planning & Environmental Resources
Staff Contact Person: Christine Hurley, Growth Management Director
Ext. No. 2517
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion and approval of a resolution providing for interpretation of Section 130-4
Temporary emergency housing and 6-112. Temporary structures to allow the building official and planning director to
accept an application for a special building permit for not more than 6 months for the erection of temporary structures
(trailers)/Recreational Vehicles (RVs) at 102200 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida (RE: 00086740-000000) for
Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc. (MMC) operations during the time period they are rehabilitating marine mammals only,
with the ability to extend 6 months.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc. is listed as the owner of 102200 Overseas Highway, Key
Largo, Florida (RE: 00086740-000000). Since 2009, the MMC has sought permits and development approval to occupy the
site to carry out, based on their website, under a Stranding Agreement with the US National Marine Fisheries Service to
respond, rescue, transport, and rehabilitate stranded and injured marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Several outstanding code violations still remain at the site and occupancy of existing building(s) is somewhat limited;
however, of recent, the organization rescued 6 pilot whales of 25 stranded May 5, 2011. The organization is working to
remedy certain code violations and removed 2 RVs from the site at the request of County staff based on their current land
use district (Suburban Commercial — SC) zoning, which does not allow RVs without pre -approval of a conditional use for a
RV park.
The Monroe County code does not provide specifically for RV placement used in conjunction with mammal rescue.
However, certain portions of the code do provide for temporary use of temporary structures. The attached memorandum
outlines the existing code and the interpretation staff is seeking from the Commission related to the ability to permit
temporary RVs at this site.
Further, staff is seeking direction from the Commission to develop code amendment(s) to clarify this type of operation may
use certain sites and facilities on a temporary basis, including RVs, provided all building code requirements are met.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
TOTAL COST: INDIRECT COST:
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE:
BUDGETED: Yes _No
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty X OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Included X Not Required
DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM # J-5
MEMORANDUM
MONROE COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIVISION
We strive to be caring, professional and fair
To: Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
From: Christine Hurley, AICP
Division Director
Date: June 14, 2011
RE: Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc.
Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc. is listed as the owner of 102200 Overseas Highway,
Key Largo, Florida (RE: 00086740-000000). Since 2009, the MMC has sought permits
and development approval to occupy the site to carry out, based on their website, under a
Stranding Agreement with the US National Marine Fisheries Service to respond, rescue,
transport, and rehabilitate stranded and injured marine mammals under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act.
Several outstanding code violations still remain at the site and occupancy of existing
building(s) is somewhat limited; however, of recent, the organization rescued 6 pilot
whales of 25 stranded May 5, 2011. The organization is working to remedy certain code
violations and removed 2 RVs from the site at the request of County staff based on their
current land use district (Suburban Commercial — SC) zoning, which does not allow RVs
without pre -approval of a conditional use for a RV park. The code violations with fines
running include:
CE06030008 —UNSAFE ELECTRIC AND BUILDING REFERRAL RECEIVED
FROM BUILDING OFFICIAL AND ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS. BUILDING
USING ROPE FOR HANDRAILS AND ELECTRIC PANEL IS DANGEROUS.
$250.00 per day running.
CE09020176 — fence in water, referred to DEP. No NOV/NOH sent.
CE09030107 — 110-140(1): Sheds, fences, tents, storage containers, and construction
trailers need permits. 130-93(a)(7): Accessory uses w/o principal.
64(b): Unsafe shed w/ electric and A/C. $350.00 per day running.
CE11060014 — Unsafe Electric, Habitation on property of RV's, tents, etc., expired
permits for pool, storage containers, kitchen, lack of planning approvals. On 6-3-2011 a
Courtesy Notice was given to owner on site. No NOV/NOH sent to date.
The owner has been working with staff to remedy life safety issues first and as of Friday,
June 10, 2011 has removed the RVs from the site.
The Monroe County code does not provide specifically for RV placement used in
conjunction with mammal rescue. However, certain portions of the code do provide for
temporary use of temporary structures. The attached memorandum outlines the existing
code and the interpretation staff is seeking from the Commission related to the ability to
permit temporary RVs at this site.
Further, staff is seeking direction from the Commission to develop code amendment(s) to
clarify this type of operation may use certain sites and facilities on a temporary basis,
including RVs, provided all building code requirements are met.
The following code provisions are applicable to this situation.
Sec. 130-4. - Temporary emergency housing.
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly
indicates a different meaning:
Recreation vehicles means the same as that term is defined in F.S. § 320.01.
Temporary emergency housing means recreational vehicles (or similar approved
sheltering units) used for temporary occupancy in response to natural or manmade
disasters, including, but not limited to, hurricanes and tropical storms, where such
recreational vehicles or similar units are provided to residents as part of emergency relief
efforts.
(b) Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to provide regulations that allow for the
relaxation of the use prohibitions in article III of this chapter to:
(1) Allow temporary emergency housing during the recovery period from a natural or
manmade disaster, including, but not limited to, hurricanes and tropical storms;
(2) Avoid delay in completing ongoing or future airport safety and capacity
improvements; and
(3) Provide regulatory authority for placement of emergency temporary housing for
workers responding to recovery and reconstruction efforts following natural or manmade
disasters which are lawfully declared emergencies by any federal, state or local
governmental emergency declaration authority.
(d) Placement of RVs (or similar sheltering units) for temporary emergency housing on
nonresidential properties. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, one or more
RVs (or similar sheltering units) may be temporarily placed by permit on properties in
nonresidential land use districts and on publicly -owned lands, excluding lands designated
for conservation and resource protection, to house county residents displaced by natural
or manmade disaster or casualty event and/or disaster recovery workers. The size of the
RVs (or similar sheltering units) to be temporarily placed shall be in accordance with
subsection (c)(4) of this section. Permitting approval of the temporary placement of RVs
(or similar sheltering units) shall require submittal of a no -fee permit application to the
building department to be approved by the building official, including a site plan pursuant
to requirements established by the building official. Upon final inspection by the building
official of the temporary construction granted by the permit, authorization for the
occupancy of the property for temporary emergency housing shall not exceed 180 days
from the date of the final inspection without a written extension from the county building
official or his representative not to exceed an additional 180 days based upon the building
official or his representative's determination that good cause has been shown for the need
for the extension and that the RV (or similar sheltering unit) is adequately tied down and
secured so as not to present an undue hazard to persons or property in a high -wind or
flood event. However, nothing in this section shall prevent the county or any state or
federal authority to terminate without notice the authority to keep any RVs (or similar
sheltering units) otherwise authorized under this section should it be deemed required for
the public safety.
Section 6-112 Temporary structures. The building official may issue a special building
permit for a limited time of not more than six months for the erection of temporary
structures such as construction sheds, trailers, seats, canopies, tents, and fences used in
construction work or for temporary uses and events. Any such permit for temporary
nonconstruction uses shall require prior approval of the planning director to ensure
compliance with part II of this Code. Any structures shall be completely removed upon
expiration of the time stated in the permit.
RESOLUTION NO. - 2011
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ALLOWING THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND PLANNING DIRECTOR TO ACCEPT
APPLICATIONS FOR TEMPORARY RECREATIONAL VEHICLES ON PARCEL 00086740-
000000, 102200 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, KEY LARGO OWNED BY MARINE MAMMAL
CONSERVANCY, INC.
WHEREAS, there was a stranding of pilot whales on May 51h on Cudjoe Key in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, several whales were moved to the facilities at the Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc.
(MMC)located at 102200 Overseas Highway, Key Largo (RE# 00086740-000000); and
WHEREAS, many volunteers are involved in the care and treatment of the remaining whales working in
four hour shifts around the clock twenty-four hours a day; and
WHEREAS, the volunteers had been using two recreational vehicles for rest quarters, and other support
for the volunteer effort, and
WHEREAS, recreational vehicles are not specifically allowed in the Suburban Commercial land use
(zoning) district unless part of an approved campground; and
WHEREAS, because of this and other code violations the recreational vehicles have been removed from
the property , causing a hardship to the volunteers staged at the MMC property and hampering the
whale rescue efforts; and
WHEREAS, Section 130-4(b) of the Monroe County Code (MCC) allows temporary emergency housing
during the recovery period from a natural or manmade disaster, including , but not limited to,
hurricanes and tropical storms even if the use does not conform to the uses permitted in the zoning
district affected; and
WHEREAS, MCC Section 130-4(d) allows for temporary emergency housing on nonresidential properties
in RVs for disaster recovery worker housing for up to 180 days or as extended by the building official for
an additional 180 days; and
WHEREAS, MCC Section 6-112 allows the building official to issue a special building permit for a limited
time of not more than six months for temporary structures such as trailers for temporary uses and
events with approval of the planning director; and
WHEREAS, the stranding of the whales constituted a natural disaster event in the environmental and
ecological community of the keys; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC finds that it is in the best interests of the environmental community of the keys
and the citizens of Monroe County to assist in the recovery of the stranded pilot whales in order to
release the remaining whales or to learn the source of the stranding behavior;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc. may apply for a permit for temporary placement of two recreational
vehicles on its property pursuant to the terms of Monroe County Code Sections 130-4 and 6-112 for a
period of one -hundred eighty days, with one renewal period of the same time period or until the whales
are rehabilitated, released or relocated, whichever is first.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida at a regular
meeting of said Board on the 15`h day of June, 2011.
Mayor Heather Carruthers
Mayor pro tem David Rice
Commissioner Sylvia J. Murphy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Kim Wigington
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
(SEAL)
ATTEST: Danny L. Kolhage, CLERK
By:
Deputy Clerk
By:
Mayor Heather Carruthers
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
APPROVED AS ORjaw
Date: