Item B03
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date:
Mav}7,2001
Division:
Growth Management
Bulk Item: Yes -X- No
Department: Planning
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Resolution of approval for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan grant application to FOOT
for the FY 2002 FHW A National Scenic Byways Grant Program and for the County to serve as the
coordinating unit of government in the preparation of the grant proposals.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
An application to designate US 1 as the Florida Keys Scenic Highway has been submitted to the Florida
Department of Transportation. The US Dept. of Transportation offers grants for the development of
projects along State designated Scenic Highways. The development of the Master Plan will cultivate
participation in the Corridor Advisory Group, identify and prioritize critical projects and support the
development of projects along the corridor to preserve the scenic attributes of USl.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
Resolution 316-2000, August 17,2000 resolution of the Tourist Development Council of Monroe
County supporting local efforts to seek Florida Scenic Highway designation for the Florida Keys
Overseas Highway.
Resolution 116-2001 on February 22,2001 supporting the Corridor Management Plan for the
designation of US 1 as a Florida Scenic Highway.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval
TOTAL COST:
$ 200.000
BUDGETED: Yes _No
COST TO COUNTY:
$ 40.000
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes N/A No
AMOUNT PER MONTH N/A Year
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
Not Required_
APPROVED BY: County Atty ..x OMBlPurchasin~ Risk
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEMII~
RESOLUTION NO.
- 2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE FY 2002 FHWA
NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation has announced the FY2002
funding cycle of the National Scenic Byways Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, on February 22,2001, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners resolved
to support the Corridor Management Plan for the designation of US 1 as the Florida Keys Scenic
Highway
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY CO~SSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
1. The County Administrator is hereby authorized to sign and submit the application
packet for the FY 2002 grant funds to the Florida Department of Transportation for
the FHW A National Scenic Byways Program for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Master Plan.
2. The County will serve a~: the coordinating unit of government in the preparation of
the grant proposals.
3. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the Board of
County Commissioners :md execution by the Presiding Officer and Clerk.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 17th day of May, A.D., 2001.
Mayor George Neugent
Mayor ProTe:m Nora Williams
Commissiom~r Murray Nelson
Commissionler Dixie Spehar
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
(Seal)
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Attest:
By:
Clerk of Court
Mayor
Project Summary 2002
FHW A National Scenic Byways Program
All sections must be completed on an electronic form at http://www .byways.org
Applications must be submitted online and on paper,
State Submission Date
not submitted yet
Division Submission Date
not submitted yet
Project Info
Project Name Project No.
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
Applicant's Reference No.
3
Project Year
2002
Counties and/or Regions Involved
Monroe County, Florida
Location of Project along Byway(s)
Entire corridor (US 1 from Mile Marker 0 - Mile Marker 106.5, Key West to Key Largo)
Federal Lands Crossed by Involved Byway(s)
Associated Byways
State Byway Name Details
FL Florida Keys Scenic Highway Designation Date rntrinaic QualIties-
15 May 2001 A,C,H,N,R,S
Byway Organization
Clean Florida Keys Inc., Scenic Highway
Committee
P.O. Box 1528
Key West, FL 33041-1528
Phone: (305) 296-3791
Fax: (305) 296-6132
E-mail: KeysBeauty@aol.com
*IQ codes: A - Archaeological. C - Cultural, H - Historical, N - Natural, R - Recreational. S - Scenic
Project Category
Project Type
Project along a State-designated scenic byway that is carried out to make the byway eligible for
designation as an All-American Road or a National Scenic Byway.
Is the project consistent with the Corridor Management Plan for the byway(s)?
Yes
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
1
Project Category (Continued)
Eligibility Category
Corridor Management
Is this application a copy of a previously submitted application or a revision of a prior non-funded
application?
No
Ready-to-Go
Prior Projects
FHW A Proj No. I Year I Project Name
I
Amount I Status
No prior projects
Project Abstract
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan project will accomplish the following objectives: the
formal organization and administration of the Corridor Management Entity (CME) that will enable the
CME to more effectively develop opportunities for teamwork among the corridor partners and to
identify a funding strategy for implementation of the CMP; the development of a Master Plan that will
provide a conceptual, visual perspective of how the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) will be
implemented; and completion of construction plans for three "ready-to-go" projects that will provide
tangible evidence of the projects addressed in the Action Plan of the CMP.
Project Narrative
Florida Keys Scenic Highway, the 106.5-mile southernmost stretch of US 1 from Key Largo to Key
West, is part of "the old national road" that starts in Maine and meanders down the East Coast to
Florida. In addition to spectacular natural beauty, locals and visitors enjoy festivals, sunset
celebrations, state parks, recreation areas, historic sites, museums, artists, island cuisine, sunshine, the
laid-back, tropical atmosphere, rich cultural heritage and friendly people of the Florida Keys. US 1
leads to these attractions and is "The Main Street" for the Keys community-the daily roadway to jobs,
schools, colleges, shops and commercial areas, hospitals and services-all the necessities of life for
Keys residents, The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is a magnificent route worthy of its Florida Scenic
Highways designation - a pathway to innumerable hidden treasures waiting to be discovered,
For five years, from 1996 to 2001, a group of dedicated residents of the Florida Keys worked together
to gather the information and complete the documentation required for the designation of US 1 from
Key Largo to Key West as a Florida Scenic Highway. The Corridor Advocacy Group was established
as a committee of Clean Florida Keys, Inc., a not-for-profit volunteer organization promoting
community stewardship to protect and improve the environment and natural resources of the Florida
Keys, The CAG provided the forum for public participation and offered assistance in coordinating the
partners involved in the designation process. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Management
Plan (CMP) was completed andthe Florida Keys Scenic Highway was designated on May 15,2001.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CMP identifies a number of Action Items to implement its goals,
objectives and strategies developed to preserve, protect, maintain and enhance US 1 from Key Largo to
Key West. These Action Items relate primarily to the coordination of all highway partners in the
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
2
Project Narrative (Continued)
provision of visitor and resident amenities involving vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access to, and
interpretation of, the cultural, historic, archaeological, natural, and scenic resources found in abundance
within or accessible to the corridor, The highest priority Action Item is the development of a web site
for the corridor, to be accomplished as quickly as possible by the CAG so that all plans and activities
associated with corridor projects will be available for public scrutiny and input from the very beginning
of the implementation phase of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CMP.
Prioritized second only to development of a web site for the Corridor is the Action Item to fonnally
develop the corridor's CME, to be called the Scenic Highway Advisory Group (SHAG). Concurrent
with the orderly fonnation of the CME, the development of a Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master
Plan is deemed equally important and vital to the CME's ability to implement the goals, objectives and
strategies of the CMP. Finally, in order to '1umpstart" development activities within the corridor and
allow momentum to build support for ongoing implementation of the Master Plan elements, the CAG
feels that it is important to develop a complete set of design and engineering documents for three
"ready-to-go" construction projects - one each in the Lower Keys, the Middle Keys and the Upper
Keys.
DEVELOP THE CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT ENTITY FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC
HIGHWAY
The Corridor Management Entity (CME) for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway will be responsible for
prioritization and funding of all projects and activities associated with the highway corridor. Because
of the complexity of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway - its length (over 100 miles); the great number
of organizations existing throughout the Florida Keys that are actively engaged in neighborhood, civic,
social, historical and environmental issues; and the fact that the corridor travels through six
governmental jurisdictions and numerous state and federal agency lands - it is of critical importance
that the CME work together as one integrated unit, made up of partnering entities all working toward
the same purpose and sharing each other's expertise and interests.
In order to be effective from the very beginning of the CMP implementation phase, the CME will
require a fonnalized organizational and educational process. The CME organizational process should,
at a minimum: determine the CME's mission and purposes; ensure effective organizational planning;
ensure adequate resources and effective ways to manage the resources; detennine and monitor the
organization's programs and services; enhance its public image; and assess its own perfonnance. A
series of workshops dedicated to this purpose will allow the CME to evolve as a group that will fully
understand the goals, objectives and strategies of the CMP and the Action Items identified to undertake
its implementation. The partnering entities will then be able to compare the goals of the CMP to their
own organizational or personal goals and can work together more effectively in the successful
integration of each.
Clean Florida Keys, Inc., whose executive director is an expert at developing training conferences and
workshops, will act as the consultant to design and facilitate the series of four (4) to six (6) workshops
with the assistance of a consultant familiar with the Florida Scenic Highways program. Concise
presentations will be developed and materials distributed to assure that each entity represented in the
CME will have a complete understanding of the elements described above as important to the
organizational process. This workshop series is expected to take place concurrent with the development
of a Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan (described below).
DEVELOP FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC HIGHWAY MASTER PLAN
Many of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CMP Action Items address large and/or complex projects
that will require significant coordination, planning, design, engineering, environmental and construction
activities. The development of a Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan will provide for the
detennination and extent of these activities in a conceptually detailed manner. The Master Plan will
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
3
Project Narrative (Continued)
create a "theme" and develop design details for signage and interpretive facilities, lighting, guardrails,
and other amenities for travelers. Finally, it will present cost estimates so that the CME will be able to
more effectively develop a funding strategy for its implementation.
This project, expected to take nine (9) months, will require the services of a professional planning!
design consultant who has the ability to produce a corridor Master Plan and prepare the text and graphic
presentations necessary to fully describe the "build-out" of the elements during an extensive public
participation process, This process will include presentations at public workshops and meetings.
Monroe County has agreed to manage the Master Plan project, from the competitive negotiation process
to the execution of the design contract. Clean Florida Keys, Inc., who has served as the public
participation agent for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway designation process and the Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail process, will serve as the consultant in the public participation program for the
Master Plan.
DEVELOP PLANS FOR THREE "READY -TO-GO" CONSTRUCfION PROmCfS
Development of a complete set of design and engineering documents for three modest, "ready-to-go"
construction projects - one each in the Lower Keys, the Middle Keys and the Upper Keys- is seen by
the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG as a vital component to build momentum in support of ongoing
implementation of the Master Plan elements. These construction projects may address "gateway"
treatments in Key Largo and/or Key West, as identified conceptually in the Master Plan, or may be
related to enhancement of trail facilities in conjunction with development of the Florida Keys Overseas
Heritage Trail State Park, a major pedestrian and bicycle trail system planned within the scenic highway
corridor.
Many Keys residents and governmental jurisdictions share the feeling that "plans" are made all the
time, especially conceptual plans. Even though these groups understand the importance of conceptual
plans, frustration exists when no actual construction activities occur in a reasonably short time frame,
With actual construction plans developed in conjunction with the conceptual Master Plan, the
opportunity exists to immediately pursue funding and build some projects within the Florida Keys
Scenic Highway Corridor, The public will then be able to recognize the potential for building the types
of facilities that are planned for the corridor, and the governments will gain support for dedicating and
leveraging funds necessary for implementing the Corridor Vision.
PRomCf ADMINISTRATION
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CME will act as the project manager of the Master Plan. In order to
ensure that these projects are completed in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner, Monroe County
will act as the fiscal administrator and will execute a contract with one or more consulting firms to
develop the Master Plan. Clean Florida Keys, Inc. will serve as a consultant in the CME Development
process and in the public participation program.
As a major stakeholder in the Master Plan, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Advocacy
Group (CAG) will continue to perform its advocacy "duties," coordinating with Monroe County, the
project consultants and the other civic, social, historical and environmental organizations in the Florida
Keys to make sure that all interests are addressed and that the processes allow accessibility for public
input throughout.
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
4
Work Plan
Line
Item TaskIMilestone Description
Start Date!
Duration
Work Category
001 Develop the Florida Keys Scenic 15 Jul2oo2 Corridor Management
Highway Corridor Management Entity 12 months
Responsible Party: Marlene Conaway, Monroe County Growth Management
Justification:
Clean Florida Keys, Inc" with the assistance of a consultant familiar with the Florida Scenic
Highways program, will organize and conduct a series of 4 to 6 organizational workshops for
the CME. These workshops will produce an organizational plan and policies for the CME
(including development of CME Bylaws) and will delineate an ongoing process for
coordination and participation between CME members. These workshops will also serve as a
forum to develop a program for pursuing funding for corridor activities, including information
on all applicable grants, their timelines and requirements. The organizational workshops will:
(1) Cultivate participation on the CME from governmental, business, civic, environmental,
historical, cultural, artistic, educational and other public and private sectors in the Florida
Keys;
(2) Design a structure for the CME that will sustain ongoing interest and work on the goals
and objectives outlined in the initial Corridor Management Plan;
(3) Facilitate communications among CME members to enable the exchange of ideas,
discussion of corridor goals and consensus on priorities (through meetings; teleconferencing;
email; Home Page);
(4) Encourage, facilitate and document feedback from the public on the goals of the Corridor
Management Plan through town meetings, electronic and hard copy surveys, Home Page
updates and surveys, email, voice mail, etc.;
(5) Review and refine goals and objectives of the Corridor Management Plan as appropriate;
(6) Develop teamwork and coordination with government and the private sectors as a top
priority in working on CMP goals;
(7) Establish procedures for periodic review of the CME structure and policies to assure that
they are appropriate to the goals of the CMP and make adjustments as appropriate;
(8) Create a strategy plan for completion of scenic highway programs and projects in one,
three and five year increments.
002 Develop Public Participation Program 01 Oct 2002 Corridor Management
12 months
Responsible Party: Marlene Conaway, Monroe County Growth Management
Justification:
Clean Florida Keys, Inc. will develop a public participation program for the duration of the
Master Planl"Ready-to-Go" Construction Projects. This program will include public
workshops, public meetings, regular updates via web page(s) and newsletters, and media
exposure. Clean Florida Keys, Inc. will develop posters and flyers, post cards and/or other
means of inviting the public to meetings and workshops. The public participation program
will include at least one mailing to all property owners within the corridor giving notice of the
development of the master plan and inviting comments and participation in the plan
development process.
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
5
Work Plan (Continued)
Line
Item Task/Milestone Description
003 Develop Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Master Plan
Start Date!
Duration
01 Oct 2002
9 months
Work Category
Corridor Management
Responsible Party: Marlene Conaway, Monroe County Growth Management
Justification:
The consultant hired to develop the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan will coordinate
with the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CME and Monroe County to develop a scope of
services to describe the tasks and products that will be required to complete a Corridor Master
Plan. The scope of services will provide more specific details for the following tasks and
products at a minimum:
(1) Coordinate public participation activities with Clean Florida Keys, Inc.;
(2) Conduct site analyses and prepare site assessment maps at scales appropriate to detail
existing conditions including at a minimum: identification of existing cultural, historic,
archaeological, and recreational resources; view; identification of ecological characteristics
(native and exotic vegetation, locations of threatened and endangered plant and animal
species, etc.); identification of public vs. private property adjacent to US 1; and r-o-w
characteristics;
(3) Using criteria adopted by the CME (based on criteria to be developed at the initial public
meeting), identify vacant parcels that are most critical to the preservation or protection of
intrinsic resources within the corridor, that would provide access to intrinsic resources and/or
that would provide for corridor amenities such as rest areas, overlooks, trailheads for the
Overseas Heritage Trail;
(4) Develop conceptual site plans for "gateways" to the scenic highway in Key West and Key
Largo and for enhancement of trail facilities that are consistent with the Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan;
(5) Develop guidelines and sample "theme" designs for scenic highway elements to be
incorporated into project development such as guardrails, lighting, signage, etc.;
(6) Prepare generalized cost estimates for highway elements and conceptual site plan
locations;
(7) Prepare text and graphic presentations of all the tasks described to be made available for
public review at meetings and workshops; and
(8) Produce one electronic copy of the Master Plan formatted in Microsoft Publisher, One
original hard copy version, and one pdf version, including maps and graphics necessary to
describe the master plan elements.
004 Develop Three "Ready-to-Go" 01 Jul2003 Corridor Management
Construction Projects 3 months
Responsible Party: Marlene Conaway, Monroe County Growth Management
Justification:
The consultant hired to development a complete set of design and engineering documents for
three modest, "ready-to-go" construction projects will coordinate with the Florida Keys
Scenic Highway CME and Monroe County to develop plans and specifications at a detail that
can be used for permitting and bidding, as well as cost estimates for each of the three projects.
The three projects, one each in the Lower Keys, the Middle Keys and the Upper Keys, will be
chosen by the CME based on public input from the Master Plan public participation process.
These construction projects may address "gateway" treatments in Key Largo and/or Key
West, as identified conceptually in the Master Plan, or may be related to enhancement of trail
facilities in conjunction with development of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail State
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
6
Work Plan (Continued)
I 004 I Park, a major pedestrian and bicycle trail system planned within the scenic highway corridor.
Budget
Line
Item Description Total Cost Request Amt.
001 Develop the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor $15,000 $15,000
Management Entity
002 Develop Public Participation Program $15,000 $15,000
003 Develop Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan $125,000 $100,000
004 Develop Three "Ready-to-Go" Construction Projects $45,000 $30,000
Totals $200,000 $160,000
Match amount (total cost - requested amoun~s $40,000 or 20.0% of total.
Match accounted for in Match Breakdown is 0,000 or 20.0% of total.
These two amounts must be equal for the Budget and Match sections to be complete.
For your information, 80% of Total Cost is $160,000, and 20% of Total Cost is $40,000.
Your match amount cannot be less than 20% of Total Cost.
Match Breakdown
Source Description Type Value
Monroe County County Impact Fees Cash $40,000
Total $40,000
Total from items above: $40,000 or 20.0% of total.
Match amount from Budget: $40,000 or 20.0% of total.
These two amounts must be equal for the Budget and Match sections to be complete.
For your information, 80% of Total Cost is $160,000, and 20% of Total Cost is $40,000.
Your match amount cannot be less than 20% of Total Cost.
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
7
Project Coordinator
Coordinator Name
Marlene Conaway
Agency/Group rille
Monroe County Growth Management Director of Planning and Environmental ResoUl
E-mail Address
conaway@mail,state,fl.us
Phone rax
305-289-2500 305-289-2536
Stree. Address
2798 Overseas Highway
City I~ IZIP
Marathon 33050
ces
State Program
Slate I Byway Program Slart Date
FL 01 Jul1993
Scenic Byway Agency
Florida Dept. of Transportation
Slate Scenic Byways Coordinator
Cunill Buddy
E-mail Address
buddy .cunill@dot.state.fl.us
Phone rax
850-922-7207 850-922-7217
I Street Address
605 Suwannee Street, Mail Stop 37
City IS~ IZIP
Tallahassee 32399
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
8
Signatures
State Scenic Byways Agency
Buddy Cunill
State Scenic Highways Program Coordinator
Date
Matching Funds Certification
Buddy Cunill
State Scenic Highways Program Coordinator
Date
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
9
Congressional Members
Associated States
I $rem I S~aw~
FL Graham, Bob
Nelson, Bill
State Representatives
State District Representative
FL 20 Deutsch, Peter
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
10
Attachments
D Location Map
D Corridor Vision
D Listing of Applicable Goals, Objectives and Strategies from CMP
D Listing of Applicable Action Plan Items from CMP
D Documentation of Project Match
D Designation Letter
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan
11
-
Flo
-
't4.J .
..~
-
-
or. a
KEYS
Scenic: Highway
corridor
management plan
Submitted to
Florida Department of Transportation, District Six
Scenic Highways Coordinator
602 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33130
Submitted by
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG
June Helbling and Kathy Toribio, Co-Chairs
c/o Clean Florida Keys, Inc.
PO Box 1528
Key West, FL 33041-1528
Prepared by
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG
Peggy Fowler, Planning Consultant
Patricia Fontova, Graphic Designer
Carter and Burgess, Inc., Planning Consultants
This document was prepared in part with funding from the Florida Department of Transportation.
II ,Ill I J llill ,IJUUm[lIlf" " ,
eo
Contents
, NTRO D UCTIO N ......... ............. ............ ... ...... ..... ... ... ........ ......... I
CORRIDOR VISIO N ..................................................................... 5
Chapter 3: CORRIDOR STORy..................................................................... 7
Chapter 4: DE.SIGNATION CRITE.RIA .......~................................................13
Chapter 5: BACKGROUND CONDITONS ANALYSIS................................27
Chapter 6: RE.LATIONSHIP TO COMPREHE.NSIVE. PLAN ........................59
Chapter 7: PROTE.CTION TE.CHNIQUE.S...................................................63
Chapter 8: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.............................................., 69
Chapter 9: PARTNE.RSHIPS AND AGRE.E.ME.NTS ...................................... 79
Chapter 10: FUNDING AND PROMOTION................................................. 85
Chabter ! ;: GOALS, OBJE.CTlVE.S AND STRATE.GIE.S ................................. 93
Chapter 12: ACTION PLAN ...........................................................................97
LIST OF TABLE.S
Table I:
Table 2:
Table 3:
Table 4:
Table 5:
Table 6:
Table 7:
Table B:
US I ROADWAYIR-O-W DE.SCRIPTION ................... Appendix A
US I SIGNALlZE.D INTE.RSE.CTIONS.......................................29
INVE.NTORY OF KEYS BRIDGES ............................... Appendix A
EXISTING LAND USE IN THE FLORIDA KE.YS........................31
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT DATA...................... 42
FDOT 1998 ANNUAL AVERAGE DAILy..................... Appendix A
FDOT FIVE-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PLAN ........... Appendix A
SUMMARY,CORRIDOR IMPRESSIONS SURVEy..... Appendix A
LIST OF FIGURfS
Figure I:
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
Figure 4:
Figure 5:
Figure 6:
Figure 7:
Figure B:
Figure 9:
Figure 10:
REGIONAL LOCATION MAP ......................................................2
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION/NO. OF LANES ,..................2 B
EXISTING LAND USE................................................. Appendix A
fUTURf LAND USE ................................................... A.ppendix A
TRAfFIC COUNT STATION NUMBERS ................... A.ppendix A
AVERAGE TRAFFIC SPEEDS AND LOS...................... Appendix A
1999/00 FIVE. YEAR WORK PROGRAM ..................... A.ppendix A
CORRIDOR LIMITS .................................................... A.ppendix A
RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE FACILITIES ......... A.ppendix A
NATURAL fEA TURES ................................................. Appendix A
APPENDICES
Appendix A: SELECTED FIGURfS AND TABLES
Appendix B: CORRIDOR ADVOCACY GROUP
Appendix C: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
A.ppendix D: RfSOLUTIONS AND LETTERS OF SUPPORT
Appendix E: OLD KEYS BRIDGES TASK FORCE STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS
Appendix F: OVERSEAS HERITAGE TRAIL PROJECT
. .c......_.". '~.":~".r
a
ter
INTRODUCTION
The stretch of US I from Key Largo to Key West travels through some of the nation's most spec-
tacular scenery and is part ofthe "old national road" that starts in Maine and meanders down the
East Coast to Florida. In addition to outstanding natural beauty, locals and visitors enjoy festi-
vals, sunset celebrations, state parks, recreation areas, historic sites, museums, artists, island cuisine,
sunshine, the laid-back, tropical atmosphere, rich cultural heritage and friendly people of the
Florida Keys. US 1 leads to these attractions and is the "Main Street" for the Keys community _
the daily roadway to jobs, schools, colleges, shops and commercial areas, hospitals and services _
all the necessities of life for Keys residents.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is "one of a kind" in the world; surrounded by the Atlantic
Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it stretches out as far as the eye can see, The high-
way winds through vistas of natural beauty with views of spectacular sunrises, sunsets, sparkling
stars and moonlight. It's a road where travelers from all over the world experience their own ad-
ventures in paradise - many have come for a visit and never go home. The Florida Keys Scenic
Highway is a magnificent route worthy of the Florida Scenic Highway designation - a pathway to
innumerable hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
In 1996 Clean Florida Keys Inc" (CFK), a local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. and
Keep Florida Beautiful, Inc., established the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Advocacy
Group (CAG) in order to undertake the enormous task of completing the required documentation
of why US 1 from MM 0 to MM 106.5-Key West to Key Largo-should be designated as a
Florida Scenic Highway, CFK's mission to "enhance the beauty of the Florida Keys from Key
West to the Everglades" made it the obvious choice as the citizens' non-profit group to spearhead
the designation activities. This designation process has been a major undertaking requiring sig-
nificant time, dedication and involvement of volunteers throughout the Florida Keys.
The final step in the Florida Scenic Highways designation process is the
completion of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP)-a presentation of the
scenic highway's development and strategies to maintain and enhance the
scenic highway. The CMP provides a record of the actions and agree-
ments necessary to sustain the scenic corridor. The CMP is a dynamic
document that will be revisited and revised as necessary to meet current
and future needs of the scenic corridor.
The CMP describes the corridor vision along with the goals, objectives and
strategies required to implement the vision. It also describes the resources
found within the corridor and analyzes roadway conditions, signage regu-
lations, safety issues, transportation planning, roadway improvements, land
use, zoning, protection techniques, and environmental conditions.
Page 1
Chapter'
A community participation program is developed in the CMP, based on local support and various
partnerships and agreements. Funding sources are evaluated and a promotion plan is included to
help ensure implementation of the CMP.
All local government jurisdictions through which the corridor runs must approve the Corridor
Management Plan and incorporate applicable provisions into their local Comprehensive Plans. A
representative from each local government will be required to serve as a member of the Corridor
Management Entity (CME)-a citizen advocacy group-that can make recommendations on
ways to coordinate and administer the implementation ofthe CMP, Other members of the CME
should include those necessary to fully implement the CMP. For example, representatives from
the CAG; Chambers of Commerce and other business groups; community and neighborhood as-
sociations; historical, cultural and environmental groups; hikers, walkers and bicycle groups; and
agencies with management responsibilities within the corridor should be included in the CME.
The CMP includes a five-year Action Plan that serves as a guide for the scenic highway-a list of
activities and tasks that need to be accomplished to implement the goals, objectives and strategies
of the CMP. The Action Plan is organized into a chronological listing of actions by three broad
categories:
. corridor improvements/enhancements,
. promotion/community participation, and
. administrative/coordination.
CORRIDOR LIMITS
The preliminary corridor limits for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway were defined by the CAG in
the Letter of Intent sent to FDOT in April 1997. The initial corridor limits included parts of Card
Sound Road and continued south via CR 905 and US 1 to Key West and included all the land area
of the Keys. Since that time the limits have been refined to include only properties and
viewsheds located adjacent to US 1/SR 5 and AlA, beginning in Key West at Mile Marker 0 at
the intersection of Whitehead and
Fleming Streets and at the intersec-
tion of South Roosevelt and 1 st
Street, and continuing north to the
intersection of US I and CR 905 in
Gulf of Mexico Key Largo. The corridor is ap-
proximately 106.5 miles in length.
Figure 1 depicts the regionalloca-
tion.
Marau;o,~. IsIamoracla
~'
Atlantic Ocean
Figure I: l.Dcation Map
Page 2
INTRODUCTION
The corridor viewshed consists of all land parcels and water resources adjacent to the highway
corridor on both sides of the highway and provides glimpses of the five wetland habitats found
in the Florida Keys: mangrove forests, transitional wetlands, salt ponds, beaches and freshwater
ponds, plus wetlands associated with va-
cant undeveloped land, and local, state
and federal parks, preserves, and sanctu-
anes.
Panoramic vistas of open expanses of
water abound throughout the corridor
including views ofthe Atlantic Ocean,
Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico along
some portions of the highway and from
the 41 bridges that connect the islands of
the Keys. Starting in Key Largo, the US
1 traveler can experience towns, cities
and villages such as Tavernier, the City
of Layton, Islamorada, Village of Is-
lands, Key Colony Beach, the City of
Marathon, Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, Mile Marker 6/. US /
SugarloafKey, Big Coppitt Key and Key
West-just to name a few. The many
communities of these islands include a fascinating mixture of old and new charm-each with
their special characteristics-- marinas, commercial and sport fishing, kayaking, sailing, wildlife
preserves, resorts, hotels, inns, shops and stores, restaurants, diving centers, and historic dis-
tricts. These all add to the variety and interest of the corridor and provide services for the high-
way traveler.
Consistent with respect for private property rights, and without intending unduly to restrict uses
of private property owners - which could not occur in any case without proper action by the
relevant government authority - the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Advocacy Group
recognizes that the importance of the highway as a scenic corridor is defined by its scenic
views. The preservation and enhancement of all scenic aspects is central to its designation and
maintenance as a scenic highway. In general, the goals of preserving vistas should be achiev-
able by enhancement involving public lands. By defining corridor limits that include views
from private property where the view may be more restrictive, there is no intention to imply that
the view should be opened or that any activities should occur that would interfere with private
property rights.
Page 3
Chapter'
Page 4
CORRIDOR VISION
VISION STATEMENT
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway from Key Largo to
Key West is a magnificent journey across more than
100 miles of unique interconnected islands. The is-
lands abound in rich historical, cultural, recreational,
natural and scenic treasures, and offer an unrivaled
paradise for the mind, body and soul.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway welcomes resi-
dents and travelers on a safe and relaxing tropical
journey that conjures up images of bygone eras,
Striking views open to the crystalline turquoise and emerald waters of the Atlantic
Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Native mangroves and tropical hardwood hammocks
dominate the roadside landscape with distant barrier islands on the horizon.
A magnificent pedestrian and bicycle trail parallels the length of the highway, mean-
dering through a landscape of native plants and trees and across historic Old Keys
Bridges - the remnant of Henry Flagler's railway. The trail is a world-class attraction
for the enjoyment of residents and visitors and provides safe access to shops, restau-
rants and nightlife - a boon to the local economy. Opportunities for camping, boating,
fishing, cycling, swimming, and hiking in pristine environments abound.
Small-scale buildings hug the water's edge and
reflect the scale of the island communities with
their funky and informal architecture. Commer-
cial areas are clean, uncluttered and well land-
scaped. Buffer yards screen industrial areas,
large parking lots and unattractive views.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway links Keys
communities with a diverse local, state and na-
tional park and refuge system which protects the
coral reef, beaches, mangroves and hammocks,
and the unique plant and animal species found
here. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is well marked with excellent night lighting,
especially at busy intersections. Overall it is well-maintained and litter-free, with
roadside pullouts and scenic overlooks at points of interest. Rest area facilities and
amenities are also provided. Educational kiosks and interpretive information unbury the fas-
cinating tales of the islands and their histories along this fascinating route across the seas.
Page 5
Chapter 2
Page 6
a
ter
CORRIDOR STORY
The "Road to Paradise." No, it's not an old Bob Hope & Bing Crosby movie...it's how folks in
the Florida Keys describe the stretch of US 1 from Key Largo to Key West that travels through
some of the nation's most spectacular scenery. This southern section of US 1 is part of "the old
national road" that starts in Maine and travels down the East Coast to Florida.
HISTORY
The fIrst Western settlement in the Florida Keys was Cayo Hueso - the Isle of Bones - so named
because the land bore the remains of a vast Indian graveyard or battleground. The name later
evolved into Key West. The land belonged to Spain until 1821, when Juan Pablo Salas sold it to
John Simonton, a businessman from Mobile, Alabama, for $2,000. The city had grown to about
2,700 people by the 1850's. In time, Key West became one of the richest cities in America. Cu-
ban emigrants, including Vincente Martinez Ybor, built a large cigar-making industry in the mid-
1800's, with more than 165 factories at one time. The sponge industry was later another lucrative
business enterprise. Turtles were hunted nearly to extinction until recently, but remnants of the
turtle trade can be found at the old cannery, now a restaurant known as Turtle Kraals.
Predecessor routes to US I were primitive roads built in the 1880's to connect pineapple farms
around old Key Largo to docks where crops were transported to the mainland. Before that, the
only way to travel in the Keys was by boat. Most ofthe Keys were sparsely populated, and this
isolation made Key West one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. From 1821 to the start
of the 1900's, Key West fortunes came from its strategic location, where the Gulf Stream meets
Atlantic currents, and the richness this brought in fishing, sponging, piracy, and trade, and the
bounty it reaped from shipwrecks caught on the nearby reefs.
Isolation came to a halt at the start of the 20th Century. From 1905 to 1912 Henry Flagler, foun-
der of the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller, financed the building of his dream--
the Florida East Coast Railroad Extension to take rail passengers from points north along the
Florida Keys to Key West...and then onto ships headed for Cuba.
Workers and materials came from all over the world. Everything had to be imported-even fresh
water for workmen was shipped from Miami. Fighting heat, malaria, and deprivations of all
types workers created bridges, viaducts and roadbed for what some
considered at the time the 8th Wonder of the World. The Seven -
Mile Bridge that extends over vast expanses of open seas near
Marathon, is in itself a man-made wonder. Extending from Home-
stead to Key West over 128 miles of track, Flagler's East Coast
Railroad opened the Keys to the world. It ran from 1912 until the
hurricane of September 1935 hit the railroad at Islamorada station
with a 17-foot wall of water. With the railroad already suffering
....
........._*";JIS ,::-', /'
,,:f':n,:~! ~""f;'J:~
) \ VJf...,'
~ .4;,
,- ~.. -
~
. .....:~:.......
Page 7
Chapter 3
from mismanagement and effects of the Great Depression. the hurricane was the final blow end-
ing Flagler's dream.
A new dream took shape in 1936 when Monroe
County's Overseas Road and Toll Commission
secured the railroad right-of-way and built a two-
lane road along the old railroad route. This
Overseas Highway opened the remote Florida
Keys to new generations of travelers starting in
1938, The Overseas Highway was formally
opened for traffic on July 2, 1938. The Key West
Citizen dated March 28, 1938, announced "...
Several Thousand Automobiles And 10,000 Visitors Expected to Arrive In Key West During Next
Few Days..." President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled the Overseas Highway in February 1939,
and nearly every U. S. President since then has traveled at some point to the Florida Keys.
In most cases this new highway ran across the old railroad bridges. Many of the old bridges can
still be seen as you travel US 1 today. In the late 1970's and early 1980's the road was totally re-
done and new bridges were built to handle increased traffic-in most cases alongside the old
ones. The abandoned Old Keys Bridges are prized today by walkers, runners, nature lovers and
fishermen as unique vantage points to enjoy the surrounding waters.
Clean Florida Keys, Inc. (CFK) which took the lead in establishing the Florida Keys Scenic High-
way CAG, also played a major role in saving the old keys bridges from destruction or being taken
over by commercial ventures. In 1997/1998 CFK was instrumental in getting Governor Lawton
Chiles to appoint the Old Keys Bridges Task Force to make recommendations on the Old Keys
Railroad Bridges. One ofthe major recommendations of the Task Force was to preserve the
bridges for fishermen, walkers and bicyclists and to incorporate them, as appropriate, into a rec-
reational trail. This recommendation has now come to fruition and the Florida Department of En-
vironmental Protection is coordinating with Monroe County and the Florida Department of Trans-
portation to build the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. Already there are about 60 miles of
trails in the Keys, and this exciting project will help to enhance and link those together, while
making use of many of the old bridges to form a world-class pedestrian and bicycle trail linking Key
Largo to Key West along the US I corridor.
UNIQUE IMPRESSIONS
The colorful and interesting history of the Overseas Highway serves to introduce the traveler to
the lure, lore and wonder of this incredible route. A
drive on today's Overseas Highway takes the traveler
through spectacular vistas of sky and water-a sub-
tropical paradise-and is the land route to the only
living coral reef in the continental United States. The
coral reef of the Florida Keys has been a central force
in shaping the culture, ambience, livelihood and econ- ,.>- --....r-
omy of the Keys. For native Americans the Keys and
surrounding reef waters were home; but pirates, ad-
venturers, explorers and renegades also discovered
the bounty ofthese waters, eventually making life im-
possible for native tribes.
Page 8
CORRIDOR STORY
Many Spanish galleons and ships bringing supplies to the fIrst American settlers sank in the
treacherous reef waters along the coast. Pirates and salvagers took advantage of this situation
and made their living from nature's havoc. They became "Wreckers," and sailing races still held
today known as Wrecker's Races commemorate this era.
You can visit shipwreck museums at MM 102.6, MM 86 and in Key West-MM 00-3. You may
choose to take tours ofIndian Key Historic State Park and Lignumvitae Botanical State Park con-
ducted by park rangers, which are offered at MM 78.5. The Natural History Museum of the Flor-
ida Keys is found at Crane Point Hammock at MM 50. You can experience the intrigue of long
ago pirates by attending the Pirates in Paradise festival in Marathon or the Conch Harbor Days in
Key West.
Today's adventure seekers may want to explore their own archaeological fInds, diving ship-
wrecks in the island waters with experienced tour leaders. There are many places that offer the
opportunity to experience the reef firsthand via snorkeling or diving. Divers can go to MM 103,
Key Largo Undersea Park, MM 102.5 John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, MM 68 Long Key
State Park, MM 38 Bahia Honda State Park, MM 25 Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, and
many other dive centers along the way. The Florida Keys National Ma-
rine Sanctuary offices are located in the Marathon area near MM 61.
In addition to the attractions of the coral reef, residents and visitors
come to fIsh, boat, sail, swim, and relax amidst the beaches and crystal-
line turquoise and emerald waters surrounding the highway. The waters
along the Florida Keys offer some of the best sportfishing in the world
as well as a chance for the amateur fIsherman to enjoy a few relaxing
hours fIshing off of one of the many Old Keys Bridges along the high-
way. Fishing has been a mainstay of the Keys dating back to early na-
tive American tribes that depended on fIsh for their food. Commercial
fishing is an important factor in the economy of the Florida Keys and
you can see shrimp boats offshore, shrimp hatcheries, and other aqua-
culture sites as you travel south. Numerous marinas and slips for launching your boat are also
located along the Overseas Highway offering you the opportunity to try your hand at sailing, kay-
aking, canoeing, pleasure-boating, and deep-sea fIshing. Lots of annual fIshing toumaments-
usually "catch and release"- are held throughout the Keys.
A remarkable number of endangered wildlife live in or migrate through the Florida Keys includ-
ing such species as the Florida Manatee, the Key Deer, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Lower Keys Marsh
Rabbit, Green Sea Turtle, Silver Rice Rat-just to mention a few. The unique features of the reef
and mangroves along with other special environmental aspects of the Florida Keys make it a
habitat for thousands of fIsh, crustaceans, mammals and sea creatures..
The Florida Keys are home to many cultures. Bahamian and Cuban influences are dominant
since people from these nearby islands (Cuba lies 90 miles off the coast) have been coming to the
Keys for hundreds of years. Culture, music, art, architecture and cuisine of the Keys are steeped
in these traditions. Experience for yourself Cuban, Bahamian and Caribbean food, dance to Salsa
music, listen to the relaxing rhythms of an island steel drum band and visit the many museums
and galleries full of art influenced by these cultures.
Page 9
Chapter 3
A TRAVELER'S EXPERIENCE
From the moment you reach the top ofthe Key Largo's Jewfish Creek Bridge on US 1 traveling
south, the feeling of leaving the mainland United States and traveling to "the islands" begins to take
shape. Rounding the sharp turn into Key Largo proper, you enter the largest of the Florida Keys
(about 30 miles from end to end), called Cayo Largo, or long island, by the Spanish. The island is
bounded by the Everglades National Park on the Florida Bay side and by the Key Largo National
Marine Sanctuary on the Atlantic Ocean side. Scenes from the popular 1948 film "Key Largo" star-
ring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Edward G. Robinson, were shot in this area,
A few miles south ofthe intersection of US 1 and CR 905
is the entrance to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park,
the nation's first underwater park. This state park and the
adjacent national marine sanctuary include approximately
190 square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and man-
grove swamps. The sea life, including 55 types of coral
and 600-plus species of fish, as well as shore birds and
other native wildlife provide a constantly changing dis-
play of natural beauty. The park is named for journalist
John Pennekamp who wrote articles urging the preserva-
M tion of the reefs. The park offers picnic areas and nature
angroves trails and provides a base for offshore snorkeling, diving,
and glass bottom boat trips, plus canoeing, kayaking and boating among the twisting water trails
through the overhanging mangroves.
South of Key Largo is the community of Tavernier, probably named for the "tavern" establish-
ments popular with the wreckers of the 19th Century. The town's historic district contains more
than 50 buildings dating to the early 1900's, including railroad stations, churches, homes, a school
and stores. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is located on the Atlantic Ocean side of
Tavernier and continues alongside the Keys on both sides all the way to Key West.
Once you cross over the Tavernier Creek Bridge you enter Islamorada, Village of Islands, or as
the Spanish explorers actually named it, is/as moradas, translated as "purple isles," made up of
Windley Key, the southern portion of Plantation Key to Tavernier Creek, Upper Matecumbe, Tea
Table, Indian Key and Lower Matecumbe Keys. Windley Key is the home of the Windley Key
Fossil Reef Geological State Park, where you'll see the remnants of the coral formations that gave
birth to the Keys 100,000 years ago. Of more recent vintage is the San Pedro Underwater Ar-
chaeological State Park, the final resting place of21 treasure-laden Spanish galleons that sank in
a 1733 hurricane. Another Islamorada, Village oflslands area distinction is the Lignumvitae Key
Botanical State Park - the highest spot in the Keys at 18 feet above sea level. Named for one of
the hardest woods in the world, it's home to a coral rock house built in 1919. Nearby is Indian
Key State Historic State Park, once the home of the Dade County Seat and a wreckers' village
that was burned by the Seminole Indians in 1840. Islamorada, Village of Islands is the home of a
wealth of marinas offering charters and boat rentals to the sportfishing enthusiasts that flock here
year-round.
Traveling south oflslamorada, Village oflslands you pass through Fiesta Key and Long Key,
where the Long Key State Park offers water recreational facilities as well as nature trails through
tropical hammock trees such as gumbo limbo, poisonwood, mahogany, Jamaica dogwood and
crabwood.
Page 10
CORRIDOR STORY
Located about halfway between Key Largo and Key West, the City of Marathon is the region's
largest city with an airport and its own share of natural and historical treasures. Marathon is
made up of Conch Key, Duck Key, Grassy Key, Crawl Key, Fat Deer Key, and the largest, Vaca
Key, which was named by the Spanish for its abundant population of manatees (sea cows). The
area was home to New England fishermen who plied its waters in the early 1800's, to Bahamian
farmers in the later part of the 19th Century, and later to a massive community of railroad work-
ers,
One story holds that the name Marathon reflects the mammoth task facing Henry Flagler's con-
struction crews as they set out to build a bridge across seven miles of open water. The old Seven
Mile Bridge now provides a route to Pigeon Key-the historic location where many of the rail-
road workers slept and ate. The old buildings have been
restored and contain interesting displays of how the
bridges were built with accompanying old pictures and
artifacts. It's also a popular spot for concerts, art shows,
retreats, students groups doing research in the Keys and
special events.
The Old Seven Mile Bridge is also much in demand by
walkers taking a sunset stroll, and for years fishermen
have found its piers a productive site for casting into the
waters. There's a panoramic view of open water on both
sides dotted with small islands where pleasure craft sail
on the blue-green waters. While in Marathon, travelers
should take time to visit Crane Point Hammock, owned Pigeon Key
and operated by the Florida Keys Land and Sea Trust. It
offers the largest native thatch palm hammock in Florida and includes a nature trail, the historic
Adderley House, and a Natural History Museum.
As the Mile Marker numbers descend, you enter the "Middle Keys." From Bahia Honda Key and
its beautiful beaches you can take US 1 through West Summerland, Big Pine, Little and Big
Torch, Ramrod, Summerland, Cudjoe, Sugarloafand Saddlebunch Keys. Bahia Honda State Park
is a favorite hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and camping spot and home to many rare plants, as well
as being one of the top-rated beaches in the United States. It offers a panoramic view of the is-
land and surrounding waters from atop the historic Old Bahia
Honda Bridge. The views ofthe old bridge and the open water
are spectacular from the new bridge as you drive over it.
Across Spanish Harbor Key, you enter Big Pine Key and the
National Key Deer Refuge, where distant relatives of Virginia
white-tailed deer stand only about 2 feet tall. Also in this area is
the Watson's Hammock Nature Preserve and Blue Hole, an arti-
ficiallake left from rock-quarrying days, that is the largest body
of fresh water in the Keys and home to alligators and soft-shell
Key Deer turtles. Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, about eight miles
offshore, is a popular diving site named for the H.M.S. Looe, a
British ship that wrecked in 1744. The scenic ride through Cudjoe, Sugarloaf and Saddlebunch
Keys offers striking views of natural areas, ocean and bay immediately adjacent to the highway.
Destinations include the Bat Tower Historic Site, hiking in the Great Heron National Wildlife
Page 11
Chapter 3
Refuge and kayaking the Five Mile Creek. For a bird's-eye view of the Keys, you can enjoy a
skydive experience or take a plane ride from the small airport on SugarloafKey.
As you leave Saddlebunch Keys you enter into the "Lower Keys"-Shark Key, Geiger Key, Big Cop-
pitt Key, Rockland Key, Boca Chica, Stock Island and Key West-the southernmost town in the U. S.
The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge borders
this area on the Gulf of Mexico side. Key West is rich
with historic sites and charming architecture telling the
stories of its famous and infamous residents and visitors.
These characters range from the Spanish explorer Ponce
de Leon and railroad magnate Henry Flagler to President
Harry Truman, who vacationed in the "Little White
House" on Whitehead Street. Key West has inspired such
acclaimed writers as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Wil-
liams, and Robert Frost.
Hemingway House, Key West
Key West has been involved in many conflicts, from
the Civil War to the Spanish-American War to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The island is, in fact,
closer to Havana, Cuba (90 miles), than it is to Miami (150 miles), Key
West is home to the "conch" culture, the Cuban culture and the Black culture
of the Bahamian and Jamaican islands to the east, and offers food, crafts and
festivals that honor these cultures.
At the end of your trip through the "Road to Paradise," South Roosevelt
Boulevard offers an enormous view of the ocean, typically scattered with
shrimp boats and cruise ships heading to or from Key West. West Martello
and East Martello Museums offer peaceful gardens and a glimpse into mili-
tary history, and the famous Smathers Beach is a pleasant distraction. Com-
mercialized North Roosevelt Boulevard sports a view of the salt ponds and
Dredgers Key on the way to Garrison Bight. The busy, tree-lined urban cor-
ridors of Truman Boulevard and Whitehead Street with sidewalks, street
lighting and a glimpse of city life, reflect the intensity of modern activity in
Key West. The rich heritage and modern influences of the real Key West are
best explored on foot or bicycle allowing access to the path less traveled and
a surprise around every corner. You can relax at one of the historic bed and
breakfast establishments, luxuriate in a ritzy resort hotel, or bunk down at the American Youth
Hostel before you sample all of the cultural, historical,
and recreational facilities offered by this unique island ~'
community. At the end ofthe day you will be ready to
join the crowd at Mallory Square where the world-
famous Sunset Celebration takes place.
Sunset at Key West
~ "', ~"""."'!!l
, ....,....... .
."~ -,,'
''''!2-. :!,~~;~. '- ..~(.~ JI'.I; ~ '~I, . . I
." '1\1 ,.~,~ /- r ,t..,' \ '~ \:.~'
,_~ --Itt~ __ __-%i-~ -':.?..} . 't
-""'_~ /." I
it ~ -~'-"=t-:-~IA:-'f ~.~..~ t
.~:., __ -#".v
.~~. ", \. .
Mallory Square. Key West
Page 12
a
ter
DESIGNATION CRITERIA
Designation criteria have been established by the Florida Scenic Highways Program to establish
the quality the program expects in its designated corridors. Universal criteria are applicable to all
corridors, regardless of their intrinsic resources, while resource-specific criteria are unique to
each corridor and describe the resources in a very detailed manner, As described in this chapter,
the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor meets the universal criteria and the resource-specific
criteria for each ofthe six intrinsic resources found within the corridor.
UNIVERSAL CRITERIA
The Florida Scenic Highways Program Manual defines ten criteria as the basic elements of a
Florida Scenic Highway. These criteria either relate directly to the corridor and its resources or
to the actions or plans necessary to ensure implementation and continued success.
Universal Criteria # I
Resources must be visible from the roadway.
The Intrinsic Resource Assessment included in the Eligibility Application for the Florida Keys
Scenic Highway itemizes resources that are visible from US 1 and US Al A. Photographs found
throughout the CMP and the Corridor Video graphically illustrate the resources visible from the
roadway. The Intrinsic Resource Assessment also documents intrinsic resources that are not visi-
ble from US 1, but occur nearby.
Universal Criteria #2
The corridor must CCtell a story" that relates to its
intrinsic resources.
The Corridor Story for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is
included in Chapter 3.
Universal Criteria #3
The roadway must be a public roadway that safely
accommodates two-wheel drive automobiles.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway (USl/SR 5 and AlA) is a
paved, two- to four-lane arterial throughout the entire corri-
dor. The highway can safely accommodate recreational and
emergency vehicles. The Roadway/R-O-W Description in
Chapter 5 further details the characteristics of the roadway.
Page 13
Chapter 4
Universal Criteria #4
The corridor must exhibit significant. exceptional and distinctive features of the re-
gion it traverses,
Significant: Since the late 1800's, the Florida Keys have been promoted and recognized as a sig-
nificant scenic resource. Historic postcards extol the scenic and natural beauty ofthe highway.
The entire Florida Keys was designated an Area of Critical State Concern in 1975 because of the
enormous value of its natural resources.
Exceptional: Photographs throughout the CMP and
the Corridor Video demonstrate the outstanding
quality and composition of the resources found
within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor.
Distinctive: The corridor viewshed allows glimpses
of the five wetland habitats that are representative
of, and in some cases unique to, the Florida Keys
region. Panoramic vistas of open expanses of water
abound throughout the corridor including views of
the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico,
seen through roadside vegetation or from open areas
along the majority of the highway corridor.
Universal Criteria #5
The roadway must be at least one mile in length. and if appropriate. provide access
to the resources,
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is approximately one hundred six and a half(l06.5) miles in
length from its southern terminus in Key West to its northern terminus in Key Largo. Access to
the resources along the corridor is provided through public parks, marinas, boat ramps, fishing
bridges, and parking areas.
Universal Criteria #6
A majority of the corridor must exhibit the qualifying resources. These resources
should be as continuous as possible. for the present and the future,
Only about half of the land within the Florida Keys
Scenic Highway Corridor is developed, and much of
this development exhibits historical, environmental or
cultural resources. The corridor offers long stretches of
natural and recreational resources for miles at a time.
Most of these resources are preserved for the future be-
cause they are under the ownership of the local, state or
federal government in the form of parks, preserves or
wildlife refuges. Photographs found throughout the
CMP and the Corridor Video highlight the resources
available within the corridor.
Aerial View of US I
Page 14
Universal Criteria #7
A Corridor Advocacy Group (CAG) must be organized to support the scenic
highway designation,
The list of the Clean Florida Keys, Inc, Scenic High-
way Committee officers and members is found in Ap-
pendix B. This committee acts as the CAG for the
highway corridor.
Universal Criteria #8
A Community Participation Program must be
developed and implemented,
The Clean Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG has
been promoting community participation since F ebru-
ary 1995. The details of the Florida Keys Scenic High- CAG Meeting. May /999
way Community Participation Program are presented
in Chapter 8. This chapter also includes a list of nearly
fifty Scenic Highway Committee presentations given to schools, Chambers of Commerce, civic
groups and neighborhood associations.
Appendix C shows a timeline of CAG activities since 1995 and also contains samples of news-
letters and mail outs. This appendix includes the Scenic Highway Brochure distributed by Sce-
nic Highway Committee members whenever they speak or attend meetings about the scenic
highway designation or the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail project and information gath-
ered at nine public workshops held between September 1998 and November 2000.
Universal Criteria #9
Strong 'ocal support must be demonstrated.
The Monroe County Commission, the Cities of Key West, Layton, and Marathon, and Islama-
rada, Village of Islands, have all adopted resolutions in support of the corridor designation, The
City of Key Colony Beach has not adopted a resolution yet, but the mayor attended the March
28, 2001 meeting to discuss the CMP and is supportive of the designation effort. Over 30 letters
of support have been received from
Keys residents, business owners, or-
ganizations, governmental agencies.
Local support for the Florida Keys
Scenic Highway is discussed in Chap-
ter 8. Copies of these re in Appendix
D.
Appendix D demonstrates local sup-
port for the corridor designation, in-
cluding resolutions and letters of sup-
port as well as copies of newspaper Public Forum. November 2000
articles published since October 2,
1996 relating to the designation of US
l/AIA as a Florida Scenic Highway.
Page 15
Chapter 4
Universal Criteria # I 0
A Corridor Management Plan must be developed with the endorsement of local
governments,
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan has been developed with the en-
dorsement of the local governments with jurisdiction within the corridor (Monroe County, City
of Key West, City of Layton, City of Marathon, Islamorada, Village ofIslands) pursuant to
Florida Scenic Highway Program requirements. The small Key Colony Beach local govern-
ment is undergoing a complete reorganization; however, they have been supportive of the desig-
nation and expect to endorse it in the near future.
RESOURCE SPECIFIC CRITERIA
With its outstanding cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, natural and scenic resources,
the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor more than fulfills the Florida Scenic Highway Pro-
gram's criteria of containing at least one listed intrinsic resource. This section identifies the re-
sources that meet the specific criteria required to show the significant, exceptional or distinctive
features of the resource.
Summary of Intrinsic Resources
Cultural Resources Conch Culture
Bahamian Culture
Cuban Culture
Historical Resources Carysfort Lighthouse
Bat Tower
Long Key Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda Bridge
Fort Jefferson National Monument
Key West Historic District - 130 blocks
Many local historic sites in the Keys such as the Tavernier His-
toric District
Archaeological Resources Rock Mound Archaeological Site
Indian Key Historic State Park
San Jose Shipwreck Site
Recreational Resources John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Bahia Honda State Park
Long Key State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Natural Resources Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary
Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary
Flagler Quarry
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Scenic Resources Wetland Habitats within Keys- Mangrove forests, transitional
wetlands, salt ponds, beaches and freshwater ponds and wet-
lands. Panoramic views of open expanses of water - the Atlantic
Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico
Page 16
Cultural Resources
The ..Conch" Culture
The grand Queen Conch shell with its glossy pink flaring lip is a symbol of the Florida Keys. In
the earliest history of the settlement of the Keys, the Queen Conch was in abundant supply and
easily harvested in the shallow waters along the shoreline. The meat of the Queen Conch was
considered a staple food, and the shell was used for tools, horns, and in the production of pottery,
cement, and whitewash. More recently, tourism created increased demand for
conch shells and meat. This, coupled with more efficient gathering, resulted in
the eventual depletion ofthe conch supply. In 1985, the taking of conch was
prohibited in hopes it would make a comeback. Currently, the conch shells
and meat sold in the Keys are imported legally from other countries.
The "Conchs," early settlers of the Keys and their descendants, were unique
individuals who possessed a hardy determination to conquer, profit from, and
prosper in the true wilderness they found in the Keys. They apparently shared
some special characteristics:
a love and respect for the sea; Mallory Square Merchant
an entrepreneurial spirit producing cigar makers, pineapple plantation owners, turtle catch-
ers, charcoal burners, spongers, fishermen, and farmers;
a deeply religious faith evidenced by the numerous churches built and rebuilt;
a rogue or maverick nature;
a belief that the natural resources of the Keys were destined to be used for their personal
gain, often resulting in their depletion; and
a tough constitution to endure the hardships, mosquitoes, heat, hurricanes, isolation, lack of
fresh water, medical supplies, communication, easy transportation, and formal education.
Over time, the conch's prominence in Keys culture has produced terms in the
local vernacular such as "conch" (referring to a person born and bred in the
Keys), "conch house," "conch cuisine," and the Keys being fondly referred to
as the "Conch Republic."
.
.
.
.
.
.
To meet the challenges of the environment, traditional Keys archi-
tecture or "conch-style" houses evolved as skilled carpenters and
shipbuilders adapted New-England style home designs for subtropi-
calliving, Aspects of a "conch house" that appear quaint to the
outsider usually serve a functional purpose for keeping the house
cool, airy, or dry. These include high, peaked tin roofs; wide
porches; functional shutters; and double hung windows. The gin-
gerbread trim that adorns "conch houses" is the individual signature
of each house, owner, and carpenter.
The spirit of the "Conchs" thrives in the subtropical environment.
It is evidenced by the residents who appreciate their unique sur- Conch Republic Flag
roundings and find ways to support themselves utilizing it.
Page 17
Chapter 4
Bahamian Culture
The early black settlers in Key West were mostly from the Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, and the states
of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. They arrived by boat either as slaves or as free-
men working aboard, They settled around what are now Emma and Fort Streets in Key West.
..... ~ ,>," As the number of people on Key West increased, small stores were
established by black residents along Petronia from Simonton to Emma
Streets. When the cigar industry was in its heyday, black and Cuban
settlers became the best cigar makers around, Over the years, the
black community has taken steps to preserve the houses and busi-
nesses within "Bahama Village" and to highlight the arts, crafts and
foods of their culture at festivals, restaurants, shops and special cele-
brations.
The Bahama Conch Community Land Trust (BCCLT) of Key West,
Inc. was established as an essential strategy in the 1995 Bahama Vil-
lage Preservation Plan to help the community become the beneficiary
of change instead of a victim. Its primary purpose is to minimize dis-
placement of residents by providing affordable housing on land in the
historic community of Bahama Village, The BCCL T supports the de-
velopment of local businesses, provides affordable housing and pro-
motes community empowerment.
Bahama Village, Key West
Cuban Culture
The first Cubans to arrive in the Keys were fishermen who appeared a hundred years before there
was a permanent settlement at Key West. Most of the first Cuban immigrants to Key West were
cigar makers who came to work at a small cigar factory established in
1831. The cigar industry eventually employed thousands of Cuban im-
migrants and created a Cuban community that remains to this day.
Many examples ofthese old cigar factories and housing for cigar work-
ers remain in use for business and residential purposes. Although cigar
making died out as a large-scale industry, hand-rolled cigars have made
a comeback in recent years and Key West is proud to offer a wide vari-
ety for visitors and residents. The many Cuban-Americans that have
contributed significantly to the political, economic and cultural growth
of Key West and the Keys are numerous and their language, music,
dance and food continue to give a special flavor to Keys life.
Historical/Archaeological Resources
The historic and archaeological resources within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway corridor
(shown on the following page) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ar-
chaeological resources are certified in writing as suitable for visitation by the State Archaeolo-
gist, The Monroe County Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc., has identified another
145 sites throughout the Keys that are eligible for listing under the guidelines adopted by the Di-
vision of Historical Resources of the Florida Department of State.
Page 18
Monroe County Sites Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Within or Accessible to the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Site Location
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Key Largo
Rock Mound Archaeological Site Key Largo
Indian Key Historic State Park Indian Key
Carysfort Lighthouse East of Key Largo
San Jose Shipwreck Site Southeast of Plantation Key
Bat Tower Sugarloaf Key
Overseas Highway and Railroad Bridges Long Key Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda Bridge
Sand Key Lighthouse East of Key West
Fort Jefferson National Monument Dry T ortugas
Pigeon Key West of Marathon
Key West Historic District 130 blocks, from Emma Street to Eisenhower Street, and
from Front Street to Reynolds Street
Note: Does not indude specific structures in Key West
Historic Resources
The history of the Florida Keys is written in the seas, wind and heat-it's an environment where
natural resources, although abundant, were often transient as the result of human or natural inter-
vention. Tenacity and perseverance were requisites for anyone choosing to call the Keys home.
Loss of lives and fortunes has been a recurrent theme throughout the history of the Keys. Over
time, inhabitants of the Keys were alternately blessed and cursed by the subtropical environment.
In 1513, Ponce de Leon "discovered" (native Americans had been there for many years) the Keys
and named them "Los Martires." He stopped at an island the natives called "Matanca," the first
name for Indian Key. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Spanish ships traveled the Straits of
Florida en route to Spain, often laden with incredible riches and supplies. Spain lost vast treasure
fleets to hurricanes in 1622, and again in 1733. The reef also took its toll in lives and fortunes.
By the 18th century, increased contact with Spain brought enslavement, deportation, and disease
to the Keys indigenous peoples that significantly reduced their numbers. Thereafter, Cuban and
Bahamian ships visited the Keys to fish, salvage wrecks, hunt turtles, and obtain hardwood tim-
ber. In 1763, the Keys became an English Territory, and the last of the Keys native Americans
were taken to Cuba by the departing Spaniards.
In 1784, Spain again took possession of the Keys and held it until 1821, when it ceded Florida to
the United States. The following year, Lt. Matthew Perry established U.S. presence in Key West,
the southernmost point in the U.S., at the intersection of South and Whitehead Streets.
Page 19
Chapter 4
An American settlement soon followed and Commodore Porter established a base at Key West in
an effort to curb piracy. In 1824, the first settlement of Indian Key began and in 1836, Indian
Key became the seat of a new county called Dade. Superior Court was held in the new court-
house on Indian Key.
In 1836, the Second Seminole War began, and Seminole war parties menaced
the upper Keys. In 1840, the Seminoles raided Indian Key, burned the settle-
ment, and killed world-renowned botanist Dr. Henry Perrine. The Second
Seminole War ended in 1842, In 1845, Florida became the 27th state and
construction began on Ft. Zachary Taylor and Ft. Jefferson. The following
year, a severe hurricane destroyed the Sand Key and Key West lighthouses,
along with many ships.
< In 1849, the sponging industry began and the 1850's saw Key West become a
major port on the Gulf-East Coast-Caribbean route. But in 1859, a devastating
fire destroyed much of Key West. During the Civil War, Capt. Brannan secured
Ft. Taylor, and kept Key West in the Union, making it the headquarters for the
Eastern Gulf Blockading Squadron. West and East Martello Towers were two
satellite fortifications built to supplement Ft. Zachary Taylor during the Civil
War; however, the towers never saw action.
The Navy owned the properties until 1944, when they were donated to Monroe
County. The West Martello Tower is maintained as a ruin and operated as the Joe Allen Garden Cen-
ter by the Key West Garden Club. The second fortification, the East Martello Tower was converted
for use as the Key West Art and Historical Society Museum in 1950. The brick structure includes
arched casement batteries to the sea, a center tower, galleries, and a rectangular citadel.
Following the Civil War, the fITst major cigar factory opened in Key West, and many refugees contrib-
uted to the expansion of the industry. The first telegraph cable to Cuba was completed in 1869. The
Western Union Cable Hut can be found on South Street near Whitehead Street in Key West, During
the 1880's, the cigar industry peaked in Key West, as did the pineapple industry in the Upper Keys.
The second devastating fire to hit Key West occurred in 1886, but by 1890, Key West was the
largest and wealthiest city in Florida, having 18,940 residents. The Southernmost House, located
at 1401 Duval Street is a prime example of the era. This Queen Anne structure was built at a cost
of about $250,000 by attorney J. Vining Harris and Florida Curry Harris, the youngest daughter
of Florida's first millionaire, William Curry. The building, dedicated on New Year's Eve 1899,
took nearly four years to complete. The Key West Historic District, with more then 2,600 struc-
tures, dates from this period and contains one of the largest collections of frame buildings in the
U.S. These structures, in the district near the terminus of US 1 at Whitehead Street, include nu-
merous museums associated with some of the city's most famous residents such as President
Harry S. Truman, author Ernest Hemingway, and naturalist John James Audubon,
The dawn of a new century brought increased optimism. Wanting a deep water port for his rail-
way, Henry Flagler decided in 1904 to extend the railroad he had built down Florida's East Coast
to Key West. In 1906, a severe hurricane heavily damaged the railroad under construction and
caused great loss of life. By 1908, the railroad reached Marathon. One obstacle was the seven-
mile water gap between Knights' Key and Little Duck Key. The resulting "Eighth Wonder of the
World," the Seven Mile Bridge (MM 40-47), took four years to complete and is the longest seg-
mented bridge in the world.
Page 20
In 1912, Henry Flagler and hundreds of workmen prevailed when the Overseas Railroad was
completed to Key West. Notably, the railroad's most precious cargo was fresh water. At the
southern terminus of the railroad, Henry Flagler built the Casa Marina Hotel, at 1500 Reynolds
Street. This magnificent building has been restored
several times and is maintained as a premier luxury
resort
World War I stimulated a rapid buildup of naval
forces and facilities in Key West. In 1919, the first
commercial overseas flights from the U.S. to a for-
eign country were initiated from Key West to Ha-
vana. The old building that housed the airline is now
a restaurant. The Coral Rock House, at 1401 Rey-
nolds Street, was built in 1909 out of native coral
rock by R. W, Harrison and his son William. This
unique house withstood both the 1910 and 1919 hur-
ricanes. It is perhaps the fITst stilt house in the Keys,
with the main floor elevated above a series of arches Grand Opening of Railroad. 19 I 2
on the ground floor.
The Depression brought hard times to Key West. More hardship followed in 1935, when the dev-
astating Labor Day Hurricane roared ashore in Islamorada, Village of Islands, destroying the rail-
road and killing an estimated 500 people. This hurricane created the highest tidal surge in Flor-
ida history and the lowest barometric pressure reading recorded in the Western Hemisphere. The
descendants of the Pinders, Parkers, and Russells, Conch fami-
lies who had been the original settlers of Upper Matecumbe Key
and who endured so much, felt the brunt of the storm. The Rus-
sell family was particularly hard hit, losing more than 50 mem-
bers oftheir clan. The Russell Family Cemetery (MM 82) in-
cluded a Methodist church, until it was swept away by the storm,
but a statue of an angel survived.
The Tavernier Methodist Church (MM 92) was built shortly after
the hurricane to replace the ca.1886 structure lost in the storm. It
served as a church until 1959, when it became a Masonic Lodge.
In 1981, the building was moved to its present site to save it
from demolition. The Islamorada, Village ofIslands Library
(MM 81.5) was built by the Red Cross after the storm. This
poured concrete edifice includes WP A murals and served ini-
tially as a schoolhouse. A tribute to the victims of the storm, the
Hurricane Monument (MM 81.5), was fashioned oflocally quar-
ried coral rock as a Florida Division of the Federal Arts Project
and constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WP A).
It consists of a memorial shaft with a bas-relief inset, a sculp-
tured tidal wave and palms. It was created by Harold Lawson
and executed by Lampert Bemlemans.
:_-,
.....
~~
~~
- .,~~'
~"
. .
.~. .' -.:.4 ,..,
· A '---I1;.'_ ~-:
Hurricane Monument. Islamorada
Page 21
Chapter 4
Tavernier Hotel
The Tavernier Hotel Historic District represents Depres-
sion-era construction in the Keys. It consists of a four-
building complex constructed by H. S. MacKenzie.
Harry's Tea Room, at 91861 Overseas Highway, is the
earliest of the complex. This pre-I928 structure served
as a restaurant for customers and MacKenzie's employ-
ees. The Tavern Store/Copper Kettle, at 91875 Overseas
Highway, was the second building constructed and
served as a theater and store before being converted to a
restaurant. Tavernier Hotel, at 91865 Overseas Highway,
started out as a theater, prior to the 1935 hurricane. The
concrete block walls survived the storm, and it became a
shelter used by the Red Cross and the National Guard.
At the end of the decade, it fulfilled its original mission
as a theater, a short-lived use prior to conversion during
W. W.II to its current hotel function.
The Standard Oil Gas Station, at 91871 Overseas Highway, represents one of the earliest remind-
ers that the auto was welcomed in the islands, being built shortly after the hurricane as the Over-
seas Railroad was replaced by the Overseas Highway, The Merlin Albury House, located at
91731 Overseas Highway, was built in the 1920's by the son of one of Tavernier's founders, who
served as Tavernier's first postmaster from 1916-1926. During the 1935 Hurricane, the house
was lifted off its foundation and transported southwestward. It was recovered and returned to its
original location, where it remained until 1984, when it was moved to its present site.
The Labor Day Hurricane caused the demise of the railroad. Most of the tracks and roadbeds were de-
stroyed in the upper Keys. Since the railroad had not proved profitable, and with the railroad virtually
obliterated, the Overseas Railroad right-of-way and bridges were sold to become the foundation for the
new Overseas Highway, completed in 1938. The Overseas Railroad Bridge at MM 35 (Bahia Honda
Bridge) was adapted to serve automobiles by welding beams to the
tops of the spans. The steel edifice is 5,055 ft. long and consists of27
through truss spans and nine deck plate girder spans. Though unused
since 1969, it remains a haunting testimonial to Flagler's vision.
.....-
~-_.~llU'
..,....- ...
Long Key Bridge - Then and Now
The Long Key Viaduct (MM 63.5-65.5) was originally composed of
180 concrete arches. As part of the conversion for Overseas Highway
use, the bridge received an additional 42 arches and steel I-beams
were cantilevered from both sides of the 13 ft. wide structure to pr<r
vide two automobile lanes. The only remaining example of a work-
ers' camp from the Florida East Coast Railway and the Overseas
Highway is located on Pigeon Key (MM45) reached via the Old
Seven Mile Bridge. This collection of 15 structures dates from 1912-
1938 and has statewide significance. The island is owned by Monroe
County and under long-term lease to the Pigeon Key Foundation,
which undertook rehabilitation of the buildings and revitalization of
the site as an environmental education center and site for special
events.
Page 22
Archaeological Resources
The earliest sites of inhabitation of the Keys date from the Paleo
(15,000-8,000 B.C.) and Archaic (8,000-2,000 B.C.) periods. Al-
though sites from those times exist, they are not accessible because
sea level has risen 50 ft. and now covers areas of long ago seashore
habitation.
An Indian village site dating back almost 3800 years can be found
on Key Largo. It is a large complex with a habitation mound of
nearly 6 ft., one of the deepest earth mounds in the Keys. Remains
of other village sites exist on SugarloafKey, Big Pine Key, Stock
Island, Windley Key, and Matecumbe Key. Lignumvitae Key is the location of remains of In-
dian burial grounds and village sites, as well as, the coral rock house of W. J. Matheson, a Miami
pioneer. In the Atlantic, about 3/4 mile from the north shore of Lower Matecumbe, archaeologi-
cal excavations indicate aboriginal habitations dating back to 1200 B.C.
Indian Key is operated as a Historic State Park, accessible only by water. The site exhibits evi-
dence of Jacob Housman's early-19th century settlement, which discontinued following a Semi-
nole Indian massacre in 1840. The site includes remnants of buildings and appurtenances, which
have been protected by native vegetation.
Other archaeological remnants can be found in the waters surrounding the Keys, where currents,
hurricanes, and jagged reefs have combined to create a treacherous environment that spelled
maritime disaster for many ships. Wrecks of ships that once proudly flew the flags of Spain,
France, England, Holland and America lost their battles with the elements over a 400-year span.
There are an estimatedlOOO shipwrecks that lie off the Florida Keys. John Pennekamp Coral
Reef State Park (MM 102.5) contains dozens of these shipwrecks, which survive as archaeologi-
cal sites.
Recreational Resources
To many, the Florida Keys are synonymous with "paradise." Indeed the Keys are a recreational
paradise where opportunities for both passive and active recreation abound. From sightseeing
and walking tours that partake of the unique "Conch" architecture and culture of the Keys, to
camping and exploring in the untamed natural environment of the many local, state, and federal
parks, visitors find a broad scope of recreational possibilities unique and unmatched by any other
location in the country.
The recreational resources found within the Florida Keys Sce-
nic Highway Corridor are resource-based and identifiable as
unique recreational facilities that are attractions unto them-
selves. Since water is the dominant force in the Keys, water-
related activities are plentiful. Some of the activities offered
include public beaches, perfect for picnicking, sunbathing, or
swimming; sportfishing; kayaking; canoeing; sailing; water
skiing; scuba diving and snorkeling to name a few.
Kayaking in Key West Area
Page 23
Chapter 4
Two large Florida State Parks found in the Keys epitomize the unique recreational resources
found within the scenic corridor - John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Bahia Honda State
Park.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, in Key Largo, contains a portion ofthe most accessible
living coral reef in the U.S. Along with the coral reef, there are seagrass beds, tropical hardwood
hammocks, and mangrove forests that offer opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, camp-
ing, picnicking, nature study, snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, and underwater
photography,
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park, located south of Marathon, differs
from most of the parks in the Keys by having a rock founda-
tion covered with carbonate sand and large low sand dunes.
Visitors can enjoy fishing, camping, kayaking, sunbathing,
bicycling, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and windsurf-
ing, It is also considered a birdwatcher's paradise since it lies
in an area that attracts sea and shore birds such as the Great
White Heron, Great American Egret, Frigate Bird, Cormo-
rants, and Brown Pelicans just to name a few. It is also a fly-
way for migrating birds at all seasons. Especially spectacular
are the many birds of prey seen at various times including the
American Bald Eagle.
Natural Resources
The natural resources found within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor are viable, indige-
nous functioning resources. They contain features that are relatively unaltered from their original
state and show little or no intrusion by man-made features, Water is the dominant force in the
Keys, painting both landscape and seascape. The type and placement of salt water, fresh water,
and in between, determines the plants and animals that thrive in this subtropical environment.
During the last global warm period, the Sangamon Interglacial, which ended about 100,000 years
ago-- sea level was about 25 ft. higher than today. Reefs flourished off the southern tip of Florida
and were primarily responsible for forming the Florida Keys, which rise to a maximum elevation
of 16 ft. Notably, the Keys contain the only living coral reef adjacent to the continental U.S.
Congress recognized the diversity, the national significance, and the threat to the health of this
one-of-a-kind ecosystem by designating the marine environment surrounding the Florida Keys a
National Marine Sanctuary. The Key Largo and Looe Key National Marine Sanctuaries were es-
tablished in 1975 and 1981 respectively. Those interested in visiting reefs will enjoy John Penne-
kamp Coral Reef State Park (MM 102.5), named after early conserva-
tionist and Miami newspaper editor John D, Pennekamp, which in-
cludes 120 square miles of submerged lands, consisting of coral, bar-
rier reefs, and turtle grass flats.
Flagler Quarry
. A visit to Flagler Quarry on Windley Key (MM 83.5) is a unique ex-
- . perience because it is the only place in the world where geologists and
laymen can stand within a petrified coral reef. Windley Key also has
the distinction of having the highest elevation in the Keys-16 ft. above
sealevel.
Page 24
Many botanical sites are found throughout the Keys. Crane Point Hammock (MM 50) is the set-
ting for the Florida Keys Land and Sea Trust's Museum at Crane Point Hammock. Frances and
Mary Crane, who moved to Marathon in 1949, were ardent conserva-
tionists and horticulturists. Their efforts included preserving the na-
tive hammock and enhancing the grounds they purchased for their
home with exotic trees and shrubs, impacting the natural environment
in a minimal way. The result was the preservation of a part of the
natural history ofthe Keys. Many rare, threatened, and endangered
plants and animals make their home in Key Largo Hammocks Botani-
cal State Park (SR 905). McCoy Indigenous Park, at White Street and
Atlantic Blvd, in Key West, is built on the site of former Navy hous-
ing and is filled with plants indigenous to Key West. Lignumvitae
Key Botanical State Park is a 280-acre botanical laboratory with ex-
traordinary flora and fauna. Key West Botanical Gardens (Stock Is-
land Key West) was established in 1935 as part of the National Fed-
eral Recovery Act.
There are four National Wildlife Refuges in the Keys. In 1908, Key
West National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide habitat for
migratory birds. This site consists of several islands west of Key
West. The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, a collection
of small islands in the Gulfside backcountry, was established in 1938, Wurdemann's Heron, Wild
to provide habitat and protection for these majestic birds. In 1957, the Bird Center, Tavernier
National Key Deer Refuge (MM 29.5-33) was formed to protect the
diminutive Key deer on Big Pine Key and No Name Key. The newest
refuge, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located in North Key Largo (SR 905), was
created to protect the federally endangered American crocodile, along with the endangered Key
Largo cotton mouse, Key Largo wood rat, and the Schaus's swallowtail butterfly.
Page 25
Chapter 4
Scenic Resources
The scenic resources found within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor are striking and
memorable and contribute to the quality of the roadway experience. Scenic views encompass a
variety of landscape characteristics or features that are strikingly picturesque. These include
glimpses of the five wetland habitats found in the Florida Keys--mangrove forests, transitional
",..,.~~ wetlands, salt ponds, beaches and freshwater
, ....' ponds, and wetlands associated with vacant un-
developed land and the local, state and federal
parks, preserves, and sanctuaries, Panoramic
vistas of open expanses of the Atlantic Ocean,
Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico are breath-
taking and reach as far as the eye can see.
View from Bahia Honda State Park
View of Mangroves from US I
View from Key West
Page 26
a
ter
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS
ANALYSIS
The Florida Scenic Highways Program seeks to designate roadways for the protection and pro-
motion of their resources, yet corridor activities must not hinder the purpose of the roadway,
which is to move people and goods in a safe and efficient manner. Therefore, it is essential that
an analysis of the current and future conditions of the road, its right-of-way and adjacent land be
undertaken. Presentation of existing data on roadway and right-of-way physical characteristics,
traffic volumes and levels of service, accident locations and other data make FDOT aware of the
various operational factors that must be considered during designation. This data will assist the
CAG in decision-making about where and how to place corridor amenities,
Opportunities and constraints identified with conditions in the corridor are briefly discussed at
appropriate points throughout this chapter. References will be made to applicable goals, objec-
tives and strategies developed during the corridor planning process (see Chapter 11) that will
guide the implementation of corridor activities and programs.
ROADWAY/RIGHT-OF-WAY DESCRIPTION
The transportation backbone of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor located in Monroe
County, Florida, is SR 5/US 1, most commonly referred to as US 1. For its 106,5 miles extend-
ing in a southwesterly direction from Key Largo to Key West, US 1 serves as Monroe County's
primary vehicular link to the mainland and provides access to the Florida Keys including the in-
corporated municipalities of Islamorada, Village of Islands, Key Colony Beach, Key West,
Layton and Marathon. US 1 is located within a half-mile of Florida Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, or
the Atlantic Ocean along most of its length, and its 41 bridges provide panoramic views of the
water and adjacent keys.
Table 1 in Appendix A presents a detailed mile
marker description of the US 1 roadway right-of-
way, including ROW widths, number oflanes,
median or turn lane treatments, intersecting road-
ways, sidewalkslbike lanes, utility placements,
drainage features and landscaping treatments.
..---. ."
. -4
-or
-',~
-'
-
. -.
i..;~_-i~
...._~;:...
-~7
--..1
...,-. ;:
,,'
/",:'~~~.
"... t- '~~: ,.:~
.,
.,. n 1tl6'$,
It must be noted that the Florida Keys Scenic
Highway Corridor Management Entity will have
to coordinate with the FDOT District 6 Right-of-
Way Office on any acquisition planned or antici-
pated within the corridor that intends to use
FHW A (Title 23) federal funds for any project
phase.
"i"". at ~..
.,., ~ u.'
!lllI~r.' lIi.'o"
.." 11 "l ;~
".,.
",
('lLI-
. .
..-}
--r...... ~ .
Page 27
Chapter 5
Functional Classification
US 1, a state Federal-Aid Primary roadway, is functionally classified by the Florida Department
of Transportation (FDOT) as an urban principal arterial. However, due to the unusual geography
of the Keys, the highway really functions as an arterial, collector and "Main Street" all rolled into
one. The majority of the highway is two lanes, with only about 44 miles of four-laned segments
(on Key Largo, in Marathon, Bahia Honda Key, Boca Chica Key and Stock Island). About 22
miles ofthe two-laned segments offer continuous turn lanes, on Plantation Key, Upper Mate-
cumbe Key and Summer land Key, Figure 2 shows the generalized functional classifications/
number of lanes for US 1 within the scenic highway corridor.
US I Right-of-Way
*- ..:.lo-,,,-,,~,/.._+~..t.~:~~,. =~~.~~, ,'-~_:;;~L,.-,-, \. '
~- ~ '*" _ .:; ~'~ -"'- r: L ~ HI\ A,14 I.J.-' '::-\ /tne$ Sa1nd
, - ~~~1.~~ ".~!~~~;:- --,"') ."-- \,
, UIce" ~"." '=..]' -+ Irb lAke Middle UIce
..,..,.., _ r:t.iB -
-+.FIIn*1go
(~.!./t~; {~f J~1{~)tico
OREATWflE
tERON NA 11()I\W..
WUVE
REFUOE
.i-:f
{)cear;
Figure 2
Functional Classification and Number of Lanes
The US 1 roadway varies in width of right-of-way from 50 feet in Key West to an average 700
feet width on the Seven Mile Bridge segment (mm 40-47). For the most part the right-of-way
width throughout the corridor is over 100 feet; however, this data is misleading due to the fact
that not all of the stated right-of-way width is upland terrain. Some of the right-of-way is made
up of jurisdictional wetlands or submerged lands, reducing the "usable" portion on either side of
the pavement in some situations, Because of the characteristics of the roadway right-of-way, any
activities that occur within its boundaries must be permitted not only by FDOT, but also in some
cases by the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and
the U.S. Coast Guard (for bridge permits). Goals 1 and 2; Objectives 1.2 and 2,2; and Strategi-
esJ.2,1, 1.2.2, 22.2 and 22.3 address right-of-way issues.
Page 28
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANAL YSIS
Signalized Intersections
The majority of the intersections along US 1 are unsignalized; however, most of the major inter-
sections provide turn lanes that offer a level of safety for turns. Within the corridor, ten major in-
tersections are fully signalized, and another nine have flashing operation signals for either emer-
gency or pedestrian use. Table 2 describes the US 1 signalized intersections with full and flashing
operation (excluding Key West),
Table 2
US I Si nalized Intersections
MM Key Intersecting Street
99.6 Key Largo Atlantic Blvd.
90.6 Plantation Sunshine Rd.lPlantation
Key Ave.
89.9 Plantation Woods Ave.lCoral Shores
Key High School
53.7 Fat Deer Key Key Colony Beach
52.6 Marathon 109th St.
52.5 Marathon 107th St.
so. 0 Marathon Sombrero Beach Rd.
30.4 Big Pine Key Key Deer Blvd.
4.6 Stock Island MacDonald Ave.
4.5 Stock Island Cross St
Flashing Operation
Signal Type
MM Key Emergency Ped./FIash
106.4 Key Largo X
104.9 Key Largo X
99.2 Key Largo X
92.0 Plantation Key X
53.3 Vaca Key X
51.7 Vaca Key X
48.8 Vaca Key X
17.0 Lower X
4.9 Stock Island X
Bridges
There are 41 bridges within the US 1 corridor from Key Largo to Key West. Their combined
length is approximately 19 miles, or about 18% of the total length of US 1 in Monroe County.
Most ofthe bridges were replaced in the late 1970's and 1980's and remain limited to two lanes,
with only the Marvin Adams, Vaca Cut, Bahia Honda, Boca Chica, Cow Key Channel, and Salt
Run bridges widened to four lanes. Table 3 in Appendix A describes characteristics of the Keys
Bridges.
Within the US I corridor, 23 old Keys bridges were abandoned in the 1980's. FDOT converted
eight of these bridges into fishing piers, removing some of the spans for safety or navigational rea-
sons, leaving the remaining 15 bridges accessible by foot. In 1997, the Old Keys Bridges Task
Force was appointed in response to public demand to use the Old Keys Bridges. The Task Force
developed recommendations for upkeep and use of the bridges and changes to legislation that
would allow for use as recreational and historical resources. During the 1990's The FDOT com-
pleted transfer of title to the abandoned bridges (with the exception ofa portion of Seven Mile
Bridge between Pigeon Key and Marathon) to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement
Trust Fund, which is staffed by the Division of State Lands in the Department of Environmental
Protection, Goal 1; Objective 1.3; and Strategy 1.3.1 address this issue.
Page 29
Chapter 5
Pedestrian Facilities
Though not yet a continuous system, bike lanes and paths can be found throughout the SR 5/US 1
corridor. Approximately 45 miles of bicycle facilities are available, and plans are being devel-
oped to program the construction for another 25.6 miles, beginning in 2001. Sidewalks are not
widely available, except in the City of Key West and Marathon. Monroe County and several of
its municipalities have identified the need for pedestrian and bicycle fa-
cilities. With the completion of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
(FKOHT) Master Plan in August 2000, the county and municipalities are
in the process of coordinating their existing and future projects with the
projects recommended in the FKOHT Master Plan. All facilities that are
to be constructed within the US 1 right-of-way will require permits from
FOOT and other applicable agencies such as the South Florida Water
Management District, US Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast
Guard. Goals 1 and 2; Objectives 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2; and Strategies 1.3.2,
2.1.1,2.2,1, 2,2.2, and 2.2.3 address this issue.
',;,/~-
Landscaping, Utilities and Drainage
Formal landscaping treatment exists in isolated spots along the SR 5/US 1
corridor, primarily at entrances into large developments/resorts and cer-
tain recreation/conservation sites. For the most part the corridor is bor-
dered by native vegetation, with the ROW so close to the water in some
locations that only a narrow strip of mangroves separates the driver from
the oceanlbay, In any activities planned for the scenic highway corridor,
sensitivity to the native vegetation and its associated wildlife must be a
major goal. Goal 1; Objective 1.1; and Strategies 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 address
this issue.
us I Bike Path at Entrance
to Pennekamp State Park
Electric utility lines can be seen from the corridor at all times. They run parallel to the US 1 cor-
ridor on one side or the other and sometimes on both sides, During late 2000 a number of high-
tension power lines were installed in the right-of-way in the Lower Keys, These massive struc-
tures, some with bases as large as a diameter of four feet and heights of over 100 feet, are incom-
patible with the purposes of the Florida Scenic Highways Program to "protect, maintain, preserve
and enhance" intrinsic resources within a scenic highway corridor. Not only have these power
lines become a part of the image of the "entrance" to the Lower Keys and historic Key West, the
placement of some of them may cause problems with future plans for pedestrian and bicycle fa-
cilities. More coordination needs to occur between FOOT and the utility providers to ensure that
the design and appearance of these structures is compatible with the image of a Florida Scenic
Highway, Goal 1; Objective 1.2; and Strategy 1.1.2 address this issue.
Roadside swales along US 1 have served as primary drainage systems on most of the Keys. Key
Largo, Islamorada, Village of Islands and other urbanized segments of SR 5/US 1 have limited
storm drainage systems. In 1989, as part of a major roadway project in Marathon, the FDOT in-
stalled storm sewer and retention basins adjacent to SR 5/US 1. Stormwater management pro-
jects within the scenic highway corridor need to be compatible and consistent with the Florida
Scenic Highways Program intent to "protect, maintain, preserve and enhance" intrinsic resources.
This consistency will require coordination between the local governments, FOOT, and other
agencies responsible for permitting stormwater management facilities within the corridor. Goal
1; Objective 1.2; and Strategy 1.2.2 address this issue
Page 30
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Roadway Maintenance
The FOOT Marathon Maintenance Unit maintains SR 5/US 1 and the associated vehicular bridge
structures in Monroe County. FOOT's resources include a mobile equipment fleet and man-
power consisting of Department of Corrections officers and inmates who are utilized daily to
perform such functions as litter pick-up, shoulder repair, safety set-ups, mowing and brush con-
trol. FDOT also manages a variety of contracts for mowing, asphalt repair and striping, includ-
ing a power-shearing contract to reduce tree encroachments onto state R-O-W's, The Marathon
Unit also has at its disposal a bridge inspection team out of the District 6 office to assure the
structural integrity of its bridge system, Maintenance activities within the scenic highway corri-
dor need to be compatible and consistent with the Florida Scenic Highways Program intent to
"protect, maintain, preserve and enhance" intrinsic resources, This consistency will require co-
ordination between the local governments and FOOT, Goal 1; Objective 1.1; and Strategy 1.1.1
address this issue.
LAND USE AND ZONING
Due to environmental and transportation system constraints in the Florida Keys, development is
primarily limited to the general confines of existing development patterns, and in unincorporated
Monroe County is based on a competitive performance system that allocates a set amount of
building permits for residential structures. Unincorporated Monroe County residential growth is
capped by dwelling unit limits and much of the development takes place on previously platted
lands, while the non-residential rate of growth is based on the encouragement of infill commer-
cial development in areas already "disturbed" by development. Goal 2; Objective 2.1; and
Strategy 2.1.2 address this issues,
Existing Land Use in the Florida Keys
Figure 3 (Appendix A) depicts the Existing Land Use within the Florida Keys, based on the South-
west Florida Water Management District GIS Map from 1995. The Monroe County Comprehensive
Plan generally describes existing land use quantities in the Florida Keys as follows in Table 4.
Table 4
fxistin Land Use in the Florida Ke s
19,513.7 1,182 1.0 174.5 N1A 20,871.2 30%
1,712.3 79 70.6 2,053.7 N1A 8,032.6 12%
540.6 282 2.6 N1A 2.5 827.7 1%
3,288.7 N1A N1A N1A N1A 3,288.7 5%
41.9 N1A N1A N1A N1A 41.9 <1%
9,601.3 1,189 138.2 652.8 15.8 11,596.9 17%
0.5 N1A N1A N1A N1A 0.5 <1%
20,565.2 562 61.2 548.0 56.1 21,792.5 31%
1,900.1 370 11.4 301.0 10.6 2,592.7 4%
509.8 5 N1A N1A N1A 514.8 <1%
N1A 6 N1A N1A N/A N/A N1A
N1A 121 N1A N1A N1A N1A N1A
57,547.1 3,796 285.0 3,730.0 85.0 69.559.5 100%
Notes:
1) For unincorporated Monroe County the figures are for the Florida Keys portion only and includes acreage for the City of Marathon.
The City of Marathon expects its Comprehensive Plan to be in effect by November 2002,
(2) Unincorporated Monroe County figures do not include water bodies or offshore islands Source: Monroe County Growth Management
Division (less aaes for Islamorada, Village of Islands, as provided by the Village 3/01)
Page 31
Chapter 5
Existing Land Use Within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor includes only the land adjacent to or visible as a
viewshed from US 1 and AlA. Much of the commercial land that exists in the Florida Keys
(including hotels, motels and resort facilities) is located within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Corridor, associated primarily with the urbanized areas and the incorporated municipalities. Very
little land is used for individual single-family residential dwelling units along US 1; however,
there are some areas of platted vacant land that could support additional single-family residential
development. Other land uses found within the corridor are recreation, conservation and vacant
uses.
CURRY HAMMOCK
STATE PARK ~
"... ~
, .
Major Landowners
Ofthe land adjacent to, accessible or visible from US 1, the major land-
owners within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor include local,
state and federal governments and private, non-profit land trusts. This
land is available in the form of parks, preserves and reservations lo-
cated throughout the Keys. Including upland and submerged lands
there are approximately 1,2 million acres under federal jurisdiction in
Monroe County, These are mainly large, resource-based conservation
areas that include environmentally significant marine, wetland and/or
terrestrial habitats.
. ...
,.
.
The State of Florida owns approximately 82,000 acres of land and water
in Monroe County as well as submerged lands in the Atlantic Ocean and
Florida Bay. These areas often contain resource-based recreational op-
portunities such as camping, fishing or boating, Smaller state sites offer
swimming beaches, boat ramps, docks and picnic facilities. Monroe
County owns approximately 500 acres of land, which are not currently
managed or maintained, and approximately 115 acres of recreation
lands.
General Development Patterns
Residential land uses are found on almost all of the 38 Keys that are located along SR 5/US 1.
Residential uses that are located within the corridor include single-family detached homes, town-
houses, condominiums, multi-family apartments, mobile homes and mixed-use residential.
Commercial land uses include industrial, general commercial, commercial fishing and tourist
commercial. General commercial uses are found all along SR 5/US 1 primarily in Key West and
in the more heavily developed Keys such as Key Largo, Marathon and Upper Matecumbe, Com-
mercial fishing is more heavily concentrated in the Lower Keys. Tourist commercial uses such as
hotels and motels, private parks and recreation areas, private campground and recreational vehicle
parks are more heavily concentrated in the Middle and Upper Keys (with the exception of Key
West).
Conservation land uses account for a large percentage of the land area in the Florida Keys. These
lands are primarily located in the Upper and Middle Keys and indicate that the federal and state
governments have been actively acquiring sensitive lands and habitats of rare, threatened and en-
dangered species. This category includes such conservation lands as Crocodile Lake National
Page 32
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Wildlife Refuge, Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, the National Key Deer Refuge and the John
Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Islamorada. Village of Islands Land Use
Islamorada, Village of Islands comprises 18 miles of the
Florida Keys Scenic Highway, with property fronting on
both sides of US 1 located between mile marker 72.658
and mile marker 90.939, from the west end of Channel
Two Bridge to the west end of Tavernier Creek Bridge.
Land uses existing within the corridor are predominantly
tourist commercia~ including hotels, motels, resort facili-
ties, restaurants, and other service commercial activities,
A large concentration of marine commercial uses exist
which contribute to the visual image in the Islamorada,
Village of Islands area. A few private residences are lo-
cated adjacent to US I on both sides ofthe highway. Historic Steamboat House. Islamorada
The City of Key Colony Beach Land Use
The portion ofthe City of Key Colony Beach that lies within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Corridor comprises less than 500 linear feet of property fronting on the south side of US 1 lo-
cated at approximately mile marker 50. Two land uses l'
exist within this US I frontage - business and vacant I ~
parcels zoned for public buildings.
...',,', ~'.', ~- .... J
, . t4 . ,-' .
1 ',:~", ',,'
L., '. .:'
The City of Marathon Land Use
The City of Marathon comprises 12.5 miles of the Florida
Keys Scenic Highway Corridor, with property fronting on
both sides of US 1 located between mile marker 47.5 and
mile marker 60. The majority of the land uses existing
within the corridor include general and service commer-
cialland uses. Many of the larger shopping centers and
franchise stores and restaurants are located in Marathon. The Marathon Airport and its associated
commercial and industrial uses is located within the city. Various governmental offices and main-
tenance yards are also located within the Marathon portion of the Scenic Highway Corridor.
The City of Key West Land Use
The portions ofthe City of Key West that lie within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor
are built-out for the most part, with very little vacant land. The Key West portion ofthe corridor
offers general commercial uses including large shopping centers, as well as a large number of
tourist commercial uses such as hotels, motels, condominiums, resort facilities and restaurants.
A large number of marine commercial facilities are located within the corridor. Very few single-
family residences can be found along US 1 or AlA; however, most of the buildings in the more
historical portions of the corridor are of a residential scale and character.
The City of Layton Land Use
The portion of the City of Layton that lies within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor
comprises parcels located adjacent to US 1 between mile marker 68 and 69. Land uses include
commercial, institutional, vacant commercial, vacant conservation, and recreation.
Page 33
Chapter 5
Future Land UselZoning
Monroe County established generalized future land use categories and their associated densities
and intensities in their Comprehensive Plan to:
a. encourage development on lands which are intrinsically most suitable for development;
b. reduce urban sprawl and encourage a more compact form of development;
c, protect sensitive natural resources; and
d. enhance the character of the community.
For the most part, future land use categories in Monroe County and its municipalities are based
on, or mirror, existing development patterns and zoning classifications; therefore a depiction of
future land use categories in the Keys also describes the generalized existing land use characteris-
tics and zoning categories, Figure 4 (Appendix A) depicts generalized future land use for Monroe
County and its municipalities.
future Development Plans
Because of the competitive nature of the permit al-
location system, it is nearly impossible to project
future development plans for unincorporated Mon-
roe County. Although the Future Land Use Map
provides a basic framework for future patterns, den-
sities, and intensities of land use, the actual amount
of development, based on the critical measure of
carrying capacity, will be much less than indicated
on the map, Actual growth patterns will be deter-
mined entirely by those developments that are suc-
cessful in obtaining permits through the Building
Permit Allocation System. To be successful in this
system, development proposals must compete based
on performance criteria designed explicitly to im-
plement the key public purpose criteria of carrying
capacity, resource protection, and maintenance and
_ enhancement of community character. These crite-
ria are implemented through a point system that
competitively "scores" development proposals
based on their degree of conformance with the in-
tent of the Future Land Use concept. Developments
located and designed so as to provide the greatest public benefit will have the greatest chance of
being permitted in a given year.
~~~.-
~
-.... --
Top: Whale Harbor Inn and Marina, Islamorada
Bottom: Waterfront Residential Neighborhood
Because of the relatively recent incorporation of the municipalities of Islamorada, Village of Is-
lands and the City of Marathon, it is hard to predict future development plans. Islamorada, Vil-
lage oflslands will base future development on its own residential and non-residential building
permit allocation system, along with transferable development rights programs to direct growth
towards infill and redevelopment areas. The City of Marathon has not completed its Comprehen-
sive Plan or Land Development Code; however, it is expected that they will develop similar
methodologies of projecting future development and providing adequate public facilities to sup-
port that development.
Page 34
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
The Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study
The Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study (FKCCS) is being executed by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) to meet the requirements of Rule 28-20.100, Florida Statutes (Florida Ad-
ministrative Weekly, April 12, 1996). The results of this Study, projected to be complete in June
2002, are expected to have widespread impact on the way development will occur throughout the
Keys, Monroe County's Work Program, as amended, indicates that: "..,the County will imple-
ment the carrying capacity study by, among other things, the adoption of all necessary plan
amendments to establish a rate of growth and a set of development standards that ensure that any
and all new development does not exceed the capacity of the county's environment and marine
system to accommodate additional impacts."
The goal of the study is defined as follows: "The carrying capacity analysis shall be designed to
determine the ability of the Florida Keys Ecosystems, and the various segments thereof, to with-
stand all impacts of additional land development activities. The carrying capacity analysis shall
consider aesthetic, socioeconomic (including sustainable tourism), quality of life and community
character issues, including the concentration of population, the amount of open space, diversity of
habitats, and species richness. The analysis shall reflect the interconnected nature of the Florida
Keys' natural systems, but may consider and analyze the carrying capacity of specific islands or
groups of islands and specific habitats, including distinct parts of the Keys' marine ecosystem. "
Anticipated products of the study include:
· Specific study category databases developed with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
capabilities.
. A Carrying Capacity Analysis Model (CCAM),
· A determination of the carrying capacity framework of the Florida Keys.
· Identification and analysis of alternative development scenarios, which are within the car-
rying capacity framework of the Florida Keys, including specific analyses of economic, fis-
cal, and social preference implications.
The USACE and the Florida Department of Community Affairs (FDCA) elaborate on the objec-
tive and scope of the FKCCS (letter to Mr. Richard Grosso, April 17, 2000): "...the FKCCS will
not result in one number that defines the carrying capacity of the Florida Keys, but will provide a
range of scenarios that lie within the carrying capacity framework of the Florida Keys, The carry-
ing capacity framework is defined by the tolerance limits for the natural resources, socioeconomic
preferences and hurricane evacuation. The tolerance limits will be those that are associated with a
healthy and sustainable natural environment, the ability of residents and visitors to evacuate
safely, and locally defined community character and quality of life. "
By early 2001, the FKCCS had completed four main activities that provide input into the prelimi-
nary feasibility assessment: a review of scientific literature on Florida Keys Ecosystems and Spe-
cies, a preliminary evaluation of hardware and software needs for the CCAM, a Users Needs As-
sessment (UNA), and a preliminary development of model relationships.
Results of the Users Needs Assessment Interviews and Workshop
The following section summarizes the main issues of interest raised by the user community dur-
ing the UNA interviews conducted from August 7 through 11,2000.
Page 35
Chapter 5
Village of 'slamorada
General
. The Village of Islamorada wants to remain a place where residents want to live and tourists
want to come, while preserving the resources and character that attracted them to the area.
. As a result of limited-growth and related policy adoption, trends in Islamorada are toward
issuance of fewer residential permits and very limited non-residential permits. Emphasis of
non-residential development activities is on revitalization and redevelopment.
. The focus of planning and regulatory activities is on public facilities, including parks, rec-
reation areas, and other community enhancements,
Planning Priorities/Community Concerns for Islamorada, Village of Islands
. The impact of development in other locations on the character and resources of the Village
of Islamorada.
. Community aesthetics and other quality of life issues.
. The effect of residential conversions, or "knock-downs," on housing affordability. Hurri-
cane evacuation as related to widening of US-1 through Islamorada.
. Implementation of the Stormwater and Wastewater Master Plan and its associated costs.
. Impacts of transient housing and tourism on local housing and natural resources.
. Land acquisition and retirement of development on vacant land.
City of Marathon
General
. Marathon considers itself a true city, serving as a hub to surrounding areas.
. It is initiating its comprehensive planning process through a series of revisions to the
adopted (County) plan, Policies are expected to focus on issues of housing affordability,
transient rentals, and concurrency.
. The City of Marathon sees a lack of and need for an effective, legitimate, flexible regula-
tory framework to encourage development, redevelopment and to increase aesthetic quality.
Planning Priorities and Community Concerns of the City of Marathon
. The growth limitations due to nutrient reduction credits compliance,
. Maximizing mitigation for losses due to road widening.
. Level of service/concurrency constraints. (Wastewater is critical.)
. Hurricane evacuation.
. Mitigation of impacts from the widening of US-I.
. Obsolescence/incompatibility of land uses/redevelopment needs.
. Inadequacy of development standards/consistency and coordination with other agencies.
. Housing affordability (provision of higher quality affordable housing while maintaining
available quantities).
. Aesthetic character and community identity enhancements,
Page 36
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
City of Key Colony Beach
General
· Daily activities are more related to code enforcement, rather than planning. Political and
social context drives planning activities.
· Limited growth is expected based on historic trends and limited vacant land availability.
The City is not subject to Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO), but has issued on average
about 15 new development units per year.
· Limited growth is expected based on historic trends and limited vacant land availability.
The City is not subject to Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO), but has issued on average
about 15 new development units per year.
· A number of local capital improvements and infrastructure upgrades have been recently
pursued.
· The City will initiate its Evaluation Appraisal Report (EAR) process in the next two to
three years, but only modest effort is foreseen.
· A priority of the City is to strengthen relationships with government agencies that provide
support and act as resources to the City, including Monroe County and FDCA. If activities
intensify, planning staff may be hired.
Planning Priorities and Community Concerns of the City of Key Colony Beach
. To provide adequate services and facilities for an aging population.
. Gentrification and affordable housing,
· Future development of City's mixed-use areas (e.g" Causeway).
. Compatibility/quality of infill development.
. Enforcement and regulatory capabilities.
. Water quality degradation.
· Fiscal and economic issues, including land value escalation and housing affordability, as
well as the cost of capital improvements and government operations.
. Transient orientation of new development and redevelopment.
· Growth limitations and concurrency concerns are not a priority for the City based on land
availability, historic rate of growth, and available infrastructure capacity,
City of Layton
General
· Current development within the city is fairly static,
· The City is comprised of approximately 150 parcels, and is near build-out. There are 15
vacant platted lots left, while the future land use designation of one large parcel may be
reconsidered for the purposes of development.
· The permit demand does not exceed the supply (12 per year), with only two to three new
residential permits issued per year, historically.
. An expansion of the park is planned,
· There is very little recent, current, or future planning and regulatory activity in the City of
Layton.
Page 37
Chapter 5
Planning Priorities and Community Concerns of the City of Layton
. Protection of local property rights, maintaining community character, land value escala-
tion, and the availability of affordable labor.
Scenario Considerations from the Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study
(FKCCS)
. No new development or growth
. Maximum growth allowed within current RaGa limits
. Complete build-out within current code limitations
. Additional people with various standards of living
. Identification of developable and non-developable parcels
. Upgrade of all storm-water and wastewater to best possible treatment
. Upgrade of all storm-water and wastewater according to current regulation and no change
. Water quality resulting from various treatment scenarios including no upgrades or limited
upgrades
. Additional development afforded by improved storm-water and wastewater treatment
. Acquisition of all development rights
. Economic impacts of resource protection
. Amount of additional development that can be sustained
. Identify limiting factor(s) for growth
. Cost of limiting growth
. Maintenance of low cost of living
. Best development methods and patterns for environmental protection
. Best conservation land acquisition approach/placement
. Best methods and patterns of commercial development
. "Upstream" and "downstream" effects of activities
. Traffic predictions for various scenarios
. Changes in externalities, such as Florida Bay and Cuba
. Elevation of building level
SIGNAGE
Dolphin. Research Center, Marathon
Both on-premise and off-premise signs presently exist
within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor. On-
premise signs are permitted on US 1 only in commercial,
mixed use/commercial and industrial zoned areas as identi-
fied in the specific local government comprehensive plans,
unless otherwise prohibited by local government land devel-
opment regulations. There is no database that identifies the
number and locations of on-premise signs within the corri-
dor. Appearance, size, spacing requirements, and other
characteristics of permitted on-premise signs are regulated
by local government regulations for properties located along
US 1. New off-premise signs (billboards) are prohibited
within the entire corridor pursuant to local regulations. In
Page 38
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Monroe County, although billboards are not allowed, off-premise advertising signs are permitted
for the purpose of advertising establishments which are not readily visible from US I but which
access US I by an intersecting side street. Appearance, size, spacing requirements, and other
characteristics of permitted on-premise signs are regulated by federal, state and local govern-
ment regulations.
The FDOT database identifies approximately 150 off-premise signs located along US I in the
Florida Keys, primarily in the urbanized areas designated Mixed Use/Commercial on the Mon-
roe County Future Land Use Map. These nonconforming signs are allowed to exist until such
time they fail to be permitted or maintained in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, ordi-
nances, or regulations other than the provision that makes it nonconforming. If a nonconform-
ing billboard is destroyed in Monroe County it may not be replaced. If the state, county or mu-
nicipality wishes to remove a lawful nonconforming sign within the Scenic Highway Corridor,
just compensation must be paid.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG will have to coordinate with the District Outdoor Ad-
vertising Administrator. Once a corridor has been designated as a Florida Scenic Highway, the
Outdoor Advertising Office is precluded from issuing new permits for outdoor advertising signs
within the control zone of the Interstate and National Highway Systems, the Federal-Aid Pri-
mary System, and the State Highway System along the corridor, Following are summaries of
applicable sections of Monroe County and its municipalities' current sign ordinance provisions
for on-:premise signs permitted within the Scenic Highway Corridor:
Monroe County
Monroe County adopted a new sign ordinance in January 1998 (Section 9.5-40 I of the County's
Land Development Regulations), The City of Marathon is still using the County's sign ordi-
nances until it adopts ordinances of its own, The County's sign ordinance requires that noncon-
forming ground-mounted signs come into compliance when the sign needs substantial improve-
ment or when a change in copy is requested for the sign. The County's ordinance allows a maxi-
mum 75 square feet per face for non-residential signs for business with up to 150 linear feet of
frontage along US I; up to 100 square feet per face for businesses with 150' to 300' adjacent to
US I; and up to 200 square feet per face for businesses with over 300' frontage along US 1.
Islamorada. Village of Islands
Ordinance 00-07 of the Islamorada, Village of Islands Code addresses sign regulations. The
Village sign ordinance prohibits: attention-getting devices, abandoned signs, animated signs,
automatic changing signs or electronic message centers, billboards and other off-premise signs,
illegal signs, internally lit signs and off-premise signs, signs on fences, and certain light graphic
signs. Permitted size of commercial signs for businesses that front o~ or are visible from US 1 :
The ordinance allows a total area of wall-mounted signage equal in area to two (2) square feet
times the length of the individual business frontage. This signage may be distributed on the front
and/or sides of the building in which the business is located. The height may not exceed 20'.
Neon copy can be utilized in lieu of other copy for wall signs. However, the use of neon will re-
sult in a 50% reduction in
the wall sign area allowed
under this Section. Neon
outlining is not permitted.
Theaters, museums, audito-
Street Frontage Maximum Area Total
(Linear Feet) Per Sign Signs
1 to 300' 60 sq. ft. One (1)
>300' 50 sq. ft. Two (2)*
Or 110 sq. ft. One (1)
Page 39
Chapter 5
riums and fairgrounds are permitted an additional thirty-two (32) square feet of a changeable
copy, wall-mounted sign. Along the wall adjacent to the ticket windows, a theater may display,
without requiring a sign permit, one (1) poster per screen up to twelve (12) square feet.
One (1) canopy sign per business entrance may be placed underneath, extending downward from
a canopy along the front of a building, to clearly serve the purpose of providing business identifi-
cation for pedestrians provided: the sign does not exceed five (5) square feet per face; the sign is
permanently attached and does not swing; the sign is perpendicular to the facade of the building;
and the sign is located above a walkway, Each business may, in lieu of wall signage, erect an
awning sign, The copy area of the awning sign is limited to an area one (1) times the business
frontage. Single lines of copy are limited to twenty-four (24) inches in height. Multiple lines of
copy may not exceed twelve (12) inches for each line, The lighting must be consistent with the
provisions of this chapter.
The Village has a historic sign designation process to protect nonconforming signs that are over
25 years old and which contribute to the character of the Village,
City of Key Colony Beach
Article X ofthe City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Code regulates signage in the city.
Future Land Use districts located along US 1 within the city include "business" and "public build-
ings." Off-premise signs are prohibited pursuant to Section 101-131 ofthe code. Section 101-
135 regulates on-premise signs for non-residential districts, This section permits one ground sign
per tract frontage on public streets at a maximum height of eight (8) feet and a maximum area of
sixty (60) square feet if the frontage is 200 feet or more and thirty-six (36) square feet if the front-
age is less than 200 feet. One (1) wall sign is permitted per ground floor establishment fronting
on a public street with a maximum area of one (1) square foot per lineal foot of building frontage
and at a maximum height of the top of the facade or wall. Canopy and awning signs are permit-
ted as an alternative to the permitted wall signs.
City of Key West
Article XVI of the City of Key West regulates signage within the city limits. Section 3-16.3
regulates on-premise signs in the Historic Districts, allowing no more than two (2) signs at its lo-
cation unless on a street corner, which allows three (3) signs, restricting flat and facade signs to
ten (10) percent ofthe front of the building facade area and projecting signs to a maximum area
of five (5) square feet. Section 3-16.4 regulates on-premise signs in the Boulevard Appearance
and Boulevard Safety Zones, allowing one facade sign and one freestanding sign per single lot or
parcel, and an additional freestanding sign if the businesses are in a shared occupancy, such as a
shopping center, No single sign surface is permitted to exceed sixty-four (64) square feet in area
and no aggregate sign shall exceed one hundred twenty-eight (128) square feet.
City of Layton
Section 15 of the City of Layton Land Development Regulations regulates signs in the city. At-
tached signs permitted in the commercial districts may not exceed ten percent ofthe total surface
area of the side of the building to which the sign is attached or exceed 24 square feet in total sur-
face area except that buildings with over thirty linear feet of frontage may add an additional 6
square feet of sign for each 10 linear feet of frontage over the thirty feet. One free-standing sign
per principal building structure is allowed, not to exceed fifty square feet per side; however, the
Page 40
8ACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
City Council may approve an additional ten square feet of sign face for each 10 feet of US llin-
ear frontage beyond the first fifty feet up to a maximum 90 square feet. Additional free-standing
signs are not allowed for individual businesses associated with a principal use structure, except a
parcel containing more than one principal business and having a minimum of 150 feet of US I
frontage may have one additional free-standing sign up to 360 square feet. Freestanding signs
cannot exceed 25 feet in height or extend above the roof of the principal building, whichever is
greater.
SAFETY ISSUES
The FDOT study titled Summary Analysis U.S. I Traffic Accidents, Key West to Florida City,
1984-1988 (1989) reported that accidents and/or fatalities increased during those years in the fol-
lowing segments of US I:
a. Big Coppitt Key to Big Pine Key (mm 10-31)
b. Duck Key to Lower Matecumbe Key (mm61-73)
c. Lower Matecumbe Key to Tavernier (mm 73-91)
d. Key Largo to Dade County Line (mm 106-112)
The study indicates that from 1984 to 1988 these segments accounted for less than 40% of all ac-
cidents on US 1, but more than 50% of all the economic losses, injuries and fatalities.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Accident data, exclusively for US 1 in Monroe County, were obtained from FDOT for use in the
Monroe County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (October 1997), Table 5 contains historical bicycle
and pedestrian accident data for US I for the years 1991 to 1995.
Almost consistently during the five-year period analyzed, bicycle accidents accounted for two-
thirds of the total bicycle and pedestrian accidents on US 1 each of the years. Ofthe accidents
listed in Table 5, accidents that took place at intersections of US 1 ranged from 36% to 59% of
the total bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Another 12% to 27% of the accidents took place at
driveways accessing US I, Very few of the accidents took place on bridges. Most of the acci-
dents took place during the daytime and on dry pavement.
The Monroe County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan included a description of existing deficiencies
in bicycle and pedestrian facilities along US I in the Florida Keys and recommended mitigation
measures. In addition to the recommended mitigation measures, the plan recommended that ad-
ditional efforts be made to educate the public, including residents, children, and visitors, about
the importance of the safe use of the bicycle and pedestrian network. The bicycle and pedestrian
plan describes the Monroe County Bicycle/Pedestrian System Plan Project Prioritization for the
US 1 corridor, including Category I projects (consisting of proposed facilities that provide for
bicycle and pedestrian facilities on at least one side of US 1) and Category 2 projects (consisting
of proposed facilities that would supplement an existing, programmed, or proposed facility by
providing pedestrian facilities on both sides of US 1). Thirteen (13) projects were proposed un-
der Category I, and eighteen (18) under Category 2, A listing of these projects is found in Ap-
pendix A. Goal 2; Objectives 2.1 and 22; and Strategies 2.1.1, 22.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3 and 2.2.4 ad-
dress this issue.
Page 41
Chapter 5
Table 5
Historica' Bicycle and PedestriGn Accident Data
US, in Monroe Cou _ '99'-'995
Year
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Total
Total
709
693
771
716
701
3,590
Total Bike &
Pedestrian
59
51
69
69
39
287*
Pedestrian
18
17
23
20
13
91
Bic cia
41
34
46
49
26
196
Bike &
Pedestrian
7
5
2
4
6
24
Bike &
Pedestrian
58
53
71
62
34
278
An additional 53 accidents (for a tetal c:l340) were located on side streets adjacent to and were influenced by traffic
on US 1 '
TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
Traffic Volumes/User Types
The FDOT operates three permanent counters on US 1 in Monroe County. Station #164 is lo-
cated 200 feet south of CR 905 on Key Largo near mile marker 106, Station 227 is located near
mile marker 30 on Big Pine Key, and Station # 165 is located 200 feet east of the Cow Key
Channel Bridge on Stock Island, In addition to the data from permanent counters, the FDOT pe-
riodically samples traffic volumes at 31 locations in unincorporated Monroe County along US I
and 24 locations in Key West. Data from the FDOT permanent counters on Key Largo and
Stock Island indicate that March is the peak month and October is the low month for traffic at
both ends of the Keys. While March is the peak month, high weekend counts continue from
February through August.
Origin and Destination Characteristics
Origin and destination studies provide a sample "cross-section" of traffic movements, providing
information about who the travelers are, how long their trips are, where their trips begin and end,
and their purpose for making the journey, In Monroe County, the best available data of this type
comes from a survey conducted along US 1 in March and April of 1985. The user profile find-
ings showed that tourists made up about one-quarter of the survey respondents, indicating that
permanent residents are the most significant component of the traffic stream, even during the
peak season. The study reveals an average, all-purpose trip length of 26 miles, or roughly five
times the national average (US DOT, 1978). These long trips can be attributed to the linear ge-
ography of the Keys and the presence of Key West, a major origin and destination, at the end of
the island chain.
Level of Service (LOS)
In February 1991 the Monroe County Commission adopted a policy to raise the LOS standard
for US 1 from LOS D to the FDOT standard of LOS C. A methodology for determining existing
levels of congestion and reserve capacity on US 1 in Monroe County was developed in 1991 by
a cooperative effort among staff from Monroe County, the FDOT, the Florida Department of
Community Affairs, and the County's consultant. The methodology and the corresponding
Page 42
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
analysis results that were based on it were documented in a report titled US 1 Level of Service
Task Force Summary of Final Recommendations (June 21, 1991), The method for determining
congestion and reserve capacity was based on existing measured travel speeds for 24 segments of
US I, A reserve capacity for each segment of the facility and the number of dwelling units that
could be developed based on this reserve capacity was also documented. The methodology is
based on a comparison of measured travel speeds against speed limits during peak season condi-
tions, which responds to driver perception of congestion and delay in uninterrupted flow condi-
tions.
The methodology provides a direct method for estimating the impact of future development on
US I using Level of Service C. The speed-based methodology for determining reserve capacity
on US I takes into account the impact of non-residential development by allocating trips pro-
duced (generated) and attracted by new development onto US I, Residential land uses generate
trips, while non-residential land uses attract trips.
Monroe County has conducted travel time and delay studies of US I on an annual basis since
1991. The annual Arterial Travel Time & Delay studies for Monroe County address two primary
purposes, to monitor the level of service on US I for concurrency management purposes and to
establish an empirical relationship between the volume-based capacities and the speed-based
level of service methodology described above. Figure 6 (Appendix A), from the 2000 US I Ar-
terial Travel Time and Delay Study for Monroe County, Florida, was developed by URS Consult-
ants, Inc" to depict average travel speeds and levels of services for US 1 in Monroe County.
Transportation Planning
Transportation planning for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor is based on the Monroe
County Long-Range Transportation Plan, in coordination with Florida Department of Transport a-
tion (FDOT), District 6, and with all the jurisdictions located along the corridor. Islamorada, Vil-
lage of Islands was not incorporated when the Plan was developed, and does not support the
Plan's recommendation to widen US I throughout the Village limits. Goal 2; Objectives 2.1
and 2.2; and Strategies 2.1.3, 2.2.2 and 2,2.3 address this issue,
There were seven roadway segments contained in the Long-Range Transportation Plan where the
projected Year 2000 peak season daily volumes were anticipated to exceed the Level of Service C
threshold. The Adopted Needs Plan identified the following improvements needed to provide an
acceptable level of service on these segments:
LocJtlon Needs Plan Project
US 1 from MM 4 to MM 4.5 Widen to SIX-lane divided roadway
US 1 from MM 9.2 to MM 20 Widen to four-lane undivided roadway
US 1 from MM 29.5 to MM 33 Construct a center two-way left turn lane
US 1 from MM 80 to MM 90 (see note below) Widen to a four-lane divided roadway
Palm Avenue (Eaton Street to Truman) Widen to a four-lane undivided roadway
Truman Avenue (Palm Avenue to Whitehead) Widen to a four-lane undivided roadway
N. Roosevelt Blvd. (Palm Ave to Kennedy Dr.) Widen to a six-lane divided roadway
Note: Islamorada, Village of Islands does not support the widening of US 1 within the Village limits
Page 43
Chapter 5
The Islamorada, Village of Islands Comprehensive Plan includes several policies that address trans-
portation planning activities on US I within the Scenic Highway Corridor, One policy requests that
FOOT designate US I a "constrained facility" from Mile Marker 72,658 to Mile Marker 90.939
within the Village so that no additional through lanes would be constructed. The reasoning behind
this policy is that there is limited right-of-way through the "heart" ofIslamorada and adding lanes
would negatively affect commercial properties through parking space removal and proximity of
high-speed, high-volume traffic. The Village also worries that increasing the number of lanes on
US I would cause adverse impacts to many federal and/or state-listed endangered species, threat-
ened species, and species of special concern adjacent to existing r-o-w. This area includes Sea Oats
Beach on Lower Matecumbe Key and upland hammocks on Plantation Key.
Other environmental concerns in the Village include increased run-off from greater pervious sur-
'face area and its undesirable impact on water quality, temperature increases resulting from the
additional pavement and a reduction in vegetated cover, Concerns are expressed about adverse
traffic impacts including noise and fumes to adjacent residential subdivisions, residential estates
and commercial establishments created by additional through lanes and increased traffic volumes;
increased potential for vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist collisions due to increased traffic volumes and
speed; increased difficulties executing safe left hand turns due to increased traffic volumes and
speed; and unsafe highway crossing conditions created for all pedestrians, particularly children
and seniors due to increased traffic volumes and speeds. Finally the Village feels that widening
US I would be a contradiction to the values of the Village citizenry and Council as expressed in
the Village Vision and Mission Statement, which recognizes and protects the high quality of life
in the Village. Highway widening would impact the 'sense of place' and unique character created
by the small scale of the Village's 'Main Street.' The growth management implications of high-
way widening on the carrying capacity of the Florida Keys is also a consideration of the Village.
Public Transportation
Mass transit in Monroe County is currently provided by Key West DOT in the form of a fixed
route service oriented to the residents of Key West and Stock Island. Two buses are operated by
PAT A on a fixed route for sixteen (16) hours a day from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, This allows a bus
every hour, On weekdays, two additional buses are added to the service during the morning and
afternoon peak hours to allow a bus every half hour.
Monroe County does not operate a mass transit system, and there are no mass transit terminals,
rights-of-way or exclusive mass transit corridors in the unincorporated county. The Monroe
County Transportation Program (MCTP) operates a paratransit service for the transportation dis-
advantaged. This is a countywide portal-ta-portal service available by appointment and thus does
not operate according to an established route. Offices of the MCTP are located in Key West,
Marathon and Plantation Key, The MCTP operates ten (10) vans and has seven (7) drivers. Ser-
vice is offered eight (8) hours a day but requires twenty-four hour advance notice.
There are several factors that might favor the establishment of a fixed route public transportation
system for Monroe County in the future: I) the population density is increasing; 2) the shape of
the Keys allows most ofthe development to be close to US I; and 3) the marginal price oftransit
is within the tolerable limits expressed by the residents.
Page 44
8ACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANAL YSIS
The Greyhound Bus Company provides regular service for the entire length of the Keys. This
company offers three trips daily up the Keys and three trips daily down the Keys and will pick up
or drop people off anywhere along the way as authorized stops. However, tickets must be pur-
chased at a ticket office at one of the stations in Key West, Big Pine, Marathon and Key Largo.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities
The Monroe County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (October 1997) includes recommendations to
develop a countywide bicycle and pedestrian system plan that provides a continuous bicycle and
pedestrian facility from the Dade County line to the City of Key West. The recommended plan
provides for these facilities on US I segments with high density of development. The plan rec-
ommends that design of all future facilities should comply with the FDOT and AASHTO guide-
lines, wherever possible. Where constrained by reasons beyond human control, such as environ-
mental concerns, and barriers such as existing bridges, the best possible solution should be imple-
mented with safety, cost, and other concerns balanced. Wherever possible the County is planning
to utilize the Old Keys Bridges with continuous spans as bicycle and pedestrian facilities. FDOT,
ISTEA and Monroe County funds have provided bike paths along the route to date, with more
projects in the pipeline. Maps are included in the bicycle and pedestrian plan to depict these rec-
ommendations.
Islamorada, Village ofIslands has adopted a Comprehensive Plan policy to prepare a Village Bi-
cycle and Pedestrian Plan by 2005 that will focus on bicyclist safety, facility continuity and link-
ages to surrounding neighborhoods and recreation areas. The Village has coordinated in the plan-
ning of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan and will continue with this coordi-
nation,
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan
For many years the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Monroe County provided
bike paths throughout the Keys. However, a long-term strategy for the development of an overall
trail from Key Largo to Key West was lacking. As part of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Committee's ongoing work, it
seemed appropriate to assist in the
development of a long-range vi-
sion for the Florida Keys Overseas
Heritage Trail. Traveling along
US I from Key Largo to Key
West, this singular route provides
access to: cultural, archaeological,
historical, scenic, environmental
and recreational resources that are
unique and treasured by residents
and visitors alike. Indeed, feed-
back from the public supported the
concept of a well-planned, devel-
oped and maintained Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail as part of
the scenic experience for US I
travelers.
MILE MARKER 0-20
uu'\.:{)
......-h..... !.'"
..... ""-~ ',.
l.r"II' .tJJt~, H,'rol,
\lI1,,,,),,/ IJ/IJ/Jfr I:rfllr"
~
t.-u'\\..._...
"""'-'^'............
o T..........~.....''''.-4"
. ~........ '"....
(;ulf "r 1/,',\/('"
,H/ulllu' ()('('i111
~'~~~ O~"'N FLORIDA KEYS
en.;: ~j)/~ OVERSEAS HERITAGE TRAIL
" .
L'~'::' -
......., ~ ...........
"""""...........-
I'eI&J.. '-. ........
== ,';'~l 10
Page 45
Chapter 5
Clean Florida Keys (CFK), Inc. applied for and received a small seed grant from the Florida De-
partment of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to develop a draft plan for one small segment of
the trail-Key West to Sugarloaf - MM 00 to MM 20. CFK fonned a partnership among FDEP,
FDOT, Monroe County, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the National Park Service. A draft
plan was then developed utilizing the partnerships and the professional services of Michael De-
sign Associates-specialists in trail design. This draft plan was discussed in two public meetings
and input from the public was incorporated into the revised draft.
Feedback from the public, received at many public meeting and presentations, strongly supports
the concept of collaboration and teamwork. Partnerships are essential if the Florida Scenic High-
ways designation and plans for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail are to become realities.
With the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, government agencies liked the idea of developing
a cooperative vision and the County received matching grants both from FDOT and FDEP to
complete a Trail Master Plan for the entire length ofthe Keys, A second round of six public
meetings were held throughout the Keys in December 1999 and May 2000.
The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) Master Plan was approved in August 2000
and includes recommendations for trail planning, implementation, and management. The Master
Plan provides Monroe County and its planning partners with a unified vision and common goals
to develop a valuable environmental, cultural and economic re-
source. The Master Plan describes eight phases in the imple-
mentation process for the FKOHT: complete existing projects,
install signage on existing trail, develop new trail, establish trail
furnishings in communities, points of interest, identification and
signage of side structures and, where feasible, develop board-
walks in constrained areas and renovate old bridges, The align-
ment of the proposed Florida Keys Florida Keys Overseas Heri-
tage Trail, along with many recommendations for bridge treat-
ments, trailheads, signage, and descriptions of other trail ameni-
ties are found in the Master Plan document, a summary of
which is included in Appendix F.
Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail
Master Plan
After this last round of public meetings, FDEP Recreation and
Parks Division agreed to assume management of the Florida
Keys Overseas Heritage Trail as an addition to its State Park
System - the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail State Park.
In addition, FDOT and FDEP with Monroe County are working
together on plans to create a trailhead at Sunset Park (near
Knight's Key) and to start trail segments on Big Coppitt Key and Grassy Key in 2001. Clean
Florida Keys will also continue to gamer citizen feedback to make the planning and development
of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail an integral part of future planning for the Florida
Keys Scenic Highway,
Roadway Improvements
The District 6 FDOT is responsible for maintaining and improving state roads in Miami-Dade and
Monroe Counties through its Five-Year Transportation Plan, which is updated annually and pro-
vides a schedule of major roadway improvements. Funding for these improvements comes from
fuel taxes, vehicle license fees, federal aid, and occasionally from bond sales.
Page 46
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Projects included in the FOOT District 6 Five-Year Transportation Plan for fiscal years 2000-2004
that might impact the Florida Keys Scenic Highway include bridge repair and construction, adding
travel lanes and turn lanes, construction of bike paths, landscaping, paving shoulders, installing traf-
fic signals, and intersection improvements, These projects are listed in Table 6 in Appendix A. Fig-
ure 7 (also in Appendix A) depicts the location of the projects identified in the table.
The Monroe County Public Works Department coordinates some aspects of the operation and
maintenance of US I in the Keys. In addition to adjusting the signal timing along US I, the
County Public Works Department currently maintains many of the bikeways along US I, street-
lights, some landscaping, information signs and rest stops, such as Veterans Park.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONDITIONS
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor is a beautiful, unique roadway that links the series of
islands that make up the Florida Keys. The highway is recognized for its striking vistas of the
Atlantic Ocean on one side and various bays and sounds on the other side, with all the associated
vegetation and wildlife associated with these water resources. In addition to its unique environ-
mental resources, the Florida Keys enjoy distinctive social and cultural characteristics that are
alone worth a trip along the Florida Keys Scenic Highway. This section will briefly describe the
environmental, social and cultural resources and analyze the condition of each, Goals 1 and 4;
Objectives 1,1, 1.2 and 4,1; and Strategies 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.2,1, and 4.1,3 to 4.1.5 address this
issue,
Environmental Conditions
Wetlands
The biological communities of the Florida Keys include five wetland types, which provide impor-
tant storm protection, water quality protection, and wildlife habitat functions. These wetland
communities include:
I. Mangrove forests along the shorelines of the Keys;
2. Transitional wetlands lying landward of the mangrove fringe and seaward of upland com-
munities;
3. Salt ponds occupying shallow enclosed basins having very restricted tidal influence;
4. Beaches; and
5. Small freshwater wetlands and freshwater ponds in areas of freshwater lenses in the
Lower Keys.
"Disturbed wetlands" occur throughout the Keys. In the Keys, disturbed wetlands are generally
wetlands that were originally characterized by salt marsh and buttonwood, or mangroves. Gener-
ally, wetlands permitting activity is greatest within areas of previous alteration. During the
"subdivision boom" of the 1940's and 1950's, an unknown amount of Florida Keys wetlands and
submerged lands were lost to dredge and fill in the creation of new subdivisions. Since that time,
the vacant lots in many of these subdivisions have begun to succeed back to some type of wetland
community. The degree to which the wetland types have been altered has had an effect on the
functional value of each, Functional or habitat analysis has never been performed for the Keys'
wetlands.
Page 47
Chapter 5
Mangrove Communities
Mangroves are a pan-tropical species, occurring on 75% of the world's tropical coastline. In Flor-
ida, the largest mangrove forests (90%) are located in Lee, Collier, Dade and Monroe Counties.
~' Monroe County encompasses approximately 234,000 acres of man-
~-~.+"~:, . 'J' #0.' groves, the majority lying within the boundaries of Everglades Na-
" "_~'., ' ~ ~ ~ i tional Park and the small islands in Florida Bay. Three species of
,,' ': " ' mangroves occur: 1) Red Mangrove; 2) Black Mangrove; and 3)
White Mangrove.
Until 1975, mangroves in the Florida Keys were filled routinely for
purposes of providing dry land for development. In 1986, Monroe
County adopted its current Land Development Regulations, which
effectively stopped such activities. Pollution problems and other
concerns related to mangroves include:
Mangrove Creek,
Curry Hammock State Park
.
. problems related to mangrove trimming by private landowners;
problems related to removal of fringing shoreline mangroves for construction of shoreline
structures, particularly docks; and
problems related to water quality deterioration in the nearshore environment as a result of
existing population levels and practices.
.
Transitional Wetlands
Salt marsh and buttonwood wetlands are tidally influenced transitional wetlands that lie landward
of the mangrove fringe and seaward of the upland community. Salt marshes are the lower transi-
tional wetlands, and buttonwood associations are generally higher transitional wetlands, occurring
between the salt marshes and the high upland habitats. In the Lower Keys the broadest expanse
of transitional zones occurs, On Sugarloaf, Cudjoe, Big Torch, Little Torch and on a number of
other Keys, transitional zones occupy hundreds of feet in width. By comparison, in the Middle
and Upper Keys, the transitional zone is quite narrow, with hammock often found within a short
horizontal distance from the high water mark.
As of 1990, the Florida Keys were estimated to have approxi-
mately 6,500 acres of undisturbed salt marsh and button-
woods. Of these, approximately 2,000 acres are owned by
state and federal agencies and 4,500 acres are privately
owned. There is an undocumented area of salt marsh and but-
tonwood wetland which has been disturbed by human activi-
ties such as placement of dredge spoils, clearing of vegeta-
tion, impoundments, drainage of surface waters, blockage of
surface drainage, restriction of tidal circulation, introduction
of invasive plants, and dredging.
Golden Orb Trail. Long Key State Park Placement offill for residential development, accessory struc-
tures, and accessways is the primary source of pollution in salt
marsh and buttonwood wetlands in the Keys. Close proximity of developed land to salt marshes tends
to adversely affect perimeter areas of the wetland. Due to ease of access many areas of salt marsh and
buttonwood wetlands also suffer disturbance from off-road vehicles and heavy equipment.
Page 48
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANAL YSIS
Salt Ponds
Salt ponds are remnants of former open water areas
that have been cut off from tidal connection by
storm-built berms or man-made structures. This re-
sults in a shallow impoundment, which receives salt-
water during intense storm events and rainwater on a
regular, seasonal basis. Salt ponds occur throughout
the Keys and range in size from less than one acre to
tens of acres. The best known are located in Key
West, Cudjoe Key, Little Torch Key and Long Key.
Seasonally variable water depths range from 2 feet
to occasionally dry in the late spring.
.. l( ~
. I c'L'il '"
J, .;.."':t,;
Salt Pond. Wild Bird Center. Tavernier
Until around 1985, salt ponds in the Keys were filled
routinely for purposes of providing dry land for de-
velopment. Pollution problems and other concerns
related to salt ponds that remain today include illegal dumping and disruptive activities at the
fringe of salt ponds caused by the proximity to developed land uses.
Freshwater Wetlands
In areas on several larger Keys freshwater infiltrating from the surface enters the groundwater ta-
ble and forms freshwater lenses. The size of these lenses is controlled by rainfall, freshwater dis-
charge, response to tidal fluctuations, proximity to saltwater bodies, permeability of the subsur-
face materials, and elevation of the island above sea level. Freshwater lenses in the Keys occur
on Key West, Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, No Name Key, Ramrod Key and SugarloafKey.
Until around 1986 salt ponds in the Keys were filled routinely for purposes of providing dry land
for development. Some were used as borrow pits or for limestone mining. Pollution problems
and other concerns related to freshwater wetlands which remain today include illegal dumping,
damage from off-road vehicles, and disruptive activities at the fringe of freshwater wetlands
caused by the proximity to developed land uses.
Beach/Berm Communities
Beach/berm formation in the Florida Keys is relatively
infrequent and is not directly comparable to the broad
coastal strand communities in other areas of the state.
Extensive beach development in many areas is pre-
cluded due to the offshore coral reefs and gently sloping
bottom of Hawk Channel that dispenses oceanic wave
energy. Where beaches and wetlands are not present,
the shoreline is characterized by exposed, pitted and
pinnacled limestone. In the Keys, beaches are typically
15 to 25 feet in width, reaching a maximum width of 60
feet in a few areas, such as on Bahia Honda Key. The
berm is a mound or ridge of unconsolidated sand that is
immediately landward of, and usually parallel to, the
shoreline and beach. The berm is higher in elevation than both the beach and the area landward
of the berm, ranging from slightly above mean high water to more than 7 feet above mean sea
Page 49
Chapter 5
level. Berms in the Keys vary in width from 20 to 200 feet. In some locations berms occur with-
out a beach along the shoreline, instead there is a narrow band of fringing mangroves along the
waterward edge of the berm.
Pollution problems and disturbances related to beachlberm communities in the Keys include the
general loss of beachlberm habitat to developed land uses, clearing of berm vegetation for land
development, establishment of exotic vegetation, beach erosion due to human use and off-road
vehicles, and natural beach erosion,
Upland Vegetation
There are three native upland biological communities in the Florida Keys - tropical hardwood
hammocks, the climax terrestrial community, and the pinelands community, a fITe-climax system.
Many upland areas in the Keys have experienced disturbance of some kind, which has interfered
with natural succession in upland communities,
~
Upland Vegetation in Big Pine Key
The tropical hardwood hammocks community is probably
the richest in diversity, with approximately 100 species of
wide tropical occurrence present in the Keys and nowhere
else in the continental United States. Hammock communi-
ties occur as isolated stands of hardwoods or "tree is-
lands." These distinct tree islands consist of broadleaved
evergreen hardwood species mainly of a West Indian dis-
tribution and are typically surrounded by pineland or wet-
land vegetative communities that occur in wetter soils. In
the Keys, the natural topographic configuration of the is-
lands, especially in the Upper Keys, has favored develop-
ment of large stands of hardwoods, including Milbark,
Lignumvitae and Princewood.
Impacts that affect hammocks on the Keys are varied and include natural events such as hurri-
canes and fITes. Man-induced impacts include activities such as land clearing, dredging, ditching,
filling, and the introduction of exotic plants, Recovery from the impacts depends on the condi-
tion, size, and amount of surrounding hammocks and wetlands, and the type of development on
adjacent land. Large-scale loss and alteration of hammocks has generally occurred on a larger
scale in the Upper Keys. Many of the remaining large tracts of tropical hardwood hammock
documented by FNAI in the Upper Keys are ranked fair ("C") in quality usually
.' as a result of disturbed edges, fragmentation, and the proliferation of exotic
vegetation typically Brazilian pepper and Australian pine, all resulting from
proximity to development.
Pine lands, or slash pinelands, are fire-climax systems dominated by pine trees.
Although pine lands formerly existed in the Upper Keys, their occurrence in
Monroe County is presently limited to the Lower Keys, primarily on Little Pine
Key, Big Pine Key, No Name Key, Cudjoe Key, SugarloafKey and on
neighboring Keys, Caribbean Pine is the canopy dominant and Silverpalm,
Black-bead and the Keys Thatch Palm are the primary midstory forms.
Upland Vegetation in
Long Key
Impacts that affect pinelands are varied and include natural events such as hur-
ricanes and fITes. Man-induced impacts include activities such as land clearing,
Page 50
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
dredging, ditching, filling, and the introduction of exotic plants. Recovery from the impacts de-
pends on the condition, size, and amount of surrounding pine lands, and the type of development
on adjacent land. Pinelands have adapted to hurricanes and fire, and in fact fires are essential to
the maintenance of pine lands. Since humans discourage fire in the vicinity of habitations, devel-
opment tends secondarily to reduce the extent of pine lands whose perpetuation entails periodic
burning. In the absence of fire, a pineland in the Lower Keys may be replaced by hammock after
about 50 years. In the pinelands of Cudjoe Key there is a hardwood understory while ground
cover species typical of pinelands are absent. The most damaging human impacts on pinelands
occur when clearing destroys them. It is estimated that approximately one-half of the pine lands
present on Big Pine Key in 1935 have been lost to development.
Living Marine Resources
a. Mangrove forests along the shorelines of the
Keys
b. Seagrass beds lying on both sides of the Keys
and extending off-shore to the Florida Reef
Tract
c. Coral communities of nearshore and offshore
waters, including the Florida Reef Tract
Wetlands
a. Transitional wetlands lying landward of the mangrove fringe and seaward of upland com-
munities
b. Beachlberms
c. Salt ponds occupying shallow enclosed basins having very restricted tidal influence
d. Small freshwater wetlands in areas of freshwater lenses in the Lower Keys
Uplands
a. Tropical hardwood hammocks, the climax terrestrial community
b. Pinelands, a fire-climax system
Wildlife
The Florida Keys encompass a variety of ecologically
unique biological communities providing habitat to
diverse wildlife populations, including many species
endemic to the Keys, several of which are globally
rare and endangered. The biological communities of
the Keys include:
,~~
)-
-~
I,.
~b---
fi.h f.u"..
.,..,...~",JltItI,",I."l._'U...
'... ~ HI 'htI --at". '_k olIll"
,-,,..",,," '""tl,,"~ l.....'_ "_
ll'tC'..... tm.1ld .,.,., .... .n.I(*' _or'
0"\""'* .,...~...,,1Iu-<-t,"'''
trPl1in .-.J ~ ..., A "..''"It.. < I
tW\ ..... ~.r_" Irw- "'."".........
_..""..,.....,.... .1'111...." '1'111"'"
~,'
:. 'I '. 'If-
. .~.
.~~
.. '~~~r~~'-"'... ~..li~'
)~~~" '.
~~~ ~,
. .
Interpretive Signs at Pennekamp State Park
The wildlife typically inhabiting the communities described above is detailed in the Monroe
County Comprehensive Plan. Problems and issues related to wildlife in the Keys can be catego-
rized as follows:
Ibdlife
1M tIIIeIIDOk .. . CIIenoe ".
, ..... .... III ... perIo, Son.a are
r '<<l~ J; .Illl.... or IIldaIII _ VI
i.:_......... .... UIny _
r..... , j it......... In the
b.,4lll...... .....
~~~,;.Ji:'lt~t~_"...__.
· destruction or modification of habitat;
· predation and/or destruction of native wildlife populations; and
· direct and indirect disturbance caused by human activities that alter the distribution and
behavior of native wildlife populations.
Page 51
Chapter 5
Threatened and Endanpred Species
Two major focal points exist for the unique forms of vertebrates and plants in the Florida Keys,
Key Largo and Big Pine Key. These are the two largest keys, possessing the greatest diversity
and habitat area. The only extensive perennial freshwater resources for wildlife also characterize
Big Pine Key. The Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Map Atlas includes natural features
maps showing documented sightings, total known range and/or concentrated range within the
Upper, Middle and Lower Keys, for 15 state or federally-designated vertebrates and inverte-
brates.
Those species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S.
FWS), which are known to inhabit the Florida Keys, include the following:
Species Designated as Endangered by the FWS
(common names only)
Atlantic Green Turtle
American Crocodile
Leatherback Turtle
Atlantic Hawksbill Turtle
Kemp's Ridley Turtle
Southern Bald Eagle
WocxJ Stork
Bachman's Warbler
Key Largo Wood Rat
Key Deer
Silver Rice Rat
Key Largo Cotton Mouse
Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit
Aorida Manatee
Schaus' Swallowtail Butterfly
Tree Cactus
Small's Milkpea
Social Conditions
The social environment of the Florida Keys is unique from Key to Key and can be linked to the
proximity of residential areas to commercial services, the density of population, and an enjoyment
of the water-related activities. The character of the Keys changes dramatically from the very
densely populated neighborhoods found within Key West, to suburban communities found on
some of the more populated islands, and to individual home sites on other islands that may have
been handed down through several generations. Some communities (Layton and Key Colony
Beach) are strongly influenced by seasonal visitors and retired or semi-retired persons. The Mara-
thon area is more characteristic of a suburban year-round residential community, as is Cudjoe
Key, with upper, middle and lower-income communities that house the professional and service
employees for the surrounding Keys. Key West is home to both permanent and seasonal visitors,
and has the highest concentration of short-term visitors in the Keys, yet it retains the character of
a "traditional" city, with corner grocery stores, laundromats, restaurants, and bars scattered
throughout the city.
The newly incorporated towns of Marathon and Islamorada, Village ofIslands have yielded close
knit communities where family life is paramount. These towns provide a balance between em-
ployment and housing, with services such as parks, health services, shopping, libraries and
schools. Residents are actively engaged in building community and preserving the integrity of the
Keys environment. Although the more densely populated communities of Key Largo, Tavernier,
Plantation Key and Big Pine Key are not incorporated, the community is as close knit, and resi-
dents express their care and concern about the environment through active participation in creat-
ing their future. Community centers do not exist in more rural locations between Ramrod Key
and Big Coppitt Key, and the intensity of activity is not as great. There are over 100 churches and
temples in the Florida Keys, demonstrating that spiritual practice is a strong part of the Keys so-
cial environment.
Page 52
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Events at the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center located on the campus of The Florida Keys
Community College in Key West, Marathon Community Theatre, Pigeon Key Foundation and
other facilities in the Keys dedicated to the arts offer a level of sophistication essential to any
strong community. The Visual Arts community receives its inspiration from the natural resources
of the Keys and is a strong influence in community activities. Gallery openings and tours are a
weekly occurrence and can be a major event. Just as in the rest of America, fire hall dinners, gal-
lery openings, star parties, flea markets, pet parades and fruit festivals are all places to see and be
seen in the Florida Keys, and they all offer a splendid taste of paradise for those not fortunate
enough to live here.
The local fishing culture in the Keys crosses all ethnic lines and varies
greatly from Islamorada, Village of Islands, the home of world-class
fishing and large luxurious boats to the sustenance fishermen who use
the old Keys bridges and local fishing camps. As in the fishing culture,
there is a sharp contrast and somewhat symbiotic relationship between
local residents and the large seasonal population.
Key West is a city that embraces diversity and is populated by residents
and visitors of different social cultures, ethnic backgrounds and sexual
orientation. There are hundreds of festivals throughout the year that rec-
ognize and celebrate this diversity. In his 1995 manuscript, America,
Charles Kuralt describes Key West as "... the greatest of all the end-of-
the-road towns... full of dreamers, drifters, and dropouts... idlers, bar-
flies, writers and fishermen... painters and pensioners... The residents are
all elaborately tolerant of one another, and that is where the style comes
in. If you wish to be known by your first name only, everybody under-
stands. "
Cultural Conditions
The Florida Keys contain several cultures, including the "Conch" culture found throughout all the
islands and, primarily in Key West, the Bahamian culture and the Cuban culture, the most promi-
nent and cohesive examples of Keys cultures. These cultures are defined by the customary be-
liefs, social forms and material traits of the individual racial, religious or social groups and exem-
plify their set of shared attitudes, values and goals.
The Keys culture can best be categorized by considering the beauty and wonder of the natural en-
vironment that attracts visitors and residents. Nearly continual pleasant weather, sunshine and
abundant marine resources have drawn the traditional Conch Culture, Bahamian and Cuban, as
well as the more recent "Freshwater Conch" influx of the late 1960's and 70's. The overriding
constant is the slower pace and appreciation of the natural environment.
Bahamian Culture
The early Black settlers in Key West were mostly from the Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, and the states
of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. They arrived by boat either as slaves or as free-
men working aboard. They settled around what are now Emma and Fort Streets in Key West. As
the number of people on Key West increased, small stores were established by Black residents
along Petronia from Simonton to Emma Streets. When the cigar industry was in its heyday,
Black and Cuban settlers became the best cigar makers around. Over the years, the Black com-
Page 53
Chapter 5
munity has taken steps to preserve the houses and businesses within "Bahama Village" and to
highlight the arts, crafts and foods of their culture at festivals, restaurants, shops and special cele-
brations.
The Bahama Conch Community Land Trust (BCCL T) of Key West, Inc was established in Key
West as an essential strategy in the 1995 Bahama Village Preservation Plan to help the commu-
nity become the beneficiary of change instead of a victim. Its primary purpose is to minimize dis-
placement of residents by providing affordable housing on land in the historic community of Ba-
hama Village. The BCCL T supports the development of local businesses, provides affordable
housing and promotes community empowerment.
Cuban Culture
The fIrst Cubans to arrive in the Keys were fishermen who appeared a hundred years before there
was a permanent settlement at Key West - and in fact Cubans may have been the first permanent
settlers to arrive after the native Indians. Most of the first Cuban immigrants to Key West were ci-
gar makers who came to work at a small cigar factory established in 1831. The cigar industry even-
tually employed thousands of Cuban immigrants and created a Cuban community that remains to
this day. Many examples of these old cigar factories and housing for cigar workers remain in use
for business and residential purposes. Although cigar making died out as a large-scale industry,
hand-rolled cigars have made a comeback in recent years and Key West is proud to offer a wide
variety for visitors and residents. The many Cuban-Americans that have contributed signifIcantly
to the political, economic and cultural growth of Key West and the Keys are numerous and their
language, music, dance and food continue to give a special flavor to Keys life.
OTHER PROGRAMS
There are numerous management and master plans, studies and designations that are relevant to
the implementation of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CMP. The designations are important
for the publicity and marketing, and the plans and studies complement planning strategies for the
scenic highway. Following is a list of these other programs that should be coordinated in the
CMP.
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
As discussed above, the DEP, Monroe County, City of Key West, Mara-
thon, Islamorada, Village ofIslands, community leaders in the unincor-
porated areas of the county, the Old Keys Bridge Task Force, the Clean
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Committee, FDOT, National Park Service
and the Florida Chapter of the Rails to Trail Conservancy all coordinated
on the development of a Master Plan for the Florida Keys Overseas
Heritage Trail. A conceptual plan for Mile Marker 0- Mile Marker 20
was completed in the fall of 1999, and the final Master Plan document
was completed in August 2000. The trail was proclaimed an official
"Florida Greenway" in 1995. At this time, the trail is being designated as
a unit of the Florida State Parks system under the administration of the
DEP, Division of Recreation and Parks. A Trail Administrator position
was created and filled by the Division in February, 2001. Following the
recommendations of the Master Plan, the Division has begun the process
of planning, designing, constructing and managing the trail and associated facilities
Page 54
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Lawton Chiles Trail'
A section of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway in the Key Largo area is designated as the Lawton
Chiles Trail in honor of the late Governor Lawton Chiles. The designation commemorates the
1,033-mile route Chiles traveled in his 1970 U.S. Senate campaign when he walked from the tiny
Florida Panhandle town of Century to Key Largo.
fast Caast Greenway/Millennium Trail
The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, which will be located within the
Florida Keys Scenic Highway corridor, will be an important segment and the
southernmost point of the East Coast Greenway (ECG). The East Coast
Greenway Alliance (ECGA) is a ten-year-old national advocacy group coordi-
nating the establishment of a 2,600-mile, multi-user trail between Calais,
Maine, and Key West, Florida. The White House designated the ECGA as
one of 16 National Millennium Trails in 1999. As a mostly urban network of
multi-modal, hard-surface trails passing through 15 states and the District of
Columbia, the ECG will link 23 of the eastern seaboard's key cities.
EAST.COAST
GREENWAY
There are now 800 miles of designated ECG in eight states, of which 200
miles are off-road trail. Florida claims only 29 of these miles. In September
2000, the entire countywide trail in Flagler County was designated as were an-
other 10 miles of trail in urban West Palm Beach. In 2001 the plan is to designate 100 or more
miles of trail in Florida, including portions of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. The
ECGA will be asking Governor Bush and Governor Angus King of Maine, to dedicate the two
gateways of the ECG at ceremonies in Key West and Calais on June 2,2001.
~ Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
~,. -?.. In 1990, Senator Bob Graham introduced legislation that established the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in an effort to protect the natural
~ beauty and resources found in the Keys waters. The sanctuary, the second
. ~~ largest in the United States, is made up of2,800 square nautical miles sur-
NA"' IONAI M^RIN~ rounding the Keys. A Marine Sanctuary representative participated in the
SA,",C IlJARIt ~ .. Overseas Heritage Trail master planning process and has offered to work
with the OHT effort on any signage in the corridor.
Old Keys Bridges Task Force
In August 1997, the Old Keys Bridges Task Force was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles in
response to public demand to use the old bridges for pedestrian and recreational activities. The
report that came from the task force included recommendations for upkeep and use of the bridges
and changes to legislation concerning the bridges.
FOOT Old Keys Bridges Structural Study
The FDOT is currently funding a structural study of the Old Keys Bridges. The first phase of this
study - an assessment of the current conditions of the bridges, an identification of the work that
will be needed and a cost assessment - has been completed. This cursory inspection indicated
that all the bridges except for one were considered to be in "good" or "fair" condition.
Page 55
Chapter 5
The inspection indicated that these bridges, and the bridge considered to be in "poor" condition, are
capable of supporting non-motorized pedestrian uses with varying degrees of work. The second
phase of the study, which is expected to be complete in the Summer 2001, will include specific de-
sign work for converting the bridges for pedestrian uses as set forth in recommendations from the
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan. The issue of ongoing maintenance ofthe Keys
Bridges has not been finalized, but discussions between FDEP and FOOT are ongoing.
Livable CommuniKeys Program
The Livable CommuniKeys Program is a local planning initiative conducted by the Monroe
County Planning Department. The program began in October 1999 and will continue for the next
five years in an effort to identify the needs of the Keys' communities. The Planning Department
will provide technical assistance to the citizens and property owners in the unincorporated com-
munities in the Keys. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG will coordinate with Monroe
County throughout this planning effort to ensure continuing feedback from the communities for
scenic highway activities and programs.
\' \ S H MJ 0 tz,-
'?-~ '(-
,'0 0
~ ~~ ~
~ ~'~ m
~ ~v-" l .
., 1/",
,"~' :'\ "",_',/~;"'JI'i,;,., 'zo
",,,.," ..
:; I "'-..:;:;
z. V,
'J. .\-.'
<'" " '"
If'v o~
-q'fON C.
Regional Habitat Conserwrtion Plan for Big Pine and No Name Keys
Because there are several threatened and endangered species inhabiting the Big
Pine and No Name Keys area, a Habitat Conservation Plan is required. The
Plan is an effort to mitigate and compensate for potential negative effects to en-
dangered species caused by development activities. Agencies involved in this
effort include Monroe County, the Florida Department of Community Affairs,
FDOT, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Con-
servation Commission. The Plan is scheduled to be complete in 2001. Activi-
ties within the scenic highway corridor should adhere to the recommendations
from this Plan.
Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study
The Florida Keys were designated by the state of Florida as an Area of Critical Concern in 1975.
Development has continued and increasingly placed stress on the unique ecosystem of the Keys.
The Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study (FKCCS) is being executed by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers to meet the requirements of Rule 28-20.100, Florida Statutes. The goal of the study
is defined as follows:
"The carrying capacity analysis shall be designed to determine the ability of the Florida Keys
Ecosystems, and the various segments thereof, to withstand all impacts of additional land devel-
opment activities. The carrying capacity analysis shall consider aesthetic, socioeconomic
(including sustainable tourism), quality oflife and community character issues, including the
concentration of population, the amount of open space, diversity of habitats, and species richness.
The analysis shall reflect the interconnected nature of the Florida Keys' natural systems, but may
consider and analyze the carrying capacity of specific islands or groups of islands and specific
habitats, including distinct parts of the Keys' marine ecosystem."
Page 56
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ANALYSIS
Anticipated products of the study include:
· Specific study category databases developed with Geographic Information Systems capa-
bilities
· A Carrying Capacity Analysis Model
· A determination of the carrying capacity framework of the Florida Keys
· Identification and analysis of alternative development scenarios, which are within the car-
rying capacity framework of the Florida Keys, including specific analyses of economic,
fiscal, and social preference implications.
Monroe County Plans and Studies
Monroe County completed its Monroe County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 1997. The County
is also in the process of completing a Stormwater Master Plan, a seven year Roadway/Bicycle
Path Plan, and a US 1 turn-lane study.
Islamorada. Village of Islands Plans and Studies
Islamorada, Village of Islands is completing a Corridor Master Plan, the Overseas Highway Cor-
ridor Study. This effort will identify the opportunities and constraints in an effort to enhance the
US I corridor functionally, ecologically, and aesthetically. The project seeks to preserve the
"Keys Character". This study will produce general recommendations and further case studies
will address such issues as traffic conflicts, bike path alignment, landscape techniques and land-
scape palettes, and other similar concerns. Conceptually, the Village is looking at placing a trail
on both sides of US 1 and connecting existing gaps. The Village is also developing a Stormwater
Master Plan, a pilot project for Indian Fill that will include stormwater and landscaping improve-
ments, and a "Hurricane Monument Heritage Trail" is being planned.
City of Marathon Plans and Studies
The City of Marathon submitted a Florida Highway Beautification Council (HBC) grant applica-
tion in January 2001 to develop landscaped entranceways at the outermost points ofthe city. The
design incorporates a theme of historic railroad structures.
In addition, the City has hired a
consultant to conduct a Community
Visioning Process for the newly in-
corporated municipality.
.<-~ ;.;,: Z~i~~; ~~.'-...
;,-'';; ~._~ -', J....... - ~,_.~~
-_..---
- --- --:
-;::~~~
'fo?-;\Y.,~
,
. .~.~
" :;;, -. .'..!.~...ri=~:.:::.;L~~;"'> ;;:-. ' --~'-'
~~ . .~ ---",o'.. ~"
~ :_,,;,~;~~,...~c,.::~'.~ ~. -~'.'~~.~~~---" ....-
1i:"o'~~_,,-,~,____~~-: -. ~f32~~'-+~~~,::-~--~-~ j '"1...~lIo\"'t'.. i(
f.... _ - ~-.:...---
_-,e. -
-,~~~~~"-r-
r: '~",..-.
v-::::-.
.
--
""n I pv.r:)Io~"
-47.
,
'~
. ~_. ~--:~ - - :.'T:,~-:.
- ----
--..---
.-=-
Design for Entrance to Marathon. HBC Grant
Page 57
Chapter 5
Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Study
The Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) funded the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacua-
tion Study for the purpose of developing a methodology to evacuate Florida Keys residents and
visitors in less than 24 hours in the event of a threatening hurricane. Since 1999 a steering com-
mittee, made up of FOOT, the Environmental Protection Agency, local government officials,
Monroe County Emergency Management officials, and interested citizens, has been meeting to
discuss options for reducing hurricane evacuation times in the Keys. The study, expected to be
complete in Summer 2001, will likely include a combination of methods to reduce hurricane
evacuation times such as Transportation System Management procedures, widening of certain
segments of roadways, designation of one-way corridors during an evacuation, and more.
Page 58
a
ter
RELATIONSHIP TO
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
In Florida, local government comprehensive plans are mandated by Chapter 163, Florida Statutes
and serve as the primary mechanism by which the local governments plan for and regulate devel-
opment and land use within their jurisdictions. All proposed development within a local govern-
ment's jurisdiction must demonstrate consistency with the local comprehensive plan. A particu-
lar use is consistent with the comprehensive plan if it is compatible with and furthers the objec-
tives, policies, land uses, and densities or intensities in the comprehensive plan and if it meets all
other criteria enumerated by the local government.
Based on current Florida law and judicial decisions, local government comprehensive plans are
the most comprehensive and defensible means to implement scenic highway corridor manage-
ment plans. For that reason the Florida Scenic Highways Program requires that specific elements
of the CMP be adopted into the comprehensive plans for each local government jurisdiction that
is located within a scenic highway corridor. For the Florida Keys Scenic Highway this means
that elements of the CMP must be included in the comprehensive plans for unincorporated Mon-
roe County and the municipalities of Key West, Key Colony Beach, Marathon, Layton and lsla-
morada, Village oflslands. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway Committee must ensure that the
following three items are incorporated into these six comprehensive plans:
· A map displaying the scenic corridor;
· The Corridor Vision statement; and
· Goals, Objectives and Strategies related to the specific local government.
Each local government may decide how and where to incorporate these and other elements of the
CMP into their comprehensive plans. Following are some locations within a comprehensive plan
that will allow effective implementation of a scenic highway corridor designation:
1. The Community's Vision Statement
2. Comprehensive Plan Elements - Future Land Use,
Transportation, Conservation, Coastal Management,
and Recreation and Open Space
Monroe County and its municipalities have all adopted (or
in the case of and the City of Marathon, are in the process of
developing) Comprehensive Plans pursuant to Chapter 163,
Florida Statutes, containing goals, objectives and policies
relating to future land use, transportation, coastal manage-
ment, conservation, and recreation and open space within
the corridor. Some of the plans include policies that relate
specifically to scenic highway corridors or improvements on
Page 59
Chapter 6
US 1. The same can be said for land development regulations for the jurisdictions located
within the corridor. Excerpts from the comprehensive plans within the corridor that relate to or
specifically address scenic highway activities on US 1 activities are described below.
Monroe County
The Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan includes several policies that specifically
address items related to the development of a scenic highway corridor program as follows:
. Policy 213.1.1 requires that the county perform a public access plan that includes making
provisions for scenic overlook facilities.
. Policy 301.5.1 requires that development along scenic corridors provide the landscaping
and setbacks necessary to minimize impacts on the visual environment.
. Policy 301.5.2 requires that the county take efforts to minimize impacts of signs on the
scenic beauty of Monroe County.
To address results from the Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study, which is ex-
pected to be completed in June 2002, Monroe County's Work Program, as amended,
indicates that" .. . the County will implement the carrying capacity study by, among
other things, the adoption of all necessary plan amendments to establish a rate of
growth and a set of development standards that ensure that any and all new develop-
ment does not exceed the capacity of the county's environment and marine system
to accommodate additional impacts."
City of Key West
The City of Key West Comprehensive Plan includes additional general policies that specifically
address historic preservation, since a portion of US I (Truman Avenue) is located in the historic
district ofthe city.
City of Layton
The City of Layton Comprehensive Plan includes two policies that specifically address items
related to the development ofa scenic highway corridor program as follows:
. Future Land Use Policy 7.c encourages the State and County to establish a tree planting
program in conjunction with bicycle and pedestrian paths along US 1.
. Traffic Circulation Policy l.g states that the City shall maintain the existing bike!
pedestrian path along US I and, when approving developments along US I, shall ensure
that such development does not interfere with the function of the path.
Islamorada, Village of Islands
Islamorada, Village ofIslands includes US 1 as a scenic highway in its
Vision Statement:
The Islamorada, Village of Islands Comprehensive Plan, which was
adopted in January 2001 includes several policies that specifically ad-
dress items related to the preservation and enhancement of the scenic
highway corridor as shown on the following page.
Page 60
RELATIONSHIP TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Reclaiming OUR Keys A Vision Statement
Islamorada, Village of Islands
The citizens of the Village desire to share a vision of our Village in the future.
This is our statement concerning the kind of Village we want in the future and
what we will have done to improve it.
US 1 now serves as a designated scenic highway and gateway to a diverse island culture,
revealing a diverse mix of the rustic old and redeveloped structures that share a unified design con-
sistent with the scale of life on the Village of Islands. Indigenous canopy trees, induding fruit and
flowering trees frame the gateway complemented by drought tolerant landscaping, Islanders are
captivated by the unparalleled beauty of scenic blue waters unencroached by random signs or utility
hardware. The redeveloped Islamorada Town Center is a major focal point and promotes a sense of
community where everyone enjoys tropical island ambiance and the vitality of face to face interac-
tion. Smaller hubs of neighborhood commercial activity or more intense marine related facilities cater
to consumer demands of Village residents, employees and a large tourist market attracted to the
tropical island culture, sports fishing, and eco-tourism. A unique sense of Village of Islands has
emerged - each island different yet clearly a part of the whole,
Transportation Policies
· Policy 2-1.3.13 designates U. S. I a Local Scenic Roadway. To protect the environmentally
sensitive areas, native vegetation and habitat along the u.s. I corridor, within one year of
the effective date of the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Regulations shall be
adopted to address roadside landscaping requirements, storm water management design
standards, tree protection and land clearing best management practices, to enhance the sce-
nic character of the corridor.
· Policy 2-1.3.14 supports the designation of the U.S. 1 Highway Corridor as a Florida State
Scenic Highway and support Federal designation as the only potential All American Road-
way in the United States.
· Policy 2-1.5.3 ensures continuity of the Overseas Heritage Trail within Islamorada, Village
ofIslands and describes coordination with Monroe County, State and Federal agencies to
identify and alleviate discontinuities, and provide amenities and enhancements to the Over-
seas Heritage Trail within the Village, as part ofthe Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan.
Future Land Use Policies
· Policy 1-1.2.2 addresses improvement of the function and form of US 1 and the Old Road
by requiring commercial development to maintain the low intensity, human scale design
characteristic of most commercial development within the Village to create a more pedes-
trian-friendly environment and safely accommodate local traffic.
· Policy 1-1.2.3 addresses enhancing the enhancement of the Old Road by promotion of land
use and transportation strategies that enhance its safe use as a local traffic and pedestrian
friendly corridor. These strategies include use of traffic calming methods, restriction of
through traffic, prohibiting vehicular access to high intensity uses and enhancing pedes-
trian and cyclist facilities, and landscaping.
Page 61
Chapter 6
Page 62
a
ter
PROTECTION TECHNIQUES
The resources found within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway corridor are afforded protection
through Monroe County and its municipalities comprehensive plans and land development regu-
lations, and through the regulations and policies of the local, state and federal agencies having
jurisdiction over land. Acquisition of unique environmental resources has occurred through the
state Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program, the Nature Conservancy, Florida
Communities Trust and the Monroe County Land Authority.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROTECTION TECHNIQUES
Monroe County and its municipalities have all adopted (or in the case ofIslamorada, Village of
Islands and the City of Marathon, are in the process of developing) Comprehensive Plans devel-
oped pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, containing goals, objectives and policies relating
to future land use, transportation, coastal management, conservation, and recreation and open
space within the corridor. Some ofthe plans include policies that relate specifically to scenic
highway corridors or improvements on US 1. The same can be said for land development regula-
tions for the jurisdictions located within the corridor. Excerpts of land development regulations
from jurisdictions that specifically address scenic highway activities or US 1 activities are de-
scribed below.
Monroe County
Section 9.5-376 ofthe Monroe County Land Development Regulations requires that all develop-
ment of any parcel of land which fronts on US 1, and is designated as hammock, mangrove or tran-
sitional habitat and is vegetated with plants native to the Florida Keys shall be developed so that a
scenic corridor buffer is provided in accordance with section 9.5-
378. Any other development ofland fronting on US 1 has to pro-
vide a major street buffer in accordance with section 9.5-378.
The manner in which properties are designed for development
and the need for access to private property make safety along SR
5/US 1 a particular concern in Monroe County and its municipali-
ties. In an effort to limit the number of driveways and curb cuts
along the corridor, Monroe County's current regulations prohibit
the addition of a driveway from US 1 to private property if access
from up to 400' away exists (Section 9.5-421, Land Development
Regulations). Lots that cannot meet the major road access stan-
dard in section 9.5-421 shall take access from platted side streets,
parallel streets or frontage roads.
Page 63
Chapter 7
City of Key West
The City of Key West Comprehensive Plan includes policies that specifically address historic
preservation, since a portion of US I (Truman Avenue) is located in the historic district of the
city.
Several sections of the Key West Land Development
Regulations (LDRs) address items related to enhance-
ment of the US 1/ A I A Corridor and to historic preser-
vation.
Article X - Appearance, Design and Compatibil-
ity - includes regulations relating to site location
and character of use, appearance of site and struc-
tures, protection of historic and archaeological
resources, and open space
Article XI - Environmental Protection - includes
regulations for preservation of wetlands and tran-
sitional wetlands, freshwater lens protection,
wildlife habitat preservation and protection of
flora and fauna.
. Article XIII - Landscaping - includes regulations
for landscaping along street frontages.
. Article XIV - Tree Protection - addresses spe-
cially protected trees, prohibiting the removal on
public or private property without a permit of any
specially protected trees, monocot trees eight feet Key West Restaurant
or more in height, dicot trees 3 Yz or more inches
in diameter, and prohibiting removal without a
permit of any landscaping material planted on public property.
. Article XVI - Signage and Advertising - including specific regulations for Historic Dis-
tricts and for Boulevard Appearance Zones
.
.
~
Key West Lighthouse
City of Layton
The City of Layton Comprehensive Plan includes two policies that specifically address items re-
lated to the development of a scenic highway corridor program as follows:
. Future Land Use Policy 7.c encourages the State and County to establish a tree planting
program in conjunction with bicycle and pedestrian paths along US I.
. Traffic Circulation Policy l.g states that the City shall maintain the existing bike/
pedestrian path along US I and, when approving developments along US I, shall ensure
that such development does not interfere with the function of the path.
Page 64
PROTE TION TECHNIQUES
Islamorada, Village of Islands
The Islamorada, Village of Islands Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in January 200]
includes several policies that specifically address items related to the preservation and enhance-
ment of the scenic highway corridor as follows:
Transportation Policies
· Policy 2-1.3.10 requires adoption of Land Development Regulations, which specify de-
sign standards such as: the interface of vehicles with sidewalks and/or bikeways; ade-
quate storage and turning bays; provision of service roads and parking; spacing and de-
sign of median openings and curb cuts; driveway and parking lot access, spacing and
landscaping; and pedestrian friendly site design.
· Policy 2-] .3.13 designates u.s. I a Local Scenic Roadway. To protect the environmen-
tally sensitive areas, native vegetation and habitat along the u.s. I corridor, within one
year of the effective date of the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Regulations
shall be adopted to address roadside landscaping requirements, stormwater management
design standards, tree protection and land clearing best management practices, to enhance
the scenic character of the corridor.
· Policy 2-1.3.]4: supports the designation of the U.S. ] Highway Corridor as a Florida
State Scenic Highway and support Federal designation as the only potential All American
Roadway in the United States.
· Policy 2-1.5.3 ensures continuity ofthe Overseas Heritage Trail within Islamorada, Vil-
lage ofIslands and describes coordination with Monroe County, State and Federal agen-
cies to identify and alleviate discontinuities, and provide amenities and enhancements to
the Overseas Heritage Trail within the Village, as part of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Master
Plan.
Future Land Use Policies
· Policy 1-1.2.2 addresses improvement of the function and form of US 1 and the Old Road
by requiring commercial development to maintain the low intensity, human scale design
characteristic of most commercial development within the Village to create a more pedes-
trian-friendly environment and safely accommodate local traffic.
· Policy 1-1.2.3 addresses enhancing the enhancement of the Old Road by promotion of
land use and transportation strategies that enhance its safe use as a local traffic and pedes-
trian friendly corridor. These strategies include use of traffic calming methods, restriction
of through traffic, prohibiting vehicular access to high intensity uses and enhancing pe-
destrian and cyclist facilities, and landscaping.
· Policy 1-4.5.1 provides that land development regulations will address management of
environmentally sensitive natural systems, including but not limited to water resources,
wetlands, upland hammocks, transitional areas, wildlife corridors, sea grasses, the coral
reef, other living marine resources and other environmentally sensitive resources. Land
Development Regulations shall provide for wetland preservation, wetland mitigation,
dedication of conservation easements for preserving open space and reservation of strate-
gic points of shoreline for public access.
Page 65
Chapter 7
State and Federal Protection Techniques
The Florida Keys were designated an Area of Critical State Concern in 1975. Section 380.0552,
Florida Statutes, describes the intent of establishing a Florida Keys Area of Critical State Con-
cern. Establishment of an area of critical concern uses twelve principles for guiding development
and every comprehensive plan amendment is required to be consistent with them. One of the
twelve principles states "... to enhance the natural scenic resources, promote the aesthetic benefits
of the natural environment, and ensure that development is compatible with the unique historic
character of the Florida Keys." In addition, many of the remaining principles are directly tied to
the promotion of US 1 as a scenic corridor to protect shoreline resources, protect upland re-
sources, protect historical heritage, and to protect scenic vistas.
Various State and Federal agencies listed below manage and maintain the conservation and rec-
reation resources under their ownership that are found within the corridor.
.~~~:,'. 0.
;.(" 4..' '1
to-.-o.t.\. .. <,a-o:
~.~ ....
;:,~ '-, :,.,;
. :f'
t FLORA ~7
The FDEP Division of Recreation and Parks manages twelve state park
units in the Florida Keys, including the Overseas Heritage Trail State
Park. The Division's mission is "To provide resource based recreation
while preserving, interpreting and restoring the natural and cultural re-
f 1 ~ sources found within the state parks". Natural and cultural resource
management and restoration, interpretation and facilities development at
each unit of the park system is guided by an approved management plan. These plans undergo an
extensive process of updating, public review and agency approval every five years.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Division of Rec-
reation and Paries
The National Wildlife Refuge System
National Wildlife Refuges are places that have been set aside to provide habitat for native flora
and fauna. There are four National Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys - the Great White
Heron National Wildlife Refuge established to preserve these birds,
the Key West National Wildlife Refuge established to provide habi-
tat for migratory birds, the National Key Deer Refuge established to
protect Key Deer and other wildlife, and the Crocodile Lake National
Wildlife Refuge established to protect the endangered American
crocodile, Key Largo cotton mouse, Key Largo woodrat and the
Schaus's swallowtail butterfly. Objectives ofthe National Wildlife
Refuge System include:
. Preserving, restoring and enhancing all species of animals and
plants in their natural ecosystem that are endangered or threat-
ened with becoming endangered.
. Perpetuating migratory bird resources.
. Preserving a natural diversity and abundance of fauna and flora
on refuge lands.
. Providing an understanding and appreciation offish and wildlife ecology, as well as an un-
derstanding of man's role in his environment.
. Providing visitors with high quality, safe, wholesome and enjoyable recreational experi-
ences with wildlife, as long as these experiences are compatible with the purposes for
which the refuges were established.
Page 66
PROTE TION TECHNIQUES
National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FDEP,
Division of Marine Resources
Three national marine sanctuaries are located in the Florida Keys - Key Largo, Looe Key (both
established in 1975) and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (established in 1990).
These sanctuaries are managed by a federaVstate cooperative agreement between NOAA and
FDEP. Upon designation as a National Marine Sanctuary a comprehensive environmental man-
agement plan is developed and utilized to protect the resources for which the sanctuary was pur-
chased.
Local, State and Federal Permitting Agencies
Any projects undertaken within the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor will require permits
from local governments having jurisdiction over the project location and FDOT (for any project
activity within the US 1 right-of-way. In addition permits may need to be obtained from other
agencies that have permitting authority within the corridor as follows:
· Monroe County and its municipalities: Environmental de-
sign criteria, protection of sensitive habitats, wetland devel-
opment and other development activities that require local
government permits or review.
· South Florida Water Management District: Delegation and
some oversight by the FDEP for Overseas Heritage Trail pro-
jects; fill impacts to wetlands and state listed wetland de-
pendent and threatened and endangered species and species
of special concern; Class 11 Water designation and additional
criteria; Outstanding Florida Waters Designations and addi-
tional criteria; and Sovereign Submerged Lands criteria and
type of use.
· US Army Corps of Engineers: Memorandum of Agreements with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Fill impacts to wetlands and Feder-
ally listed threatened and endangered species.
· U.S. Coast Guard: Bridge permits
[[D
US Army Corps
of Engineerse
Page 67
Chapter 7
Page 68
a
ter
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
A Community Participation Program (CPP) is an outreach program designed to heighten aware-
ness, build consensus and foster public involvement in support of the corridor. The CPP is very
important; for it is only through community education and interaction that consensus can be built
to ensure the success of the corridor. It is also important that the proposed corridor has substan-
tiallocal support for designation. Strong local support built as a part of the Community Partici-
pation Program is critical since these supporters will be the caretakers of the designated corridor.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
The first major step in developing an effective CPP is to identify all groups and individuals that
have a stake in the corridor's designation. Typically these groups and individuals fall into two
categories: those adjacent to the corridor (property owners and tenants) and others with a special
interest in the corridor. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG has developed a list of all
property owners (both residents and business owners), governmental agency staffs, local, state,
and federal elected officials, civic, environmental and his-
torical organizations and societies located within or having
an interest in the corridor. This list has over 1,400 names
on it and is the list used for mail-outs for major workshops
and public forums. Listed on the following pages are the
names of organizations, businesses and governmental enti-
ties on the mailing list (personal names are not listed).
Public Forum. November 2000
~1Q1'i
1"\,,.._. '~'
", pt, ]~~,
.;."..... f.u
Scenic Highway
,~ .Pub
. FO'R ,
When?
SATII~y. lIOVEMlIER 18, 2000
10:00 AM . 2:00 PIlI
Who?
CLEAN FlORII>>l KE'IS. IMe,
An AfIIIl8bl11l Keep FIorlda beautIfUl. Inc. .
Keep An-'c:a Beautiful, Inc. I .
.....f.IOI).....,,....tIWUIl , ...~!
~ - ....... I .~-I-
Wll/lIIj~- -. t...,.,~._:-o
~~
Page 69
Chapter B
t1f "
Businesses Within the Corridor
A Cut Above
A Glimpse of Heaven
A.C. Charters & Tackle Co.
A.T.B. Canvas Designs
A 1 A Butch Blast
M Accommodation Ctr.. Inc.
Aardvark Services
AB FAB Pool and Gardens
Above and Below Marine
Abyss Pro Dive Center
Accommodating the Keys
Accommodations Hotline
Ace Hardware
Action Keys Realty, Inc.
Adams Auto Upholstery
Alexander Palms Court
All Pro Real Estate
Amer. Express Financial Advisors
American Cancer Society
American Caribbean Realty
American Express Trs. Co., Inc.
AME>< Financial Services
Amy's
Andy & Dave's Garage
Angela Skettine Real Estate
Angler's Realty
Aquatic Adventures
Art Lovers, Inc.
Artists in Paradise Gallery
Atlantic Shores Resorts
Atlantis Dive Center
Audio Travel Guide, Inc.
Aultman Construction
Authors of Key West
B & L Plumbing and Heating Co.,
Inc,
B.G. Studios
Banana Bay Resort & Marina
Banana Cabana Academy
Banyan Resort
Barack Pensions
Barefoot Realty of the Keys
Bamade Bed & Breakfast
Barnett Bank of the Keys
Barracuda Bistro
Barrett & Co. Inc.
Battery Shack
Bayside Inn & Suites
Beach Club Brokers
Beckmeyer & Mulick, PA
Bell Marine Inc.
Best of Both Worlds Resort
Best Western Key Ambassador
Betty's Health Food
Bicyde Therapy
Big Pine Bicyde Center
Big Pine Builders Supply
Big Pine Coffee Shop
Big Pine Fishing Lodge
Big Pine Flea Market
Big Pine Liquors
Big Pine Moving Inc.
Big Pine Nursery
Big Pine Office Center
Big Pine Sports Center
Big Pine Storage, Inc.
Big Pine Tax Service
Big Pine Travel
Big Pine Unisex Salon
Big Pine Vacation Rentals
Bike Marathon
Bill's Bait and Tackle
Birren & Sons Seafood
BJ's Bar-B-Q
Bland Disposal, Inc.
Blind Hairy's Music Store
Blue Moon Trader
Blue Water Printing
Blue Waters Resort Motel
Boathouse Resort & Marina
Bobcat Metal Products
Boilini Eye Care
Bonefish Resort
Bonsai Gift Gallery
Brandvold Appraisal Associates
Breezy Palms Resort
Buccaneer Courier
Buccaneer Resort & Marina
Buckaroo Land Company
Bud & Mary's Fishing Marina
Bud Boats, Inc.
Bud N' Mary's Dive Center
Bug-A-Way, Inc.
Buttonwood Bay Condo Assoc
Caloosa Cove Marina & Hardware
Calusa Camp Resort
Canal Cottage B&B
Canvas Works, Ltd.
Capt. Cliffs Seafood Mid., Inc,
Capt. Hook's Marina & Dive
Capt. Pip's
Capt. Varrieur's Cottages
Care Center for Mental Health
Caribbean Club
Caribee Marine
Carlos Seafood
Carnival Fruit Company
Casa Grande B&B
Castaway Restaurant
Cavanah T.V.
Century 21 Coastways
Century 21 Heart ofthe Keys
Century 21 Pro Realty
Chaplin Real Estate
Cheeca Divers
Cheeca Lodge
Chelsea House
City Electric System
CJ's Dive Center
CMCR Travel
Coca Cola of Big Pine Key
Coco Plum Beach
Cohan Photography
Coldwell Banker Schmitt R-6
Comfort Inn
Comprehensive Yacht Services
Conch Chiropractic
Conch Enterprises
Conch Key Cottages
Conch Spirits, Inc.
Conch Tour Train
Conch Trailer Court
Continental Inn
Coral Bay Marina
Coral Lagoon Motel
Coral Reef Park Co.
Coral Reef Title Company
Coral Shores. High School
Page 70
Courthouse Tower
Cover To Cover Book Store
Cracked Conch Cafe
Craig's Restaurant
Creative Cabinets
Cunningham, Albritton & Miller
Curry Mansion Inn
D C Seafood
Daniel's Custom Yacht & Furniture
D'Asign Source
Dave's Deli
Days Inn
Divers Outlet
Documents Unlimited Co.
Dolphins Plus
Donna's Pet Grooming
Eden 2000
Enchanted Elephant
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Ernest Rhodes Plumbing
Everglades Safari Tours
Executive Bay Club Condo
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Family Tree Landscaping and Tree
Services
Fast Buck Freddie's
First American TItle Insurance
Company
First National Bank of the Florida
Keys
First State Bank
First Union National Bank of FL
Fish n' Buddy
Fisherman's Hospital
FL Keys Dive Center
FL Keys Payfair
FL Keys Yellow Pages
FL. Keys Electric C~Op
Flamingo Glass
Flamingo Inn
Florida Keys Discovery
Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
Florida Keys Lobster House
Florida Keys Mortgage Co.
Florida Keys Yellow Pages
Four Winds
Frank Keys Cafe
Free Press
Fun Yet Charters
Galovich Power Service
Galway Bay
Garden of Eden
Genuine Draft Charters
Get Wet Watersports
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Global Cartographies
Golden Leaf Management
Gonzalez Architects
Grassy Key Beach Motel
Green Turtle Inn
Greg O'Berry Inc.
Guidance Clinic of the Keys
Gultview Motel
H.T. Chittum & Co.
H,W. Beyer Funeral Home
Hails Dive Center
Halfred Motel
Hard Rock Cafe
Harrison Gallery & Music
Hawk's Cay Resort and Marina
Hawks Nest
Hemingway Home and Museum
Hemp Products
Heron House
Hershoff, Gregg & De Foor
Hibiscus Motel
Hog's Breath Saloon
Holiday Inn Beachside
Holiday Inn La Concha
Holiday Isle Resort
Howard Johnson's
Hyatt Resort
Impressions Unlimited
Isaksen Insurance Inc.
Islamorada Fire and Rescue
Islamorada Fish Co.
Islamorada Fishing Adventures,
Inc.
Islamorada Tackle
Island Aeroplane Tours
Island Auto Electric
Island Christian School
Island Disposal Co., Inc.
Island Furniture & Bedding
Island Graphies
Island News
Island Transmissions
Island Wellness
J&J Jewelry
Jammers
Jazzercise Fitness Center
Jewell's Water & Sewage Service
Jig's Bait and Tackle
Jim's Guns & Ammo
John D. Ghee & Company
K.L. Floral & Gift Shop
Kangaroo Water Sports
KCB Island Par 3
Kennedy Studios
Key Federal Credit Union
Key Iron Works Inc.
Key Largo National Marine Sanctu-
ary
Key Largo Shopper
Key Largo Volunteer Ambulance
Key to the Keys Real Estate
Key TV
Key West Aquarium
Key West Hilton Resort & Marina
Key West International Airport
Key West Oxygen
Key West Yacht Club, Inc.
Key Wester Resort
Keys Accounting & Tax Service
Keys Boat Works, Inc,
Keys Bobcat
Keys Carpet and Draperies
Keys Diesel Repair
Keys Diver, Inc.
Keys Entertainment & Advertising
Keys Fisheries
Keys Music Center
Keys Sanitary Services
Keys Video
Keys Welding
Kingsail Resort
Kitchen Cabinets Specialist
K-Mart
Knights Key Inn Apartments
Knights Key Park
Kona Kai Resort
L B Services
Lagoon Resort & Marina
Land & Sea Realty
Lazy Days Restaurant
Lazy Lakes Camp Ground
Lender's Surveying & Inspection
Lightning Printing
Little Grocer, Attn: Debbie
Little Lime Bakery, Inc,
Little Palm Island
Lower FL Keys Health System
Lures Case Concepts
M&M Automotive Center
MN, Inc. Cooter Tours
Mac's Bar-B-Que
Made To Order Cafe
Makepeace Office Supply
Manatee Bay Marine
Marathon Ace Hardware
Marathon Air Condition & Appli-
ance
Marathon Airport
Page 71
Marathon Boat Yard
Marathon Garbage Service
Marathon Glass
Marathon High School
Marathon Key Beach Club II
Marathon Marina
Marathon Trailerama
Marathon Travel
Marathon Yacht Club
Marina Del Mar Bayside
Marine Bank of the Florida Keys
Marine Bank of the Keys
Mariners Hospital
Mark, Fore & Strike
Market Share Co.
Market Share Company
Marr and Assoc. Appraisal
Marr Real Estate
Marriott's Casa Marina
Marrying Sam
Marshall's Automotive Inc.
Martha's Restaurant
Martin-Vaague Funeral Home
May Sands School
Mayan Way
McConnell Corporation
McDonald's Restaurant
McKenzie Petroleum
McLaughlin Photo-Video Center
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Merkel Accounting & Tax Service
Metric Motors
Metropolitan Community Church
Miami Herald
Miami-Dade County
Miller Island Realty
Millis Seafood
Miss Kady
Monica's Hair Shop
Monroe Title Company
Montego Bay Food & Spirits Inc.
Monte's Restaurant & Fish Market
Moorings Village
Mrs. Mac's Kitchen
Murray's Food Mart
National Propane
Nations Bank
Nemo Watersports Inc.
Now Showing Video Inc,
O.J. Dave's Tropical Treats
O.M.I.,lnc.
Oasis / Coral Tree Inn
Ocean Divers
Ocean Key House Suite Resort &
Marina
Ocean Paddler South
Ocean Seafood Corp.
Oceanside Marina Services, Inc.
Old City Hall
Old Island Restoration
Old Town Resorts
Old Town Trolley
Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp
ORCA
Outcast Charters
Overseas Lounge & Liquor Store
Overseas Lumber Supply Co. Inc.
Pacho Enterprises
Package Depot
Page's Auto Service
Pages Paint Store
Palms Hotel
Pam's Barber Shop
Pancho's
Papa Joe's Marina
Papa Joe's Restaurant
Paradise Grooming
Paradise Inn
Paradise Lounging
Paradise Office Products
Paradise Row Motel
Parks & Niles
Parks & Niles, PA
Panner's Place
Patio & Home Decorating Shop
Paulines Beauty Studio
Pegasus International Hotel
Pelican Cove
Pelican Landing
Peppers of Key West
Permit Charters
Pete's Electric
Pier House Resort
Pinewood Enterprises
Plantation Key Marina
Plato's Pause
Porky's Bayside
Port Engineers
Price Distributing
Pro Photo Imaging Center
Production Supply Company of
Fla.
Quality Inn
Quality Painting
Radio Shack
Ramada Inn Key West
Randy's
Ray Hampson & Associates
Raymond Real Estate
Ray's Boat Rentals
Red Heron Handprints
Redbone Art Gallery
Reel Dream
Reflections Kayak Nature Tours
Regan Insurance
Remax Island Homes
Republic Media Inc.
Resort Realty
Richard C. Reasin, CPA
Rode Runner's Charter
Rose Lane Gardens
Sam'Son Publishing
Sandpiper Motel
Sands ofthe Keys Inc.
Sara Cook,lnc.
Save-A- Turtle
Schooner Liberty Inc.
Schwartz Property Sales, Inc.
Scissor Hut the Hair Salon
Sea Air Land Technologies
Sea Boots Charters, Inc.
Sea Cove Motel
Sea Dwellers Dive Center
Sea Scape Motel
Sea Tow/Sea Spill FL. Keys
Seahorse Scuba
Seamark Electronics, Inc,
Seatow
See Magazine
Seven Mile Grill
Seventh Heaven II
Sheldon Productions
Shell World
Sheraton Key Largo Resort
Shennan's Nautical Emporium
Shucker's Raw Bar & Grill,lnc.
Signal Communications
Silver Eagle Dist. of 'tWtJ
Simone Travel & Cruise
Skeeter's Marine
Ski and Scuba Club
Ski West Water Sports
Skimmers Kayaking
Sloppy Joe's Bar
Somewhere In Time
Southern Exteriors
Southernmost Guest House
Squid Row
Stanley Steemer
Strawberry Hill Charters Inc.
Stuffed Pig
Subtropic Dive Center, Inc.
Page 72
Sue Moore School
Sugarloaf KOA Campground
SugarloafLoctge
Sugarloaf Marina
Sugarloaf Shores Property Owners
Assoc.
Summerland Hardware
Sun Bank Building
Sundance Expeditions, Inc,
Sundance Trailer Village
SundownerslSenor Frijoles
Super Boat IntI. Productions
Sweetwater Homes Inc.
Sysco Food Services of S, FL.
T.J.'s Fudge Cycle
Tackle Box
Tarpon Bay
TCI Media Services
Terry Ford
The Conch House
The Cuban Club Suites
The Florida Keys Keynoter
The Frame Shop
The Gardens Hotel
The Grouch Charters
The Hampton Inn
The Heron
The Islamorada Free Press
The Key West Citizen
The Keynoter
The Margaritaville Store
The Market Share Company
The Marquesa Hotel
The Miami Herald
The Optical Shoppe
The Palms Vacation Rentals
The Pride of Key West
The Print Shop
The Rainbow House
The Reporter
The Restaurant Store
The Sandbar Restaurant
The Santa Maria Motel
The Turtle Hospital
The Whistle Stop
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Theater of the Sea
TIB Bank of the Keys
Tiki Beauty Shoppe
Tiny's Convenience Store
Tom Sawyer Enterprises
Tom Thumb Stores Inc.
Top Quality Paint and Body Shop
Toppino's, Inc.
Touch of Paradise
Townsite Supermarket
Trading Post of Islamorada
Treasure Harbor Marine
Treasure Village
Triple East Pest Control
Tropical Cafe
Tropical Technologies
Tugboats Marine Supply
Two Brooms
Underseas Inc.
Uniglobe Duval St.. Travel
United Methodist Community
Church
Upper Crust Pizza
Upper Keys BPW
Upper Keys Veterinary Clinic
US 1 Radio
Vaca Cut Motel
Vacation Key West, Inc.
Video Magic
Vincent Auto Parts
Walden Guest Rooms
Waste Management Inc.
Waterfront Realty of the Keys
Watson House
WAVK/WAVE
WAVK 106.3
WCTH I Cach 100.1
Welcome Aboard
WEOW 92.5
Westwinds Guest House & Inn
WFKZ I SUN 103,1
Wheatons Automotive Center
Whorton Investments
Windswept Appliances
Windy City Laundry
Winn Dixie
WKRY/KEY93 93.5
Wonderland Nursery School
Wooley's Fine Foods
Worldwide Sportsman
WOZN 98.7
WPIK 102.5
VlJlN./VUS Radio
Organizations Within the Keys
Back Country Guides Association
Big Pine Botanical Society
Big Pine Key Civic Association
Big Pine Trail Riders
Big Pine Vol. Fire Dept.
Bike Marathon
Bill's Bait and Tackle
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Keys
Area
Caribbean Shipwreck Research
Institute
Center for Marine Conservation
Clean Florida Keys, Inc.
Conch Republic Celebration
Coral Reef Community Founda-
tion, Inc
Crane Point Hammock
Dolphin Research Center
Everglades Protection Assn.
FL. Keys Wild Bird Rehab. Center
Florida Artificial Reef Assn.
Florida Conservation Association
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
Florida Keys Citizens Coalition
Florida Keys Contractors Assoc.
Florida Keys Friends of Midwives
Florida Keys Land and Sea Trust
Florida Keys Outreach Coalition
Inc,
FL. Keys Wild Bird Rehab. Center
Florida Marine Conservancy
Friends of Fort Taylor, Inc.
Friends of US 1
Girl Scouts of America
Global Peoples Association
Habitat For Humanity
Historical Preservation Soc of the
Upper Keys
Islamorada Chamber of Com-
merce
Islamorada Fire and Rescue
Izaak Walton League
Key Largo Civic Club
Key Largo Lions Club
Page 73
,. '.
""...,...
.-
Key Largo Rotary Club
Key Largo Runners Club
Key West Assoc. of Realtors
Key West Botanical Garden Society
Key West Business Guild
Key West Charterboat Assoc.
Key West Garden Club
Key West Hotel & Motel Association
Key West Innkeepers Assoc.
Key West Jaycees
Key West Maritime Historical Soci-
ety of the Florida Keys, Inc,
Society of the Florida Keys, Inc.
Key West Women's Club
League of Women Voters of Monroe
County
Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce
Lower Keys Citizen Action
Lower Keys Friends of Animals, Inc.
Lower Keys Property Owners Assoc.
Lower Matecumbe Association
Marathon Garden Club
Marathon Key Chamber of Com-
merce
Marathon Volunteer Fire & Rescue
Marine Resources Development
Foundation
Matecumbe Historical Trust
Middle Keys BPW
Middle Keys Marine Association
Monroe Co. Tourist Development
Council
Museums at Crane Point Hammock
National Audubon Society
National Center for Shipwreck Re-
search
National Undersea Research Center
(N.U.R.C.)
Ocean Reef Community Association
Old Tavernier Neighborhood Assoc.
Organization of Florida Rshennen
Organized Fishennan of Rorida
Pigeon Key Foundation
Rails to Trails Conservancy
Reef Foundation, Inc,
Reef Relief
Scenic Highway CAG
Seacamp Association, Inc.
SeaCamp Newfound Harbor Marine
Institute
Southernmost Parrot Head Club of
Key West
Sugarloaf Shores Property Owners
Assoc.
Summer1and Key Civic Assoc.
The Nature Conservancy
The Welcome Center of the Florida
Keys
Tourist Development Council
Tropical Marine Center, Inc.
Upper Keys Citizens Association
Upper Keys Garden Club
Upper Keys Humane Society
Upper Keys Rotary Club
Upper Keys Sailing Club
Y outhwish
Zonta Club of Key West
Zonta Club of the Upper Keys
Governmental Entities
City of Key Colony Beach
City of Key West
City of Layton
DEP
Department of Corrections
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of Community Affairs
District II - TDC
District III TDC
District IV - TDC
District V - TDC
District 40, Florida Senate
DOT Central Environmental Office
FDOT Central Environmental Office
FDOT District 6
FDOT, District 6, Multimodal Ping.
Office
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
Florida Keys Community College
Florida Keys National Marine Sanc-
tuary
Fort Jefferson National Monument
Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic
Site
Gerald Adams Elementary
Glynn R. Archer Elementary
Islamorada Public Library
Islamorada - Village of Islands
Key Largo Elementary School
Key Largo Hammocks State
Botanical Site
Key Largo National Marine
Sanctuary
Key Largo School
Key West High School
Long Key State Reaeational Area
Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary
Marathon City Council
Marathon High School
Monroe Co. Environmental Manage-
ment
Monroe County Library
Monroe County Sheriffs Office
Monroe Co, Tourist Development
Council
Monroe County Commission
Monroe County District School
Board
Monroe County Environmental Edu-
cation Council
Monroe County Environmental Re-
source Department
Monroe County Extension Agent
Monroe County Growth Manage-
ment
Monroe County Library
Monroe County School District
National Key Deer Refuge
National Park Service
Office of Congressman Peter
Deutsch
Offices of House Members
Offices of Senate Members
Plantation Key ElementarylMiddle
School
Poinciana 8ementary School
Senate Office Building, Room 218
Sigsbee Elementary School
Stanley Switlik Elementary
Sugarloaf 8ementary/Middle School
Tourist Development Council
U,S. House of Representatives Dis-
trict Office
U.S, Navy Recycling
Page 74
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Scenic Highway Corridor Advocacy Group
The Clean Florida Keys Scenic Highway Committee has acted as the Corridor Advocacy Group
(CAG) for the designation process and has been promoting community participation since Febru-
ary 1995. Information gathered at public workshops held in 1999 and 2000 is included in Appen-
dix C. Following is a list of presentations made by the CAG since January 1999:
Date
II~~
1/29/99
2/11/99
2/15/99
2/24/99
2/25/99
3125/99
3125/99
3/26/99
3/27/99
4/17/99
4/24/99
4/25/99
5/13/99
8/19/99
9/9/99
11/4/99
11/9/99
11/10/99
11/20/99
12/2/99
12/3/99
12/4/99
12/4/99
1110/00
1130100
4/22/00
12/6/00
2/10101
3/1101
Organization
",ey VVe51 MOlet MOlelRSSOCIation
Display at Key West Running Association
Brochures to Sugarloaf School Staff
Big Pine Civic Association
Monroe County School Board Planning Team
Monroe County Environmental Education Council
Key West Association cI Realtors
Monroe County Environmental Education Council
Key West Business Guild
Big Pine Key Rotary Kids Carnival
John Pennekamp Earth Day Celebration
Bahia Honda Earth Day Celebration
Key West Environmental Fair
Navy Breakfast Meeting
Monroe County Environmental Education Council
Earthday 2000 Planning Committee
Key West Garden Club
Lower Keys Master Gardeners
Marathon Master Gardeners
Cayo Carnival
Public Meeting - Key Largo
Public Meeting - Marathon
Public Meeting - Key West
Key West Bike Action Workshop
Audubon Society Meeting
Half Shell Rawbar in Marathon
Earthday 2000 Celebration
Southernmost Runners Club
Daughters of the American Revolution
Tavernier Livable CommuniKeys Workshop
Attendance
to
150
50
25
20
20
35
25
25
150
300
300
100
60
20
10
60
20
20
300
60
40
50
20
35
250
300
25
20
50
Page 75
The following presentations were given between November 2000 and March 2001. The exact
dates and number in attendance were not listed for these presentations.
Islamorada, Village of Islands. Town Council
Meeting to Approve Resolution
Marathon Chamber of Commerce
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners
Meeting to Approve Resolution
Sugartoaf Homea.vners Association
Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
Big Pine Key Equestrian Association
Village of Islamorada Planning Meeting
Marathon Chamber of Commerce
Poinciana School Environmental
Project Video Interview
Fast Buck Freddie's Window Display
George Murphy Television Show
Morning Magazine Radio Show
Crane Point Hammock
Big Pine Civic Association
Big Pine Rotary
Big Pine Chamber of Commerce
City of Layton
Dolphin Research Center
Pigeon Key Historical Foundation
Islamorada Chamber of Commerce
Key West Salt Ponds Alliance
Tourist Development Council
County Commissioner Dixie Spehar
Sonny McCoy
Murray Nelson
Nora Williams
George Neugent
Exhibit at Marathon Airport.
November 2000
Corridor Advocacy Group Publications
Appendix C presents the Scenic Highway Brochure distributed by CAG members whenever they
speak or attend meetings about the Scenic Highway designation process or the Overseas Heritage
Trail project. Copies of other Corridor Advocacy Group publications about the corridor are pro-
vided in Appendix C.
Corridor Designation Public Workshops
In order to provide for community participation in the Scenic Highway designation application, and
to describe the elements of the Corridor Management Plan to the local governmental officials and
the general public, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway CAG sponsored a Public Forum in November
2000. Over 1,400 invitations were mailed to announce the meeting. The mailing list included all
municipal, county, state and federal elected officials representing lands within the corridor, all
property owners and business owners within the corridor, and all people who had attended any
functions relating to the Scenic Highway or Overseas Heritage Trail projects. Information about
this meeting is provided in Appendix C.
The public is made aware ofthe CAG's activities via multiple avenues of public media including:
network affiliate television stations, multiple radio PSAs and printed media, primarily the local
newspapers. Additionally, the CAG publishes a newsletter that is mailed to all committee mem-
bers, individuals requesting inclusion on the mailing list, and all appropriate city, county and state
Page 76
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
officials. Examples of newsletters and mailouts are found in Appendix B. The CAG regularly par-
ticipates in both city and county "town forums" to provide those present with current information
on Scenic Highway activities, events and projects. Committee officers and members also monitor
any development activity that occurs within the highway corridor, in order to present comments
and recommendations. Finally, the CAG has provided, and will continue to provide, speakers to
outdoor and environmental organizations, civic organizations and historic preservation organiza-
tions.
The CAG plans to continue the activities described above and will develop additional public out-
reach activities. In addition, the CAG is planning to organize various standing committees of
which the following will coordinate in the community participation program: Education!
Awareness Committee, Events Committee, Publicity Committee and Projects Committee. These
will be the four active committees assigned specific responsibilities and tasks to sustain the public
support mission of the Clean Florida Keys Scenic Highway Committee.
In the future, the Scenic Highway Committee and the CME will continue to serve as the voice of
concerned citizens and as the primary organization whose focus is Scenic Highway. The CME
will partner with other organizations to sponsor Scenic Highway activities and support efforts to
enhance the corridor. It will seek to foster coordination and cooperation with businesses, govern-
ment agencies, and citizens groups throughout implementation of the CMP. Representatives from
the organization will function as an integral part ofthe CME.
LOCAL SUPPORT
Developing local support can be accomplished by getting individuals and groups involved in corri-
dor planning through the Community Participation Program. Support is documented by letters of
support, governmental resolutions, and articles written about and in support of the scenic highway
designation.
In order to build additional local support for the highway designation, the Florida Keys Scenic
Highway Committee intends to continue its efforts to contact any persons or groups that may be
interested in or affected by the designation. Over 1,400 resi-
dents, business owners, government officials, and govern-
mental agency representatives are included in the CAG mail-
ing list. This list was used to notify the public of the Decem-
ber 1999 public workshops and the November 2000 Public
Forum and will be updated for future use in order to allow for
updated information about im-
portant Florida Keys Scenic
Highway activities throughout
the implementation process.
The CAG will also continue to
contact neighborhood associa-
tions within and adjacent to the
corridor, large employers in the
vicinity of the corridor, local
business owners within the cor-
ridor, all local and regional
Page 77
Chapter B
civic/fraternal/environmental organizations, economic development agencies, the local school board,
tourism agencies, user or interest groups.
Letters of Support
Letters and e-mails of support received from the following individuals and organizations (in order
from latest date to earliest date) are provided in Appendix 0:
1.
2,
Bert A. Whitt, Property owner and resident cI Key West
Dennis A. Beaver, President, Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Southgate Properties
cI Key West, Chairman, Key West Business Guild Beautification Committee
Esley Kelly Baskin, Resident of Key West
Mandy Rodriguez, Exec. VP, Dolphin Research Center, Marathon, FL
James R. Malcolm, Chairman, SCTSP
Robert E. Schneider, President, Big Pine Key Civic Association, Inc,
Monica WoIl, Paradise Paddlers, Key Largo, FL
Bruce/Barbara Meyer, Residents c1Tavemier, Florida
Peggy Alander, Resident of Sugartoaf Key
Maureen Gilbert, LMT, FSMTA Chapter President
Joel V. Blakeman, Resident cI Key West
George and Lois Craig, Resident cI Summerland Key
Kim Ottaviani, snorkeler, runner, birder, and more
Joel V. Blakeman, Resident cI Key West
Howard Crane, Keys resident
Lee Ridley, native Floridian currently living in Colorado
Arlene Haessler, Resident cI Key West
Bryan Gilchrist, Resident cI Key West, Aorida Keys Community College
Tom Rowland, Big Blue Flyfishing, Inc.
Shelby Harrington, Resident cI Key West
Pete and Margaret Braisted, Residents of Summerland Key
Jeanie Gargano, er11JIoyee cI the Surrmer1and Key Post Office
David Dodd, Resident cI Key West
Connie R. Logan, Manager, Hyatt Key West
Raymond Kitchener, Exec. Director, Greater Marathon Chamber cI Commerce
David Rice, President, Marathon Community Council, Marathon, FL
Arlene Klein, Corresponding Secretary, Key West Garden Club
Bob Ballard, Deputy Secretary, Land and Recreation, DEP
Jerry Wildnson, President, Historical Preservation Society cI the Upper Keys
Ty Symroski, Planning Manager, Department cI Community Affairs
Peter E. Riley, Mayor, City cI Layton, FL
Debbie Horan, Representative, 12ot" District
Keith L. Douglass, District 4 Commissioner, Monroe County
March 30, 2001
March 30, 2001
No Date
March 26, 2001
M8'Ch 15, 2001
M8'Ch 12, 2001
March 6, 2001
March 5, 2001
November 20, 2001
November 18, 2001
November 17,2001
November 17,2001
November 16,2001
November 17,2001
November 16, 2001
November 16,2001
November 16,2001
November 16, 2001
November 16, 2001
November 15, 2001
November 15, 2001
November 13, 2001
November 13,2001
July 11, 2000
April 14, 2000
April 9, 2000
November 17, 1999
September 2, 1999
May 6, 1998
Novernber21,1996
November 15, 1996
September 24,1996
August 28, 1996
Resolutions In Support of the Designation
Monroe County, the City of Key West, the City of Marathon, the City of Key Colony Beach, the
City of Layton, and Islamorada, Village ofIslands all adopted resolutions in support ofthe scenic
highway designation. These resolutions are provided in Appendix D.
3,
4.
5.
6.
7.
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28,
29,
30,
31.
32,
33,
Newspaper Articles In Support of the Designation
Newspaper and newsletter articles in support ofthe designation are provided in Appendix D.
Page 78
a
ter
PARTNERSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS
Partnering is a term used to describe the cooperative work efforts of two or more parties to reach
a common goal. Within the Florida Scenic Highways Program, partnering and agreements will
develop between many partners who may include: citizens, government agencies, private busi-
nesses, business associations, landowners,
land developers, interest groups and civic organizations. The intent of the partnering effort is to
collectively produce a better product or outcome than could be accomplished by working sepa-
rately.
To develop partnerships and agreements, it is critical that potential partners be aware ofCAG ac-
tivities. The Community Participation Program and efforts to generate public support should ac-
complish this task. By building early awareness and a realization of benefits among potential
partners, the CAG will have greater partnering success because participating parties will develop
a sense of ownership and contribution. Identifying benefits is a key task in partnering because the
benefits are often the primary motivators. Therefore, CAG members and other corridor stake-
holders should always investigate the potential partnering applications when they encounter spe-
cific issues or problem areas. Keeping an open and creative mind affords the opportunity for
unique or unobvious partnerships that might be successful for very specific corridor issues.
Agreements among partnering entities can take the form of simple written documents stating the
intent of the partnership and, if know
task. Agreements need not be
overly verbose, for the intent of
the agreement is to serve as a rec-
ognition of the partnership' im-
portance to the corridor as well as
a sign of commitment to the Cor-
ridor Vision. However, agree-
ments that establish the Corridor
Management Entity (CME)
should be more formal in nature,
using structures such as a joint-
powers-of-agreement or a memo-
randum of understanding between
partners.
the actions that will be taken to accomplish the desired
"Pro"de
Community
Benefits"
P;/fW('rilt:! \I it/J Muhipk I\;.:,.nci,'",
St,ue.. Ilc.'partnwnt..
& Ae.h ..e..,\t" (irllllp_
Hc/,ir.'f1r~...hrr" H !In ffln,,{
I....'l.n" ie.. h:.J\ (' ..df('~Hh
h'n'.~ r,;,uh11..11<,-I,;" rh("
trAlJ~ .~fld "l,.{'nt.. l!l;:hH)ll
rTl>rt~ \l
'."<mI.. p." ~"ft......
l'S t;.... (.uni
l S I.... ...... '<<......,.
r........l\t...nIN'~.......,.
t~ -\...,..('".....wttlF............
....1 \JL~ H!(.\1
IJ Dr,...,...... Gf
[' ."'....fIII'.... 1\0..,.('...
. Olcl ""... 8rioll!" -r....
~-~
~ N..i.....Tr.ai.
~~O._fV.-r\'
. Or... IIuftd.o ""_
. Sr...&" 1I;p.,.~
lAonidor ,w._....'
(;-... ..... a....
.I-..~..
. n............._......
,......
RI
m ~Jr~.
WI ..- ~,~...~
//a/ ':"$ ~,')Af:,"".:.t.w:"
.. Drtput..... ..
.I.-.,.....u....
. Uop.ut__. aI'!iu.
s r.... .....l..-....Ir .~ Ii-,
C-,-, ,:~,ft"'"c."_,,,_ _ ..:-"~ ~I
(! .}.:-- cr--"':1 i_,....
"---~~ ~ f1)~.~~ ~ :t..._m
Page 79
Chapter 9
CORRIDOR PARTNERS
From the beginning of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway designation process, the CAG has
worked in a partnership with Monroe County, its municipalities, FDOT and FDEP. This was
never a formal partnership, but the eligibility and designation documentation phases could not
41rq;;:--s-... have been accomplished without the efforts of these partners. Up to
~ \ "'- ~ this point in time it has not been necessary to forge "formal" partner-
~Q ~ ship agreements; however, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor
~ ~ Management Entity (CME) will be prepared to pursue partnerships
t ..,' . with various civic, social, environmental and professional organiza-
, tions, as well as corporate partners, in the implementation, coordina-
H I G H WAY tion, and monitoring of the Corridor Management Plan upon designa-
tion of the highway. Potential partnering entities are described below:
Potential Corridor Management Entity Partners
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity (CME) partners will be comprised
of individuals, organizations, business entities, governmentaVpublic units and other legal enti-
ties, which desire to assist the CME in projects and activities in support of the Corridor Man-
agement Plan. These partners may include, but not be limited to:
Individuals: Private individuals who desire to participate in CME activities and/or projects on a
continuous basis or only for specific event. These partners may be from the local community,
region, or from any location. Names listed on the petitions in support for the highway designa-
tion (found in Appendix C) might be possible individual partners.
Organizations: These partners may be comprised of civic, social, political, service, and other
organized groups desiring to participate in the CME's activities. Possible local organizations are
listed under the Community Participation Program section in Chapter 8.
Business Entities: These partners may be comprised of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and
corporations desiring to participate in the CME's activities. Businesses located within the Flor-
ida Keys Scenic Highway corridor would be the most likely partners, but other regional busi-
nesses could also participate as partners. Possible businesses are listed in Chapter 8 under the
Community Participation Program section.
GovernmentallPublic Units: These partners may be comprised oflocal, state, and/or federal
units of government. These could include, at a minimum, the agencies listed in Chapter 8 under
the Community Participation Program section.
All of the above-proposed partners would enter into a Partnership Agreement. (sample found in
the Florida Scenic Highways Program Manual) to clarify their relationship to the Scenic High-
way CME and delineate the role they would play in various CME projects and activities. This
process will help to insure that CME projects and activities will be controlled by the CME,
though supported by partners.
CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT ENTITY
The Florida Scenic Highways program mandates the establishment of a "Corridor Management
Entity," or "CME," that serves as the caretaker of the scenic corridor by ensuring that the Action
Plan is executed and that all corridor activities are monitored and implemented according to the
Page 80
Corridor Management Plan (CMP). The CME should be comprised of the individual, organiza-
tion and/or government agency representatives whose expertise or services are appropriately
matched to the strategies of the CMP. The CME is a formal agreement that must be signed by all
members as an official declaration of their membership and commitment to the duties and re-
sponsibilities of the CME.
The CME is responsible for:
· Continually monitoring the corridor for adherence to the CMP goals, objectives and
strategies
· Coordinating CMP implementation
· Coordinating corridor promotion activities
· Serving as a clearinghouse for corridor-related information
· Continuing the Community Participation Program
· Reviewing proposed policies and regulations that may impact the implementation of the
CMP
· Preparing an Annual Report
· Preparing a Five- Year CMP Update
CME meetings are subject to the requirement of Section 286.011, Florida Statutes. Therefore,
CME's must provide reasonable public notice of meetings, open public meetings and keep min-
utes of records.
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway has drafted a Corridor Management Entity Agreement, shown
below, that will be executed when signed by the entities described.
DRAFT
FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC IDGHWAY
CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT ENTITY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into between the Clean Florida Keys, Inc., Florida
Keys Scenic Highway CAG, hereinafter referred to as "CAG" and the local, state and federal
government agencies, and civic, business and citizen entities, hereinafter referred to as "Entities."
This Agreement creates a cooperative relationship between the undersigned parties.
The parties agree as follows:
1. There is hereby created the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity
(the "CME"), which will initiate, coordinate, and monitor plans, strategies, programs and
events for the improvement and enhancement of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, taking
into account the plans, visions, goals and strategies set forth in the Corridor Management
Plan (the "CMP").
2. The CME shall be composed of the following members, but membership can be expanded
to a maximum of twenty-five (25) members or reduced by majority action of the CME
members:
· One representative from Clean Florida Keys, Inc.
· FDOT, District 6 Scenic Highways Coordinator
· FDEP, Division of Recreation and Parks, Administrator of the Overseas
Heritage Trail
Page 81
. Three private citizens representing users of and/or landowners within the cor-
ridor (one each from Lower Keys, Middle Keys, and Upper Keys)
. Three individuals representing business interests within the corridor (one
each from Lower Keys, Middle Keys, and Upper Keys)
One representative from each of the following:
. Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
. City of Key West Board of Commissioners
. City of Key Colony Beach Board of Commissioners
. City of Marathon Council
. City of Layton Council
. Islamorada, Village ofIslands Council
. Florida Keys Chambers of Commerce
. Florida Keys Office of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis-
sion
. Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges
3. Each CME member shall provide technical and/or professional advice in the area of
planning, engineering, architecture, economics, and environmental management, as
may be appropriate to the participating Entity.
4. Citizen and business members shall be appointed by the CAG and shall serve two-
year terms. In the event that the CAG ceases to exist, the successors to the citizen
and business members shall be appointed by, or vacancies in such memberships filled
by, the other members of the CME.
5. The CME shall elect a Chair and Vice-Chair each to serve terms of two calendar
years. The same person may succeed himself or herself in these positions.
6. The CME may adopt such bylaws and organizational rules as shall be necessary or
appropriate for the organization and operation ofthe CME, consistent with the provi-
sions hereof, including as appropriate provision for the formation of" Action Com-
mittees," task forces or other committees, formation of formal partnership agree-
ments, the election of other officers and the retention of employees or independent
contractors in the CME's discretion.
7. The CME shall determine the Entity that will keep and maintain all records of the
CME.
8. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the adoption of the provisions of the CMP
as a law, regulation or ordinance of any public body.
9. Land management and administration, policies, staffmg, budgeting, development and
operation of public lands and facilities are responsibilities of several federal and state
agencies and local governments along the Corridor. The recommendations ofthe
corridor management plan shall provide guidance for these entities' decision, but
shall not obligate these agencies to any action.
10. Neither the CME nor the CAG shall take any actions that commit the DEP, Division
Page 82
of Recreation and Parks to any action, funding, staffing or operational responsibili-
ties, including but not limited to entering any agreements and applying for any grant
funds, without the prior written approval of the Division of Recreation and Parks.
11. The ability of the DEP, Division of Recreation and Parks to participate in the pro-
grams of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway and the CME is dependent on annual ap-
propriations from the Florida Legislature.
12. This Agreement is a continuing contract and program to ensure implementation and
consistency in carrying out the goals, objectives and strategies of the CMP. How-
ever, any member Entity may terminate its participation in the CME upon thirty (30)
days written notice. The CME will terminate when no party remains active.
13. This Agreement may be amended only with the written consent of all the parties
hereto. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Florida.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement.
Clean Florida Keys, Inc.
By:
Florida Department of Transportation District 6 Scenic Highways Coordinator
By:
FDEP, Division of Recreation and Parks, Administrator of the Overseas Heritage Trail
By:
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
By:
Key West City Commission
By:
Key Colony Beach Council
By:
Marathon City Council
By:
Page 83
Chapter 9
Layton City Council
By:
Islamorada, Village ofIslands Council
By:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
By:
Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges
By:
Monroe County Economic Development Council
By:
Monroe County Tourist Development Council
By:
Keys Council of Chambers of Commerce
By:
Page 84
a
ter
I
FUNDING AND PROMOTION
Without a strong plan for funding and promoting the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, implementa-
tion would be impossible. This chapter identifies funding opportunities that will provide the
means to implement the Corridor Management Plan and a promotion plan that will guarantee
continuing success in the programs and activities within the corridor.
FUNDING FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC HIGHWAY
Funding for the Scenic Highway will come from a variety of sources including private donations
and local, state and federal funding, some through grants.
Federal Funding Opportunities
Following are several federal funding opportunities
National Scenic Byways Grant
The Federal Highway Administration offers grant funds to successful applicants for the following
activities:
· Safety improvements to a highway designated as a scenic byway
· Construction of facilities along a scenic highway for the use by pedestrians and bicyclists
· Improvements to the scenic highway that will enhance access to an area for purposes of
recreation
· Protection of historical, archaeological, and cultural resources in the area adjacent to the
scenic highway
· Development and provision of tourist information to the public, including interpretive in-
formation about the scenic highway.
The Federal share is 80 percent of the grant - requiring a 20 percent local match.
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
Funding for transportation improvements
National Urban and Community Forestry Matching Grant Program
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pro-
vides funds for projects that develop or enhance a community's abil-
ity to have a sustained, comprehensive tree care program. This is a
50 percent matching grant, with no more that 20 percent of the funds
used for tree planting alone.
Page 85
Chapter 10
State of Florida Funding Opportunities
Florida Highway Beautification Council Grant Program
The Florida Highway Beautification Council through the FDOT provides funds for landscape
beautification projects on Florida's roadways. The funding is a matching grant of 50 percent.
Florida"s Plant-A- Tree Trust Fund
Use of these funds - at a 50 percent match - are for projects involving the planting of native
trees on rural acres or urban landscapes.
Historic Preservation Grants-in-Aid
The Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources provides 50 percent matched
funding to assist in the identification and preservation of Florida's historic resources. The types
of projects eligible for funding fall into three general categories - Acquisition and Development,
Survey and Planning, and Community Education.
Historical Museums Grants-in-Aid
The Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources provides 50 percent matched
funding to develop exhibits on Florida history, as well as for operating costs of Florida history
museums. Funding is provided for two categories: general operating support and public educa-
tional exhibit projects.
Cultural Grants Program
The Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, provides grants of varying
amounts to non-profit organizations and political subdivisions engaged in cultural programming.
Coastal Management Grants Program
The Florida Coastal Management Program in the Department of Community Affairs provides
grants to accomplish innovative projects that will implement the priority issues of the current
applicable Florida Coastal Action Plan. Such projects include protection and management of
coastal resources, improvements in water quality and natural resource protection through coastal
non-point pollution controls, management of coastal development and redevelopment, and im-
proved public beach access and hazard mitigation.
Florida Main Street Program
The Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources provides
a $10,000 seed money grant and technical assistance for eligible communi-
ties. The Program encourages the revitalization of traditional downtown
commercial districts through a community-based comprehensive approach.
No match is required but the applicant must provide a guaranteed one-year
funding support for a Main Street manager.
I .
Ir--~ J
' "..'
,;/".,.,.J / ~
Page 86
Florida Communities Trust Land Acquisition Grants, Loans and
Matching Grants
The Florida Communities Trust as part of the Department of Community Affairs provides incen-
tives to local governments to protect resources identified in their local government comprehen-
sive plans.
The Florida Department of EnYironmental Protection
Several grants programs are disseminated through the FDEP as follows:
.
Florida Recreation and Development Assistance Grant Pro-
gram
Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund
Florida Boating Improvement Program
Pollution Recovery Program
Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Implementation
t'.".O
s;:,~ ~ '.i:. ' \
",,~. ~ ,
,?;'" "
."j.~" >>,.., ,
.. .
~ ~
EFLOR ~ '
.
.
.
.
-----.......----........ ----......_~--_......................_....
------~-----.....--
Greenways and Rails-to- Trails Program
The Office of Greenways and Trails, in the FDEP is responsible for developing and maintaining
a comprehensive plan for a statewide system of greenways and trails.
Technical Assistance for Community-Based Organizations
The Enterprise Florida, Inc. provides technical assistance to community-based organizations in
an effort to strengthen and diversify local economies. Technical assistance includes helping form
an organization, and identifying community development strategies, identifying financial re-
sources for community development projects and referring to other responsible agencies.
Advertising Match Grant
The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, a public/private organization, provides
matching grants up to $2,500 to fund projects that contribute directly or indirectly to the promo-
tion of tourism, industrial or agricultural advantages within Florida.
Other Funding Opportunities
. FDOT Work Program
. Local Funding
. Private Donations
. Not-for-Profit Groups
. Fundraising and sponsorship
. Special Legislative Funding
The Florida league of Cities produces a guide entitled Financing and Technical assistance for
Florida Municipalities. The guide contains information on grants, loans, technical assistance, and
other resources available to Florida municipalities.
Page 87
Chapter '0
PROMOTION PLAN
The Florida Keys Scenic Highway will have many different users, including local and seasonal
residents, the existing tourists, bicyclists, wildlife and nature lovers and others yet to be classified.
The promotional program for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway envisions that each group will be
targeted in unique ways that will most effectively serve their needs.
Local and Seasonal Residerrts
Keys local and seasonal residents view US 1 not only as an integral part of commerce and tour-
ism within Keys communities but the Main Street of the Florida Keys- providing access to sig-
nificant natural and recreational resources throughout its 106-mile length.
With improved road conditions, landscaping, and the addition of a linear Florida State Park for
bicyclists and pedestrians spanning the length of US 1 - this project will be vital in improving the
quality of life for the citizens of Monroe County. Enthusiasm for the project has been over-
whelming.
The CME will promote the Florida Keys Scenic Highway to Local Residents through the follow-
mg:
. Development of a membership program to encourage citizens to contribute to the ongoing
development and success of the scenic highway.
. Special Events highlighting the unique resources of the Keys. Events will include major
bike and run races as well as fishing tournaments. Some events will be tailored to locals
during "off" season.
. Interpretive signage depicting the historic significance of the area.
. Business sponsorships ofthe highway - awarding "Scenic Highway Partnerships" to busi-
nesses that either contribute financially to the scenic highway or make significant improve-
ments to the appearance of their businesses.
Existing Tourists
The Keys already exhibit a significant amount of tourists and there is a great debate over whether
or not the Keys can sustain additional visitors. Throughout the corridor designation process the
position has been that by promoting the scenic highway and it's cultural, historical and recrea-
tional areas, including the Overseas Heritage
~~"f~''':~~'ll''~~~'\~~\''lI'~~''''~''"'~~'''f?''7''''''~~ Trail (bike and pedestrian) and blue-ways
(kayak and canoe trails), the highway itself can
become the destination.
The hope is that current visitors to the Keys will
spend more time exploring the length of the
Keys in addition to the typical tourist destina-
tions. With added enhancements through the
Scenic Highway designation more of these visi-
tors will be able to leave their cars behind, and
explore the Keys by bike, foot and boat
Southernmost Point in Continental U.S.. Key West
Page 88
The CME will promote the Florida Keys Scenic Highway to Existing Tourists through the following:
. Development of brochures depicting areas of interest, including historical and recreational.
. Development of a detailed Keys wide bike and pedestrian map that includes all local trails
that exist along and off of the highway as well as a "Blue-Way" map depicting canoe and
kayak trails.
. Interpretive signage depicting the historic significance of the area.
. Special "in" season events in partnership with existing cultural institutions targeted to visit-
ing tourist.
Bicyclists
A CME priority action item for the Scenic Highway is coordination with FDEP to complete the
Overseas Heritage Trail. This major bike and pedestrian trail that will span the entire length of
the Florida Keys and US I by route over the Old Keys Bridges will become a major destination
for bicyclists around the county and the globe.
The CME is well aware of the potential impact for local businesses and commu-
nities. It is desirable to target bicyclist who will explore the islands with low-
impact results. Through the increase of "non-motorized" tourists to the Keys,
local businesses can be strengthened while minimizing the negative impacts of
increased tourism on residents. Bicyclist could become a large user group of the
scenic corridor.
The CME will promote the Florida Keys Scenic Highway to Bicyclists
through the following:
. Promotional ads in targeted magazines, newspapers and info-articles.
. Special race events promoting the scenic highway and the Overseas
Heritage Trail.
. Development of a detailed Keys wide bike and pedestrian map that
includes all local trails that exist along and off ofthe highway.
Wildlife and Nature LOlfer5
Efforts to diversify the types of tourists in the Keys will be evident in a tar-
geted approach to attract more naturalists to the Keys. By enhancing scenic
areas and overlooks, creating additional recreational opportunities that are
land and sea based and preserving existing natural areas - naturalists will
continue to view the Keys as a nature lover's paradise. Through careful
planning and management of the Keys' existing natural resources, including
the removal of invasive exotic species, the desire of wildlife enthusiasts can
be balanced with the low impact requirements of native plants and animals.
The CME will promote the Florida Keys Scenic Highway to Wildlife and
Nature Lovers through the following:
. Developing interpretive signage that depicts the wildlife of the Keys
and the areas available for observation.
Page 89
Chapter 10
. Creating nature trail guides to help the naturalist experience the Keys in a low impact man-
ner yet allow them the experience of being in the natural environs of the Keys.
. Promotional ads in targeted magazines, newspapers and info-articles.
. Special events in conjunction with existing environmental groups that promote the natural
fauna and animal species of the Florida Keys.
Promotion During the Initial Years
The most visible evidence that US I is a Florida Scenic Highway for residents and visitors to the
Keys during the initial years will be the acceleration of landscaping along various parts of the cor-
ridor, the opening of some Old Keys Bridges for recreation, the addition of several new miles of
bike trails and enhanced rest areas along the Keys.
Given this schedule, initial promotion activities will be geared towards local and seasonal resi-
dents - building on the local support already gathered during the designation process to continue
momentum for these projects. The primary focus will be to show the public some tangible ac-
complishments on the highway (landscaping, increased recreation etc.) Once visible enhance-
ments begin, the CME can begin to implement those strategies outlined for local residents.
Growing and strengthening support on the local level will produce major vital marketing benefits
by getting the message to other target groups.
Long Term Promotion
The CAG envisions that major visual and recreational enhancements to US 1 will take upwards of
10 years. Much of this is dictated by the available funding outlined earlier. Each development
Sunset ..iewlng
.nd Meting
18rraca .t
trail "..al
Fishing _
waterfront
NCnllltion _.
N_ weterfronl
shelter end conceulon8
8lth8l_ w8l8rfront
.....-
Expend turn .... par FOOT
....... PlIln for Tum Le". atucIy
while 8IIowing for tnIl remp end
turn around_ 1I1ua1nlad baIow
Remp to upper
perkl"IL"" l!xl8llng nil
(tr8lI, ADA, mocIlhiI _
end valIlcul8rl --v
- - ---
WiI -'
Trlil route to
Gift Shop and
addltonal
parking
....
...........':..
----
tl;;:;ofP~l-; Right Of Way
New l<!enllty
Sign ~ Entrance
Page 90
will enable the phase-in of different targeted groups in the marketing plan. For example, once the
Overseas Heritage Trail is completed it will be possible to target bicycle groups more effectively.
Once additional natural areas are opened and designated, it will be possible to more effectively
target wildlife and nature lovers. Plans to develop a system of interpretive signage depicting his-
torical sites within the Keys will enable new marketing strategies geared to existing tourists.
Phasing in promotion to the target groups described above is the best assurance that the CME will
not "oversell" the scenic highway ahead of infrastructure improvements. However, the CME
does feel that it can begin promotion to most target groups within the first 1-5 years of designa-
tion.
Measuring Success
Public input into the Florida Keys Scenic Highway designation process has shown that success
has different meanings for different people and groups. For the business community, success
could be measured by increased sales as people spend more time along the highway. For local
and seasonal residents, success can be measured in the beautification of their "Main Street-
US I" and the recreational opportunities that become available to them along the highway.
Increased vehicular traffic would not be considered a success to many local and seasonal resi-
dents. On the other hand, the business community would not consider tourists that are attracted to
the Keys but might be less likely to spend money at local shops a success. The CME will work
closely with Civic Groups, Community Groups and Chambers' of Commerce to ensure that a bal-
ance is achieved between the competing desires of all these groups.
The CME will work closely with the Tourist Development Council (TDC) of Monroe County to
determine whether or not the targeted tourists markets are being reached. The TDC has already
developed sophisticated measuring techniques that help businesses understand the demographics
of visitors to the Keys - charting room stays, prices paid, affluence of visitors, source of referrals,
dollar per visitor spent and the activities that tourist participate in while visiting.
The CME will coordinate with the Toe to add surveying methods that help evaluate visits made
to the Keys because of promotional activities related to the Scenic Highway and the Overseas
Heritage Trail. This data will be used to help businesses understand how to sell to this type of
visitor in the Keys.
Measuring success among local and seasonal residents will be easier - the CME just needs to lis-
ten. The CME believes that success to the locals will mean visible, sustained improvements
along the highway with an emphasis on beautification and additional recreation areas. The feed-
back from the local community has helped guide this project from the start and this will not
change once designation is achieved. CAG and CME members will continue to speak with local
organizations and community groups to solicit their opinion and receive critiques of corridor ac-
tivities and progress. Keys residents have shown little problem in voicing their opinion and these
voices will be an excellent barometer in judging successes.
Page 91
Chapter 10
Page 92
a
ter
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND
STRATEGIES
The Florida Scenic Highways Program describes goals, objectives and strategies as "... the build-
ing blocks used to ... implement the vision for the scenic corridor." The Florida Keys Scenic
Highway goals address resource protection, safety, community support, education, and economic
development and represent the Corridor Vision in manageable pieces; the objectives represent
more measurable concepts or ideas for achieving the goals; and the strategies satisfy each objec-
tive with measurable activities and techniques that will be implemented through the Corridor Ac-
tion Plan.
The following goals, objectives, and strategies were developed based on input from members of
the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Advocacy Group and from attendees at public work-
shops held throughout the corridor eligibility and designation process:
Goal 1: Protect, preserve and enhance the resources found within the Florida Keys Scenic
Highway corridor. Provide an integrated environment that allows flourishing habitats for
indigenous plant and animal communities while permitting appropriate access to these re-
sources consistent with sound environmental planning.
Objective 1.1: Manage vegetation along the corridor in order to preserve, maintain and
enhance the natural resources and scenic views.
Strategy 1.1.1: Develop a comprehensive vegeta-
tion management plan that:
. identifies areas within the corridor where
exotic or invasive species are concentrated
and where views are obstructed;
. develops an appropriate methodology for
selective clearing within these areas that
will maintain the environmental integrity
ofthe corridor; and,
. prioritizes selective clearing projects.
Strategy 1.1.2: Provide information directly, or
through other land management agencies, to pri-
vate property owners along the FKSH regarding
the importance of vegetation management and de-
scribing environmentally sensitive methodologies.
Public Forum. November 18.
2000
Page 93
Objective 1.2: Ensure that design and construction along the FKSH corridor preserves,
"",intains and enhances its scenic and natural resources.
Strategy 1.2.1: Coordinate with FDOT to design and construct guardrails that enhance
or, at a minimum, do not detract from the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Strategy 1.2.2: Coordinate with local governments, utility and telecommunication fa-
cilities providers, and state and federal agencies in developing aesthetic/design guide-
lines for the FKSH corridor, including provision of enhanced landscape buffers and me-
dians, to assist these entities and adjacent property owners in the design and construc-
tion of their projects.
Strategy 1.2.3: IdentifY specific scenic vistas that warrant preservation and work with lo-
cal governments to develop land and viewshed protection strategies.
Objective 1.3: Enhance recreational opportunities along the FKSH corridor.
Strategy 1.3.1: Enhance existing roadside parks and design new ones to include ameni-
ties such as boardwalks, picnic areas, hiking trails, and wildlife observation areas where
appropriate.
Strategy 1.3.2: Coordinate with Monroe County, FDOT and FDEP in the restoration of
the Old Keys Bridges as pedestrian facilities that include opportunities for hiking, bicy-
cling, fishing, boat ramps, picnicking, etc.
Goal2: Preserve US 1 as an arterial highway that safely accommodates the needs of both
vehicular and non-motorized nsen, and provide opportunities for alternative modes of
transportation throughout the corridor while providing access to natural areas, connecting
communities and neighborhoods, and enhancing cultural resources.
Objective 2.1: Coordinate with the FDEP, FDOT and all other local, state andfederal
agencies in planning activities within the FKSH corridor, or plans that may have an effect
on the corridor.
Strategy 2.1.1: Participate in the development and implementation of the Overseas
Heritage Trail, an interconnected linear trail for shared use, recreational use, and alterna-
tive transportation uses incorporating existing local pathways and the Historic Bridges
along the US 1 corridor from MM 0 (Key West) to MM 106.5 (Key Largo).
Strategy 2.1.2: Participate in the development and implementation of the following lo-
cal governments' plans for the FKSH corridor within their jurisdictions: Islamorada,
Village of Islands; Key Colony Beach; Key West; Layton; Marathon; and, Monroe
County .
Strategy 2.1.3: Coordinate with the Florida Department
of Transportation in the development ofthe Five-Year
Work Program for District 6.
Objective 2.2: Provide for the safety of pedestrians and
motorists within the FKSH corridor.
Pigeon Key Train
Page 94
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
Strategy 2.2.1: Ensure the safety of the trail by providing secure trailheads, bathrooms,
rest stops with shelter, drinking water, periodic call boxes or telephones, and safe travel
clearances for all trail users.
Strategy 2.2.2: Identify roadway improvements necessary to promote ease and safety of
access into and within the corridor for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Strategy 2.2.3: Provide safe pullouts and pull offs along the scenic highway corridor.
Strategy 2.2.4: Monitor accident rates along the highway to identify future improve-
ment needs.
Goal3: Provide residents and business of the Florida Keys with a variety ofopportuni-
ties to participate in the planning and implementation of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Corridor Management Pla~ based on their interests, skills, and time they can offer to the
effort.
Objective 3.1: Provide a variety of opportunities for public involvement in the Corridor
Management Planning process and in its implementation.
Strategy 3.1.1: Schedule regular meetings ofthe Scenic Highway CAG/CME that are
open to and advertised to the public.
Strategy 3.1.2: Assure that CME membership includes a wide range of residents and
business owners from throughout the Keys.
Strategy 3.1.3: Develop partnerships with other private and public entities to share in-
formation and planning activities.
Strategy 3.1.4: Ensure that widespread public involvement is incorporated as an inte-
gral element of any planning projects within the corridor.
Objective 3.2: Develop an on-going citizen participation/education program to update
citizens on activities of the Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan.
Strategy 3.2.1: Participate in a speaker's bureau or similar organization and educate
the citizens ofthe Keys on activities of the CMP.
Strategy 3.2.2: Partner with the public schools and colleges to notify students about
corridor activities.
Goal 4: Provide educational opportunities that wiD heighten awareness ofthe globally
unique scenic elements of the Florida Keys by interpreting the rich and unique historical,
archaeological, cultural, and natural resources of the Keys that are united by US 1, the
transportation backbone of the region.
Objective 4.1: Promote the Overseas Heritage Trail as an outdoor classroomfor the
Keys' citizens, school children, and visitors, advocating respectfor the natural, historical,
and cultural resources found along the US I-based trail corridor.
Page 95
Chapter I I
Strategy 4.1.1: Conduct an interpretive signage study to identifY the location and con-
tent of interpretive signs along the highway corridor. This signage study should include
archaeological, environmental, and cultural aspects of the area.
Strategy 4.1.2: Construct information kiosks that explain the cultural and historical sig-
nificance of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway.
Strategy 4.1.3: Develop brochures and audio tours of the highway corridor that empha-
size the unique environmental resources and the culture and history of the highway.
Strategy 4.1.4: Coordinate with Federal, State and local preservation agencies and or-
ganizations to promote the preservation and interpretation of historic resources.
Strategy 4.1.5: Coordinate with the Monroe County Arts Council to encourage public
art within the corridor that complements the interpretation of its natural, historical and
cultural resources.
GoalS: Provide a corridor experience that enhances environmental-friendly regional ec0-
nomic development, oriented primarily towards eco-tourism with appropriate recreational
and commercial support opportunities.
Objective 5.1: Provide co"idor improvements that will enhance interaction with local
businesses along the US 1 corridor.
Strategy 5.1.1: Provide amenities such as the Overseas Heritage Trail, trailheads, land-
scape planting, intersection improvements, and rest stops that are strategically placed for
maximum connectivity with US 1 businesses.
Objective 5.2: Provide information to residents, visitors and potential visitors.
Strategy 5.2.1: Develop a standardized joint (private/public) brochure that promote the
services and amenities within the corridor. Coordinate with local and regional tourism-
related businesses to distribute this promotional information.
Strategy 5.2.2: Develop an internet web page that promotes the services and amenities
within the corridor and link this web page to local, regional, state and international tour-
ism-related websites.
Objective 5.3: Coordinate promotional campaigns with businesses and touris,.reJated as-
sociations along the highway co"idor.
Strategy 5.3.1: Develop a series of promotional events related to the resources within
the corridor that will promote awareness of the corridor. These could include events such
as marathons, cleanup days, cultural festivals, bicycle races, fishing tournaments, etc.
Page 96
ha
ter
I
ACTION PLAN
The Action Plan for the Florida Keys Scenic Highway represents a compilation of input gathered
from concerned citizens over more than three years and suggests a course of action for the preser-
vation, protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the intrinsic resources of the scenic highway
corridor. Input was obtained from workshops, public meetings, letters, and oral comments from
citizens. In addition, a very detailed survey was conducted in conjunction with the development
of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan that asked questions relating to trail ele-
ments, all of which would be located within or adjacent to the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Cor-
ridor. In fact, the questionnaire was designed to be used as part of the analysis requirement for
the Eligibility Application for the scenic corridor. The questions asked were:
. What type of recreation do you enjoy?
. What are the various types of amenities and facilities you would like to see along the
amenities and facilities along the Trail?
. What do you see as an important function of this Trail System?
. What do you think about environmental education and/or historical interpretation along the
Trail route?
. What are some problematic traffic congested areas and/or road hazard areas along the pro-
posed Trail route?
. How frequently would you use the Trail?
On the following pages, the Action Items are presented in the chronological order that they are to
be initiated, beginning in 2001, and spanning over the next five to eight years. Linkage to Goals
refers to how an Action Plan item relates to one or more of the five goals originally stated in the
Eligibility Documentation and later expanded in the Designation Documentation to include ob-
jectives and strategies to accomplish those goals.
Each item is described in general terms in the
Plan of Action and wiIl be further refined at the
time the CME deems it appropriate to initiate a
specific Action Item. Entities Responsible for
Implementation lists any individual, agency or
organization that would be likely to participate
in any part of the action item. The Special C on-
siderations heading highlights areas of concern
that need to be considered throughout the imple-
mentation phases ofthe action item. Finally, the
Possible Funding Sources heading lists any Public Forum. November 2000
sources of funding that can be identified at the
present time.
Page 97
ACTION ITEM I
FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC HIGHWAY WEB SITE
Linkage to Goals: Goal 5 - Objective 5.2 - Strategy 5.2.2
Action Schedule: 200 I (ongoing)
, ", .- -~,
~~
CLEAN rEi~.~
IlIIo lot lfoo ~ z__
~ .n :;___.__~n~__~. __~-m_J.--ij' ~. a
.. ro;,,~,.~ .. M.h "-' ................. .... NIl
'1- ....''''-__
i, K"PAm.ric,,[lll'8utihll-.Mtian'I~pubIi, ',ectItRlIOftOflWliZ"ton
Mm,." ct.oclted ...1&16310 '~1I ~ to t_......lpon.itIi1ity for
'''ancine thP IDeal CGINIlUnlY _l'OnmenI. Their pIDpIIftS.. mc..-d M
.nM*nIl.....1I .0 lIIC1Iun.M .~. tool, end ,.Iourt. to work to...... te
eNII. more bItNitJlIl'lCl bitter quIIly CGmIIlUNtie,
KEEP
:AMf1tICA
.l
-
-".
'-'-to
........--
--
--
...
..--
............-....
--
-...
1Wapt..-w.o...
~.r-, Keep FhUid13, 8ellUlfful., .... nanp_, IOuCMioMt, QIIMIilMlon
llwoup lit .11...., kMp FloridI BMdtfulllilWk, 'IIlIItl the .... at Fieri. to
~ - promo.. be,utkltion ancIlIrter ....nIbl, dllMIP campellftl, Ind atNt'
l'IIIIld Itrolt.
~
Flnrida Greenways and TIiitl1s. Wormltiorl .ut Florid,',~. or
Gl'HfMllys ,lid T,.i1, wilt*l till Flaridl OepIrlmenl of E!Nifunned11 PmtlClia"
AltO hi' . link 10 CONtEC'l1ONS. . biMllftthly ......... focusing 0l'I
VrMnMJImd nil. ...... Ind ".un throughout F1oridl.
/.."",*
f~-\
. \
Florida Oepl'l"mOfll (If fnvtmnmBntllt "'roUtdiall . Iii on. mINi mo~ d.....
agent... in It. gGIIIlMl..m. Not OIlly does OEP pf'Dtec1 .ir .,8My, ....r
qu8ly .ut .'UN ~ wn&e rntn.".nt, thl Flaridt OEP is ,I..
fBpOMIMe b 152 _lite p_, 8Ild alhet' reaelllion.l~s and ....., b _a.
letMtie.
a The rtatufO Consmvancy -a nanproM UrpniZlilhonlo1Jftd8d in 1961, is...
,.iQ:,." woMs llrgesl p"'. intMlatiDrlal con8\lition gl'DlJp VVoOOng vnlh
~ ~.:SrNl';:t:t:!I:'e:-=d peot*, the~ prulect milllmlS aI leNS oIw.1uabla
..........-....
liin ---
.:J
--..----.--~.-'~-~--.,-~'~-~---T-r.iiiiOOi-;,
, Plan of Action: Expand the Clean Florida
6 Keys Web Site section devoted to the Flor-
ida Keys Scenic Highway to include up-
dated information and community participa-
tion opportunities on all projects and activi-
ties occurring within the corridor on an on-
going basis - including CME, governmental
agency and Overseas Heritage Trail plan-
ning and construction activities. Link this
web site to other applicable web sites.
Entities Responsible for Implementation:
CME
Special Considerations: Responsibility for
updates and maintenance.
Possible Funding Sources: Grants, cash donations and in-kind volunteer service.
ACTION ITEM 2
CME ORGANIZATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Linkage to Goals: Goals 1,2 and 3 - Objectives 1.3,2.1 and 3.1 - Strategies 1.3.2,2.1.1, 3.1.1-3. I.3
Action Schedule: 2001
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME
Special Considerations: May require a consultant and direct costs for workshop materials and hand-
outs.
Possible Funding Sources: Florida Scenic Highways Program technical assistance, FDOT Dis-
trict 6 discretionary funds, local government funds, other grant funds, and private donations.
Page 98
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS AND ANAL YSIS
ACTION ITEM 3
FLORIDA KEYS SCENIC HIGHWAY MASTER PLAN
Linkage to Goals: Goal 1 - Objectives 1.2 and 1.3 - Strategies 1.2.1-1.2.3 and 1.3.1
Action Schedule: 2001-2003
Plan of Action: Submit a National Scenic Byways Grant application to hire a consultant to de-
velop a Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan that will include the following:
. Detailed mapping and definition of scenic and other intrinsic resources - Viewsheds, main-
streets, etc.
. Using criteria adopted by the CME, identify vacant parcels that are most critical to the pres-
ervation or protection of intrinsic resources within the corridor, that would provide access
to intrinsic resources and/or that would provide for corridor amenities such as rest areas,
overlooks, trailheads for the Overseas Heritage Trail
. Develop guidelines and sample "theme" designs for scenic highway elements to be incor-
porated into project development- guardrails, lighting, signage, etc
. Develop three demonstration construction projects that are "ready-to-go" for purposes of
grant applications - one for the lower, middle and upper Keys.
. Identify funding sources that can be used for all elements of the Scenic Highway Master
Plan
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME, Monroe County
Special Considerations: Coordination with local governments and other governmental agencies
with management jurisdiction within the corridor, consistency with plans for the Overseas Heri-
tage Trail, participation of public and private property owners, compliance with FDOT traffic en-
gineering standards and specifications.
Possible Funding Sources: National Scenic Byways Grant with matching funds from local gov-
ernments, FDOT District 6, other grants funds, and/or private donations.
ACTION ITEM 4
SUPPLEMENT SPECIFIC PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FLORIDA KEYS
OVERSEAS HERITAGE TRAIL
Linkage to Goals: Goal 1; Objective 1.3; Strategies 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
Action Schedule: 2001-2005
Plan of Action: Assist FDEP in public participation activities, pursuit of matching funding
sources, and coordination with local governments and other agencies and organizations, based on
conceptual plans identified in the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan (August
2000). This assistance will be provided to DEP to supplement planning and development of
amenities and facilities associated with the FKOHT such as development of trailhead structures
and amenities, landscaping, renovations of the Old Keys Bridges for non-motorized uses, and
other facilities identified throughout the Trail implementation process.
Page 99
Chapter 12
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME
Special Considerations: DEP matching funds are contingent on legislative appropriations. DEP
is the agency responsible for all management and administrative activities within the Overseas
Heritage Trail State Park.
Possible Funding Sources: Grants, Monroe County and its municipalities, FOOT, private donations
ACTION ITEM 5
INCORPORATE CMP ELEMENTS INTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Linkage to Goals: Goal 2 - Objective 2.1 - Strategy 2.1.2
Action Schedule: 2002-2003
Plan of Action: Coordinate with Monroe County and its municipalities to develop and incorpo-
rate the following required CMP elements in their comprehensive plans: a map displaying the
scenic corridor; the Corridor Vision statement; and Goals, Objectives and Strategies related to the
specific local government. The following locations within a comprehensive plan allow effective
implementation ofa scenic highway corridor designation: the community's Vision Statement and
the Future Land Use, Transportation, Conservation, Coastal Management, and Recreation and
Open Space plan elements.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME, Monroe County, each municipality in the Keys
Special Considerations: Coordination with other governmental agencies with management juris-
diction within the corridor, consistency with Overseas Heritage Trail Master Plan, participation of
public and private property owners.
Possible Funding Sources: N/ A
ACTION ITEM 6
DEVELOP OR STRENGTHEN COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITY ORDINANCES
Linkage to Goals: Goal 1 - Objective 1.2 - Strategies 1.2.2 and 1.2.3
Action Schedule: 2002-2003
Plan of Action: Coordinate with Monroe County and its municipalities to review and develop
new or strengthen existing land development regulation ordinances as needed to assure consis-
tency with and furtherance of the FKSH goals, objectives and strategies. So~e of the issues that
might be addressed are location and design of utility facilities within the corridor and native vege-
tation management relating to the corridor's unique habitats.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME, Monroe County and its municipalities.
Special Considerations: Notification and participation of any affected private property owners, util-
ity providers and other governmental entities having jurisdiction within or adjacent to the corridor.
Possible Funding Sources: N/ A
Page 100
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS AND ANAL YSIS
ACTION ITEM 7
COMPREHENSIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
Linkage to Goals: Goal 1 - Objective 1.1 - Strategies
1.1. 1 and 1.1.2
Action Schedule: 2003-2004
Plan of Action: Hire a consultant to develop a "Vegetation
Management Plan" that is based on vegetation indigenous
to the different habitats within the scenic highway corridor.
The project will include development and production of an
illustrative guide that identifies native vegetation species
within each of the habitats located within the corridor and
offers suggestions for landscaping "themes" for various
Keys communities based on the unique habitat and charac-
ter of each community. The guide will also include recommendations that will assist public and
private property owners to identify native vegetation, learn how to selectively clear non-native
species, and replant native vegetation where appropriate.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME
Special Considerations: Coordination with Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
Monroe County and its municipalities, FDOT, utility providers, and public and private property
owners within the corridor.
Possible Funding Sources: Urban Forestry Council Grants, other grants, cash donations and in-
kind volunteer service from environmental and horticultural agencies and organizations.
ACTION ITEM 8
KEY LARGO "GATEWAY" TO SCENIC HIGHWAY
Linkage to Goals: Goal 2 - Objective 2.1 - Strategy 2.1.1
Action Schedule: 2004-2005
Plan of Action: Coordinate with the FDEP, Monroe County Planning Department, the Key Largo
Chamber of Commerce and other Key Largo resource organizations to develop a "gateway" en-
trance to the Florida Keys Scenic Highway and Overseas Heritage Trail in Key Largo at the inter-
section of US 1 and CR 905. This may be one of the demonstration projects identified in Action
I tern 1.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME, Monroe County.
Special Considerations: Probably need to hire professional design consultant, notification and
participation of private property owners and business owners, FDOT traffic engineering standards
and specifications.
Possible Funding Sources: Monroe County, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce and/or FDOT
District 6 for design funds, Highway Beautification Council Grant for construction funding
Page 101
ACTION ITEM 9
SCENIC HIGHWAY BROCHURE
Linkage to Goals: Goal 4 - Objective 4.1 - Strategy 4.1.3
Action Schedule: 2004-2005
Plan of Action: Develop and distribute a standardized joint private/public brochure that identifies
the natural, historical, recreational, environmental and scenic aspects of the Florida Keys Scenic
Highway corridor. The brochure will also promote the services and amenities within the corridor.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: Florida Keys Scenic Highway Corridor Management
Entity
Special Considerations: May need to hire a professional design consultant, coordination with
local and regional tourism-related businesses, FDOT , FDEP and other public and private prop-
erty owners within the corridor.
Possible Funding Sources: Donations of volunteer labor and cash, grants if available.
ACTION ITEM 10
INTERPRETIVE PLAN
Linkage to Goals: Goal 4 - Objective 4.1 - Strategy 4.1.1
Action Schedule: 2004-2005
Plan of Action: Identify locations, design e~hibits and arrange for installation and maintenance
of informational kiosks at each location that interpret the major cultural, historical, archaeologi-
cal, recreational and scenic resources. These kiosks could incorporate video and audio or both.
Construction of interpretive facilities should take into account protection from vandalism and the
weather.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME
Special Considerations: Coordinate with FOOT,
FDEP, Florida Department of State, Division of His-
torical Resources, Monroe County and municipalities
and private businesses.
Historic Adderly House
Page 102
BACKGROUND CONDITIONS AND ANAL YSIS
Possible Funding Sources: Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources for
historical interpretive facilities, private grants and donations.
ACTION ITEM II
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PLAN
Linkage to Goals: Goal 2 - Objectives 2.1 and 2.2 - Strategies 2.1.3, 2.2.1-2.2.4
Action Schedule: 2004-2005
Plan of Action: Develop a pedestrian safety plan that will include locations and design!
construction alternatives for: pavement markings, pedestrian (and/or vehicular) signals, pedes-
trian-friendly intersection improvements (including traffic-calming elements), guard rails, peri-
odic call boxes, safe travel clearances, safe pullouts, etc.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: FDOT
Special Considerations: Review traffic accident data to identify hazardous locations, consis-
tency with plans for Overseas Heritage Trail facilities
Possible Funding Sources: FDOT
ACTION ITEM 12
SIGNAGE PLAN
Linkage to Goals:
Action Schedule: 2004-2005
Plan of Action: Develop a signage coordination plan for Florida Keys Scenic Highway, Overseas
Heritage Trail, and street, regulatory, and highway signage. This plan will take into consideration
the signs designed by the Florida Keys Scenic Highway Master Plan and the Overseas Heritage
Trail Master Plan.
Entities Responsible for Implementation: CME, Monroe County, FDOT
Special Considerations: Consistency with FDOT rules and regulations, as well as all local ordi-
nances.
Possible Funding Sources: Grant funds, if available, donations, Monroe County, FDOT, mu-
nicipalities.
Page 103
Chapter 12
Page 104