Item B2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: September 22. 2005 Division: Growth Manaiement
Bulk Item: Yes_ No ...x..- Department: Planning
Staff Contact Person: K. Marlene Conaway
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
The second of two public hearings to adopt an ordinance to amend Policy 216.1.8 of the Monroe County Year 2010
Comprehensive Plan concerning a staged/phased evacuation in the event of a pending major hurricane (category 3-5).
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The first public hearing or "transmittal hearing" was held on May 18, 2005. At that meeting, the BOCC recommended
approval of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan amendment to Policy 216.1.8. The Planning
Department transmitted the proposed amendment to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for consideration.
DCA has reviewed and raised no objections to the amendment
PREVIOUS REVELANT BOCC ACTION:
The Board passed and adopted Resolution 018-2005 supporting the implementation of a staged hurricane evacuation
process. The Board adopted Transmittal Resolution 172-2005 on May 18, 2005 supporting the proposed amendment
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval
TOTAL COST: N/A BUDGETED: Yes _No N/A
COST TO COUNTY: N/A SOURCE OF FUNDS: N/A
REVENUE PRODUCING: YesN/A No_ AMOUNT PER MO Year
-
APPROVED BY: County Attorney ~
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPRO V AL:
DOCUMENTATION: Included ~ Not Required_
DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM # 13-:2..
MONROE COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT
POLICY 216.1.8
STAGEDIPHASED HURRICANE EVACUATION
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MARATHON
SEPrEMBER 22, 2005
MONROE COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT
POLICY 216.1.8
STAGED/PHASED HURRICANE EVACUATION
A REQUEST BY MONROE COUNTY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO AMEND POLICY 216.1.8 OF THE
MONROE COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONCERNING
A STAGED/PHASED HURRICANE EVACUATION.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff: Approval March 24, 2005 Staff Report
DRC: Approval March 24, 2005 Resolution #D -05
pc: Approval May 11,2005 Resolution #P -05
BaeC: Approval May 18, 2005 Resolution 172-2005
BOCC ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. -2005
AN ORDINANCE BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS APPROVING A REQUEST FILED BY THE
PIANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO
AMEND THE MONROE COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSNE
PLAN, POLICY 216.1.8 CONCERNING A STAGEDIPHASED
EVACUATION IN THE EVENT OF A PENDING MAJOR HURRICANE
(CATEGORY 3-5).
WHEREAS, Monroe County is required to amend the Work Program set forth by Policy
101.2.13 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, within the current year, Year 8, Monroe County is required to complete a
comprehensive analysis of hurricane evacuation issues in the Florida Keys and develop strategies to
reduce actual hurricane clearance times and thereby reduce potential loss of life from hurricanes;
and
WHEREAS, Monroe County anticipates meeting the requirements concerning hurricane
evacuation set forth by the Work Program by amending Policy 216.1.8; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners transmitted this as a draft ordinance to
the Department of Community Affairs for its review and comment; and
WHEREAS, on September 6, 2005, the Department of Community Affairs made no
objections, recommendations or comments regarding this proposed amendment; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners held the second of two public hearings
on the proposed amendment on September 22, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is a result of research and analysis
performed by the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group met for five
months to address the ability to safely and efficiently evacuate the residents and tourists of the
Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, of the four alternatives analyzed by the Working Group, the staged evacuation
option was considered the quickest and most effective means of significantly reducing clearance
time; and
WHEREAS, a staged evacuation process will allow for a safer evacuation of the Florida
Keys by requiring the tourists, non-residents, and other categories of evacuees to complete their
evacuations prior to the inception of the evacuation of residents; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group proposed the local governments in the Florida Keys agree
to the concept of a "staged evacuation process," and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners passed and adopted Resolution 018-2005
supporting the implementation of a staged hurricane evacuation process in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is consistent with the goals,
objectives and policies of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the amendment is specifically consistent with Goal 216 and Objectives 101.2
and 216.1 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the amendment is consistent with F.A.C. Chapters 91-5, Florida Statutes,
Chapter 163, and The Principles for Guiding Development.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The Board of County Commissioners finds that the proposed Text amendment
furthers and is consistent with the Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan; and
Section 2. In order to implement the procedures to achieve and maintain an overall 24-hour
hurricane evacuation clearance time for the resident population Policy 216.1.8 of the
Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan shall be amended to read as follows:
I Strik-e throagh text is deleted Underlined text is new I
Policy 216.1.8:
..\s difeetes by the DepartmeRt of EmergeRey MaRagemeRt, MOBfee CaaRty shall implemeRt
proeedares far the orserly elosiag aBS eYlaooatiaR af hotels, matels, RV parks, mabile heme parks,
campgroaRss, aBS state aBd eaant)" parks iR aeeerdaBee ',lith t:he Momae ooanty HHffieane
PreparesRess EvaeuatiaR aRs Shelter PlaB. The eoaRty shall re~aire that aperatafs of traBSieRt
faeilities Ratify gaests of the e'laeaatiaR preeesare saring eheek iR throagh oat the hameaBe
seaSOH. The plaB shall be momtared aHs apsates OR aR 8Bffiial basis [91 5.012(3)(e)4].
Proposed Policy 216.1.8:
In the event of a pending major hurricane (category 3-5) Monroe County shall implement the
following staged/phased evacuation procedures to achieve and maintain an overall 24-hour
hurricane evacuation clearance time for the resident population:
1. ApJlroximately 48 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of non-
residents. visitors. recreational vehicles CRY's). travel trailers. live-aboards (transient and
non-transient). and military personnel from the Keys shall be initiated. State parks and
campgrounds should be closed at this time or sooner and entry into the Florida Keys by non-
residents should be strictly limited.
2. Approximately 36 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of
mobile home residents. special needs residents. and hospital and nursing home patients from
the Keys shall be initiated.
3. Approximately 30 hours in advance of tropical stonn winds. a mandatory phased evacuation
of pennanent residents by evacuation zone (described below) shall be initiated. Existing
evacuation zones are as follows:
a. Zone 1- Key West. Stock Island and Key Haven to Boca Chica Bridge (MM 1-6)
b. Zone 2 - Boca Chica Bridge to West end of 7-mile Bridge (MM 6-40)
c. Zone 3 - West end of 7-Mile Bridge to West end of Long Boat Key Bridge (MM 40-
~
d. Zone 4 - West end of Long Boat Key Bridge to CR 905 and CR 905A intersection
(MM 63-106.5)
e. Zone 5 - 905A to. and including Ocean Reef (MM 106.5-126.5)
The actual sequence of the. evacuation by zones will vary depending on the individual stonn. The
concepts embodied in this staged evacuation procedures should be embodied in the appropriate
County operational Emergency Management Plans.
The evacuation plan shall be monitored and updated on an annual basis to reflect increases.
decreases and or shifts in population: particularly the resident and non-resident populations [91-
5.012(3)(c)4].
For the pUfJJose of implementing Policy 216.1.8. this Policy shall not increase the number of
allocations to more than 197 residential units a year. except for workforce housing. Any increase in
the number of allocations shall be for workforce housing only.
Section 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, item, change or provision of this ordinance
is held invalid, the remainder shall not be affected by such invalidity.
Section 4. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby
repealed to the extent of said conflict.
Section 5. The ordinance is hereby transmitted to the Florida Department of Community Affairs
pursuant to Chapter 163 and 380, Florida Statutes.
Section 6. This ordinance shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Florida, but shall not become effective until a notice is issued by the Department of
Community Affairs or Administration Commission finding the amendment in
compliance with Chapter 163, Florida Statutes.
PASSED AND ADOPfED by the Board of County Commissioners of Momoe County,
Florida at a regular meeting held on the day of , A.D., 2005.
Mayor Dixie M. Spehar
Mayor Pro Team Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner David P. Rice
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY:
Mayor Dixie M. Spehar
(SEAL)
ATTEST: DANNY KOHLAGE, CLERK
DEPUTY CLERK
DOCC STAFF REPORT
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Board of County Commissioners
FROM: K. Marlene Conaway
DATE: September 1, 2005
MEETING DATE: September 22, 2005
RE: REVISIONS TO MONROE COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN,
POLICY 216.1.8
I BACKGROUND
The Counties ability to safely and efficiently evacuate the residential and non-residential
populations is a primary safety concern. Momoe County is required to amend the Work Program set
forth in Policy 101.2.13 of the Momoe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan. Within the current
year, year 8, the County is to complete a comprehensive analysis of hurricane evacuation issues in
the Rorida Keys and develop strategies to reduce actual hurricane clearance times and thereby
reduce potential loss of life from hurricanes. The County anticipates accomplishing this by
amending Policy 216.1.8 which requires the County to implement procedures for the orderly closing
and evacuation of the transient, non-resident population. Throughout the hurricane season, the
County required operators of transient facilities to notify guests of the evacuation procedures. The
Plan was to be monitored on a yearly basis. The proposed amendment of this Policy implements the
procedures for an orderly evacuation by staging an evacuation sequence based on the anticipated
arrival of a pending major hurricane. The critical concept of this Policy is that non-residents would
leave the Keys before the evacuation of the residents begin. By evacuating the non-residents first,
the County can achieve and maintain an overall 24-hour hurricane evacuation clearance time for the
resident population.
This Policy is a result of research and analysis performed by the Rorida Keys Hurricane Evacuation
Clearance Working Group. The Working Group was established by Secretary Thaddeus Cohen of
the Rorida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in August of 2004 and has met monthly
between September 2004 and January 2005. The Working Group discussed four alternatives
regarding hurricane evacuation in the Keys including reducing clearance time, special needs
population, a regional evacuation model and equivalency factors. Of the alternatives analyzed by
the group, the staged evacuation option was considered the quickest and most effective means of
significantly reducing clearance time (See the Working Group's summary report attachment for a
more complete background).
The Board reviewed and approved transmittal resolution 172-2005 and DCA has raised no
objections to the proposed amendment.
II ANALYSIS
The Working Group worked within the context of the current Goals, Objectives and Policies of the
Momoe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan that pertained to hurricane evacuation. Staff finds
the amendment of Policy 216.1.8 consistent with the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the Momoe
County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan. Particularly, Goal 216 which requires Momoe County to
provide for hurricane evacuation, shelters, refuges, and communication capabilities to promote
safeguarding of the public against the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. In addition,
Objective 216.1 mandates the County to reduce hurricane evacuation clearance times to 24 hours by
the year 2010. As an "Area of Critical State Concern", Momoe County is also governed by
Chapters 9J -5 and 9J -12 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and Chapter 163 of the Florida
Statutes. The proposed Policy amendment is consistent with 9J-5.012(2)e. The proposed text
amendment will further the following natural disaster planning concerns:
. To consider the number of persons required to evacuate, evacuation routes, evacuation
times.; and
. To protect the special needs of the elderly, handicapped, hospitalized, or other special needs;
and
. To maintain or reduce hurricane evacuation times.
The primary benefit associated with this alternative is the reduction of background traffic during a
mandatory evacuation of Keys residents. This reduction would in turn reduce the estimated
evacuation clearance time for residents by approximately three and a half hours if an early
evacuation of tourists is implemented, and six hours for early evacuation of tourists and mobile
homes.
Finally, this Policy shall be monitored on an annual basis and adjusted as necessary to reflect
increases, decreases and or shifts in the population; particularly resident and non-resident. The
annual monitoring is particularly important as tr~sient and residential dwelling units have recently
been redeveloped from a mobile/transient use to a permanent use.
III FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Pursuant to Policy 101.2.13 of the Momoe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan, a Comp
Plan amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is needed by the County to complete an analysis of
hurricane evacuation issues in the Florida Keys.
2. Staff finds the amendment consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the Monroe
County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
3. Particularly, Staff finds the amendment consistent with Goal 216 and Objective 101.2 and
216.1 of the Momoe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
4. Staff finds the amendment consistent with F.A.C. Chapters 9J-5, Florida Statutes, Chapter
163, and The Principles for Guiding Development.
IV PREVIOUS ACTION
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed and adopted Resolution # 018-2005 on
January 19, 2005 supporting implementation of a staged hurricane evacuation process in Monroe
County, FL. The Resolution was proposed by the Working Group to allow for a safer evacuation of
the Florida Keys by requiring the tourists, non-residents and other categories of evacuees to
complete their evacuations prior to the inception of the evacuation of residents. The amendment of
this Policy further implements this Resolution.
The proposed amendment was reviewed and Approved at regularly scheduled meetings by
Planning Staff, the Development Review Committee on March 24, 2005, the Planning Commission
on May 11, 2005, the BOCC on May 18,2005, and the DCA on September 6,2005.
V PROPOSED TEXT CHANGE
The old language is shown stIlle}( tlHeagh.
The new language is shown underlined.
CarreBt Poliey 216.1.8:
l\S aHeeted 19y the DepartmeDt of EmergeBey Man&gemeBt, MOBf'oe CoaBty shall implemeBt
proeeaares for the oraerly elosiBg aaa e'laeaatioB of hotels, motels, RV parks, mabile heme parks,
campgroaBas, aBa state aBa eeaBty parks iB aeoordaBee wit:B t:Be MefH'ae ooaBty Harrieee
PrepafeaBeSS EvaeaatioB aBa Shelter PlaB. The ooaBty shall feE:J.aire that opefiltors of trftftsieat
facilities Rotify guests of the e'laeaat:ioB proeeaafe aari:a:g e-heelc iB throagB oat the IHlrrieftfte
seaSOB. The plaB shall be meDitorea ana apaatea OB 8ft aflBaal basis [9J 5.012(3)(e)4].
Proposed Policy 216.1.8:
In the event of a pending maior hurricane (category 3-5) Monroe County shall implement the
following staged/phased evacuation procedures to achieve and maintain an overall 24-hour
hurricane evacuation clearance time for the resident population.
1. Apl'roximately 48 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of non-
residents. visitors. recreational vehicles (RV's). travel trailers. live-aboards (transient and
non-transient). and military personnel from the Keys shall be initiated. State parks and
campgrounds should be closed at this time or sooner and entry into the Florida Keys by non-
residents should be strictly limited.
2. ARproximately 36 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of
mobile home residents. special needs residents. and hospital and nursing home patients from
the Keys shall be initiated.
3. ARProximately 30 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory phased evacuation
of permanent residents by evacuation zone (described below) shall be initiated. Existing
evacuation zones are as follows:
a. Zone 1- Key West. Stock Island and Key Haven to Boca Chica Bridge (MM 1-6)
b. Zone 2 - Boca Chica Bridge to West end of 7-mile Bridge (MM 6-40)
c. Zone 3 - West end of 7-Mile Bridge to West end of Long Boat Key Bridge (MM 40-
~
d. Zone 4 - West end of Long Boat Key Bridge to CR 905 and CR 905A intersection
(MM 63-106.5)
e. Zone 5 - 905A to. and including Ocean Reef (MM 106.5-126.5)
The actual sequence of the evacuation by zones will vary depending on the individual storm. The
concepts embodied in this staged evacuation procedures should be embodied in the appropriate
County operational Emergency Management Plans.
The evacuation plan shall be monitored and updated on an annual basis to reflect increases.
decreases and or shifts in population: principally the resident and non-resident populations [.2I:
5.012(3)(c)41
For the purpose of implementing Policy 216.1.8. this Policy shall not increase the number of
allocations to more than 197 residential units a year. except for workforce housing. Any increase in
the number of allocations shall be for workforce housing only.
VI RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Based on the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the recommendations of Planning Staff,
the Development Review Committee, Planning Commission, the Board of County Commissioners
previous approval and the Division of Community Affairs (DCA) recommends APPROVAL to the
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners for the proposed text amendment to Policy
216.1.8 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
Summary Report of the Florida Keys
Hurricane Evacuation Working Group
I Background
The Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group was established by Secretary
Thaddeus Cohen of the Florida Department of Community Affairs in August of 2004. The
Secretary's letter establishing the working group is attached as Appendix 1. The purpose of the
working group was threefold:
(1) To examine the underlying assumptions ofthe Miller hurricane evacuation model, in
the context of the Florida Keys approaching the 24-hour limit for evacuation
clearance time;
(2) To assess building permit equivalency rates across the various local governments in
the Keys and their effects on clearance time;
(3) To complete a comprehensive analysis of hurricane evacuation issues and develop
strategies to reduce hurricane clearance times, specifically examining recent
improvements in hurricane forecasting and developments in Transportation Systems
Management.
Based on these principles, the working group met monthly between September 2004 and January
2005. Its members consisted of one elected official from each local government. The members of
the working group were:
Clyde Burnett - Mayor, City of Key Colony Beach
Charles "Sonny" McCoy - Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Carol MacLaren - Mayor, City of Layton (through November 2004)
Kim Briggs - Mayor, City of Layton (after November 2004)
Randy Mearns - Marathon City Council
Michael Reckwerdt - Islamorada Village Council
Jimmy Weekley - Mayor, City of Key West
Furthermore, members of the public were encouraged to attend working group meetings and
provide their perspectives on the issues.
Topics
The working group addressed a wide range of topics, which fell into five broad categories:
L Background - recent experiences with hurricanes; the Miller model; hurricane
forecasting
2. Transportation - road widening; Transportation Systems Management;
3. Sheltering options - cost/location of shelters
4. Planning- RaGa/property rights; equivalency issues;
5. Evacuation options and issues - timing of evacuation orders
Summaries of the panel's meetings are attached as Appendix 2.
II Recommendations
The working group offered several recommendations regarding hurricane evacuation in the Keys.
These recommendations included the following: (1) reduce clearance time through a staged
evacuation process; (2) increase and improving coordination for the evacuation of special needs
residents; (3) explore the development ofa regional hurricane evacuation model; and (4) establish
more uniform equivalency factors for dwelling units among the various local governments in the
Keys. The recommendations are discussed in more detail below.
1. Reduce Clearance Time
The primary issue facing the group was the question of reducing clearance time. At the moment, the
Keys are just below the mandated 24-hour evacuation time threshold. Four alternatives to reduce
clearance time were presented to the working group. These options consisted of (1) Transportation
Systems Management (TSM) - the use of cones, delineators, signs, and other low-cost, temporary
traffic control devices to create additional outbound travel lanes along US-l during an evacuation
period; (2) the construction of permanent roadway improvements along US-I to increase roadway
capacity during non-evacuation and evacuation periods; (3) a staged/phased evacuation process-
requiring a mandatory evacuation of non-residents, visitors, and recreational vehicles (RVs) from
the Keys approximately 48-hours in advance of sustained tropical storm force winds and (4)
sheltering a portion or all of the Keys population during Category 3-5 hurricanes.
Of the four alternatives, option (3) was considered the quickest and most effective means of
significantly reducing clearance time - a staged evacuation process could be implemented by the
next hurricane season (unlike permanent roadway improvements), would reduce clearance time the
most, according to the evacuation model, and mirrors existing emergency management practices
already in place in Monroe County. However, in order to have the clearance time reduction
reflected in the evacuation model, local governments will need to adopt policies into their
comprehensive plans supporting this alternative - resolutions passed by the local governments in
support of this alternative are attached as Appendix 3.
The working group did not endorse option (I), Transportation Systems Management, which was
perceived as too labor intensive and distracting for law enforcement personnel with at best a
minimal or speculative evacuation benefit. The panel did voice support for option (2), permanent
roadway improvements, but only as an element of a longer-term, regional evacuation plan and with
the understanding that Islamorada vigorously opposes widening US-I through the Village. The
working group recognized that with respect to option (4), sheltering the population in the Keys,
there are currently not enough shelter spaces for the entire population during a Category 3-5 storm,
but that shelters shall be considered for special needs residents as well as under other circumstances
and in the Lower Keys and the City of Key West. The working group also recognized hazards
associated with sheltering large populations and advocated considerable more study. The City of
Key West and Monroe County adopted resolutions that specifically supported the further
consideration of shelters under certain circumstances.
2. Special Needs
Another issue addressed by the working group is the evacuation of the county's special needs
population. This population includes the elderly, homebound, hospitalized, and others, whose
evacuation would require special attention and coordination. In this regard, the hurricane evacuation
clearance working group recommended that local health, law enforcement, and emergency
management personnel work together to ensure better coordination among agencies, so as to be able
to better serve the county's most vulnerable population. The State of Florida Emergency Support
Function (ESF) should serve as a model approach for this coordination.
The issue of providing evacuation for the homeless population was also considered. The Florida
Keys Outreach Coalition will be responsible for the evacuation of the homeless population.
3. Regional Evacuation Model and Coordination
In working group discussions, a recurring theme was the impact oflarge-scale development in
southern Miami-Dade County on the evacuation from the Keys to the mainland. Working group
members recommended developing a.regional evacuation model and securing state funding for such
a project to put hurricane evacuation into a regional context. The working group emphasized the
need to examine what happens to traffic from the Keys when it reaches Florida City and heads
north. The group also recognized the need to formalize coordination of evacuation procedures with
Miami-Dade County.
4. Equivalency Factors
The working group recommended that local planning officials discuss the various equivalency
factors used throughout the county and attempt to devise more uniform standards for counting and
allocating dwelling units. The working group was of the opinion that for modeling purposes as well
as fairness, a standardized method of accounting for dwelling units would be helpful. This
information could then be utilized to update the Miller Model in the future.
III Implementation Steps
As noted above, local governments passed resolutions in favor of a staged evacuation process. The
next step will be to adopt comprehensive plan amendments to formalize this support. The
Department of Community Affairs will work closely with the local governments in this regard and
provide necessary support. The local governments in Monroe County will need to formalize
procedures to ensure the operational implementation of the staged evacuation process. A
recommended approach would be through Memorandums of Understanding among all local
governments in Monroe County.
Furthermore, officials will work cooperatively to ensure that the evacuation of citizens with special
needs is adequately addressed. Secretary Cohen offered assistance from the Division of Emergency
Management. In addition, a DCA staff person will be specifically assigned to continue work on this
effort.
Also, DCA will explore funding for a regional evacuation model to ensure that the impact of
development in Miami-Dade County on the Florida Keys is adequately addressed. Future
hurricanes will most likely be regional issues and as such, a regional model could prove useful for
planning and public safety officials, as well as for coordination among Monroe County and Miami-
Dade County emergency management departments.
Finally, local planners will work together in order to provide more precise inputs into the hurricane
evacuation model, particularly with regard to dwelling unit equivalency factors. The Department of
Community Affairs will assist this effort.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION # P -OS
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. P -05
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY PIANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE REQUEST FILED BY THE PLANNING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO AMEND THE MONROE
COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSIVE PIAN, POllCY 216.1.8
CONCERNING A STAGEDIPHASED EVACUATION IN THE EVENT OF A
PENDING MAJOR HURRICANE (CATEGORY 3-5).
WHEREAS, Monroe County is required to amend the Work Program set forth by Policy
101.2.13 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, within the current year, year 8, Monroe County is required to complete a
comprehensive analysis of hurricane evacuation issues in the Florida Keys and develop strategies to
reduce actual hurricane clearance times and thereby reduce potential loss of life from hurricanes;
and
WHEREAS, Monroe County anticipates meeting the requirements concerning hurricane
evacuation set forth by the Work Program by amending Policy 216.1.8; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is a result of research and analysis
performed by the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group met for five
months to address the ability to safely and efficiently evacuate the residents and tourists of the
Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, of the four alternatives analyzed by the Working Group, the staged evacuation
option was considered the quickest and most effective means of significantly reducing clearance
time; and
WHEREAS, a staged evacuation process will allow for a safer evacuation of the Florida
Keys by requiring the tourist, non-residents, and other categories of evacuees complete their
evacuations prior to the inception of the evacuation of residents; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group proposed the local governments in the Florida Keys agree
to the concept of a "staged evacuation process", and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission adopted the following Findings of Fact:
1. Pursuant to Policy 101.2.13 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan, a
Comp Plan amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is needed by the County to complete an
analysis of hurricane evacuation issues in the Florida Keys.
2. Staff finds the amendment consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the
Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
3. Particularly, Staff finds the amendment consistent with Goal 216 and Objective
101.2 and 216.1 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
4. Staff finds the amendment consistent with F.A.C. Chapters 9J-5, Florida Statutes,
Chapter 163, and The Principles for Guiding Development.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners passed and adopted Resolution 018-2005
supporting the implementation of a staged hurricane evacuation process in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the text change was reviewed and recommended for approval to the Planning
Commission at the Development Review Committee public meeting held on March 24, 2005;
WHEREAS, the text amendment was continued by the Monroe County Planning
Commission during regular public meetings held on April 13 and 27, 2005 and reviewed and
approved by the Monroe County Planning Commission during a regular public meeting held on
May 11, 2005; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the preceding findings support its decision to recommend
APPROVAL to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners of the following amendment
to Policy 216.1.8 the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan as requested by the Monroe
County Planning Department as follows:
The old language is shown struek thrOllgH.
The new language is shown underlined.
Cllrreat Poliey 216.1.8:
As ElireeteEl by the Departmeat of Emergeae)' MaBagemeBt, MOlHoe Cellaty shall implemeat
proeeElllres for the orderly clesiag aBd evaeaatiea of hotels, motels, RV parks, mobile heme parles,
eampyellaEls, aBEl state aDd rollDt)' park-s iD aooorElaBee '{:ith the MOBroe rollat)' HarrieaDe
PrepareElDess Evaetiatioa aDEl Shelter Plaa. The rollDty shall reEtllire tHat operators of traasieDt
faeilities Dotify gaests of the evaeuatioD proeeElllfe duriBg clieek ia tlUOllgH Ollt the IH:lrrieane
seaSOD. The plaD shall be monitored aDd llpElated OD aB amHlal basis [9J 5.012(3)(e)4].
Proposed Policy 216.1.8:
In the event of a pending major hurricane (category 3-5) Monroe County shall implement the
following staged/phased evacuation procedures to achieve and maintain an overall 24-hour
hurricane evacuation clearance time for the resident population.
1. Approximately 48 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of non-
residents. visitors. recreational vehicles CRY's). travel trailers. live-aboards (transient and
non-transient). and military personnel from the Keys shall be initiated. State parks and
campgrounds should be closed at this time or sooner and entry into the Florida Keys by non-
residents should be strictly limited.
2. Approximately 36 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of
mobile home residents. special needs residents. and hospital and nursing home patients from
the Keys shall be initiated.
3. Approximately 30 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory phased evacuation
of permanent residents by evacuation zone (described below) shall be initiated. Existing
evacuation zones are as follows:
a. Zone 1- Key West. Stock Island and Key Haven to Boca Chica Bridge (MM 1-6)
b. Zone 2 - Boca Chica Bridge to West end of 7-mile Bridge (MM 6-40)
c. Zone 3 - West end of 7-Mile Bridge to West end of Long Boat Key Bridge (MM 40-
@
d. Zone 4 - West end of Long Boat Key Bridge to CR 905 and CR 905A intersection
(MM 63-106.5)
e. Zone 5 - 905A to. and including Ocean Reef (MM 106.5-126.5)
The actual sequence of the evacuation by zones will vary depending on the individual storm. The
concepts embodied in this staged evacuation procedures should be embodied in the appropriate
County operational Emergency Management Plans.
The evacuation plan shall be monitored and updated on an annual basis to reflect increases.
decreases and or shifts in population: principally the resident and non-resident populations [9J-
5.012(3)(c)4].
For the purpose of implementing Policy 216.1.8. this Policy shall not increase the number of
allocations to more than 197 residential units a year. except for workforce housing. Any increase in
the number of allocations shall be for workforce housing only.
PASSED AND ADOYfED by the Planning Commission of Momoe County, Florida at a
regular meeting held on the 11th day of May, 2005.
Lynn C. Mapes, Chair YES
Denise Werling, Vice Chair YES
Julio Margalli, Commissioner YES
James D. Cameron, Commissioner YES
Department of Health (by FAX) YES
Department of Public Works (by FAX) YES
Department of Engineering (by FAX) YES
PLANNING COMMISSION OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Lynne C. Mapes, Chair
Signed this day of , 2005
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE RESOLUTION #D -05
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE RESOLUTION NO. -05
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
COMMITIEE RECOMMENDING APPROV AL TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE REQUEST FILED BY THE PLANNING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO AMEND THE MONROE
COUNTY YEAR 2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, POLICY 216.1.8
CONCERNING A STAGED/PHASED EVACUATION IN THE EVENT OF A
PENDING MAJOR HURRICANE (CATEGORY 3-5).
WHEREAS, Monroe County is required to amend the Work Program set forth by Policy
101.2.13 ofthe Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, within the current year, year 8, Monroe County is required to complete a
comprehensive analysis of hurricane evacuation issues in the Florida Keys and develop strategies to
reduce actual hurricane clearance times and thereby reduce potential loss of life from hurricanes;
and
WHEREAS, Monroe County anticipates meeting the requirements concerning hurricane
evacuation set forth by the Work Program by amending Policy 216.1.8; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is a result of research and analysis
performed by the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Clearance Working Group met for five
months to address the ability to safely and efficiently evacuate the residents and tourists of the
Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, of the four alternatives analyzed by the Working Group, the staged evacuation
option was considered the quickest and most effective means of significantly reducing clearance
time; and
WHEREAS, a staged evacuation process will allow for a safer evacuation of the Florida
Keys by requiring the tourist, non-residents, and other categories of evacuees complete their
evacuations prior to the inception of the evacuation of residents; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group proposed the local governments in the Florida Keys agree
to the concept of a "staged evacuation process", and
WHEREAS, the Development Review Committee reviewed the following information:
1. The staff report prepared by Heather Beckmann, dated, March 15,2005; and
WHEREAS, the Development Review Committee adopted the following Findings of Fact:
1. Pursuant to Policy 101.2.13 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan, a
Comp Plan amendment to Policy 216.1.8 is needed by the County to complete an
analysis of hurricane evacuation issues in the Florida Keys.
2. Staff finds the amendment consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the
Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
3. Particularly, Staff finds the amendment consistent with Goal 216 and Objective
101.2 and 216.1 of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan.
4. Staff finds the amendment consistent with F.A.C. Chapters 9J-5, Florida Statutes,
Chapter 163, and The Principles for Guiding Development.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners passed and adopted Resolution 018-2005
supporting the implementation of a staged hurricane evacuation process in Monroe County; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
COMMITTEE OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the preceding findings support its
decision to recommend APPROV AL to the Monroe County Planning Commission of the proposed
text amendment to the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan as follows:
The old language is shown stRiek through.
The new language is shown underlined.
Cl:lff'ee.t Petie)' 21 (;.1.8:
As aireetea by tke D0f3artJ:Beat ef BmergeBe)' ManageI'ReBt, Memee Ce1:lftty sliall impleI'Reat
IJreeeEfttreB fer tAe eraerly elesiag aaa w/aeuatiea efketels, metels, RV IJarks, !HeBile keme IJarlES,
eamIJgF9URaS, aaa state aaa ee1:lftty IJarlcs ia aeeerdanee '.vitA tke Meflfee eel:lRty Humeaae
Pf0fJafetlaess Bvaeuatiea ana Skelter Plan. The ee1:lftty skall f0tliiire tftat eIJeraters ef traasieat
faeilities Ratify guests ef tHe &vaellatiea IJmeeEkH:e auriag ekeek iR tftretlgA. eut tHe ftarfleaae
seaseR. The plaa sliall be meaitefea aRa upaatee ea an ar.fRial Basis [9J 5.012(3)(e)4].
Proposed Policv 216.1.8:
In the event of a pending maior hurricane ( category 3-5) Monroe County shall implement the
following staged/phased evacuation procedures to achieve and maintain an overall 24-hour
hurricane evacuation clearance time for the resident population.
1. Approximately 48 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of non-
residents. visitors. recreational vehicles (RV's). travel trailers. live-aboards (transient and
non-transient). and military personnel from the Keys shall be initiated. State parks and
campgrounds should be closed at this time or sooner and entry into the Florida Keys by non-
residents should be strictly limited.
2. Approximately 36 hours in advance of trooical storm winds. a mandatory evacuation of
mobile home residents. special needs residents. and hospital and nursing home oatients from
the Keys shall be initiated.
3. Aoproximately 30 hours in advance of tropical storm winds. a mandatory phased evacuation
of oennanent residents by evacuation zone (described below) shall be initiated. Existing
evacuation zones are as follows:
a. Zone 1 - Key West. Stock Island and Key Haven to Boca Chica Bridge (MM 1-6)
b. Zone 2 - Boca Chica Bridge to West end of7-mile Bridge (MM 6-40)
c. Zone 3 - West end of7-Mile Bridge to West end of Long Boat Key Bridge (MM 40-
ill
d. Zone 4 - West end of Long Boat Key Bridge to CR 905 and CR 905A intersection
(MM 63-106.5
e. Zone 5 - 905A to. and including Ocean Reef (MM 106.5-126.5)
The actual seauence of the evacuation by zones will Vary depending on the individual storm. The
conceots embodied in this staged evacuation procedures should be embodied in the appropriate
County operational Emergency Management Plans.
The evacuation plan shall be monitored and updated on an annual basis to reflect increases.
decreases and or shifts in population; orincipally the resident and non-resident populations [9J-
5.012(3)( c)4].
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Development Review Committee of Monroe County at a
regular meeting held on the 24th day of March, 2005.
Aref Jou1ani, Senior Administrator of Development Review YES
Heather Beckmann, Planner YES
Ralph Gouldy, Sr. Administrator of Environmental Resources YES
David Dacquisto, Director of Island Planning YES
Department of Health (by FAX) YES
Department of Public Works (by FAX) YES
Department of Engineering (by FAX) YES
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Aref Joulani, DRC Chair
Signed this day of ,2005
County of Monroe
Growth Mana9:ernent Division Board of County Commissioners
2798 Overseas Highway Mayor Dixie Spehar, District 1
Suite 410 Mayor Pro Tern Charles "Sonny" McCoy, District 3
Marathon,l1orida 33050 George Neugent, District 2
Voice: 305.289. 2500 David Rice, District 4
FAX: 305.289. 2536 Murray E. Nelson, District 5
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Timothy J. McGarry, AlCP 6)JJ
DATE: September 13,2005
SUBJECT: Supplemental Staff Report to Proposed Amendments to
Comprehensive Plan: Response to DCA's Objections,
Recommendations, and Comments Report
[Agenda Items B-3 and B-4]
OVERVIEW
As indicated in the staff reports accompanying each ordinance in the agenda package, the staff
believes that the proposed revisions met DCA's concerns; however, the staff did not have a copy of
DCA's written report prior to preparing revisions to the transmitted ordinances. This supplemental
report presents specific staff responses to the DCA's report dated September 6,2005, regarding the
above two ordinances, a copy of which is attached. DCA had no objections to the two proposed
Future Land Use Map amendments and Policy 216.1.8 (Hurricane Evacuation).
RESPONSE TO DCA OBJECTIONS
1. Tier Desienations.
DCA Objection: Data and analysis had not demonstrated that all lands in Tier
ill are of equal environmental sensitivity and therefore should
be given the same number of points under ROGO. The
proposed Tier system only protects "known" habitat for
endangered and threatened species and not parcels identified
on existing maps as "probable or potential" habit for these
species.. Data needs to be provided that no palm and cactus
hammocks exists within unincorporated Monroe County.
DCA Recommendation: County should provide maps that "conceptually" identify
areas identified as Tier I, Tier IT, or Tier ill; clarify that Tier
ill has a Special Protection Area of environmentally sensitive
lands containing hammock of one acre or greater; and, clarify
that Tier IT lands are only located on Big Pine and No Name
Key
County Staff Response: The staff has prepared a series of maps that "conceptually"
identifies all areas designated as Tier I, Tier IT, or Tier ill and
those areas designated as Special Protection Areas in Tier ill
(see maps provided in agenda package) and clarified
language in several places stating that Tier IT lands are only
located on Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
DCA Objection.. Data has not been provided that adequately demonstrates that
all lands with high quality hammock have been designated as
Tier I and that all lands designated as Tier ill are scarified or
low quality hammock. The 90% clearing requirement for
palm and cactus hammocks have been reduced without
showing data that no such habitat exists within
unincorporated Monroe County.
DCA Recommendation: The County should provide supporting maps and a point
system that guides development towards scarified lands by
creating a Special Protection Area and submit data that no
cactus or palm hammocks exist on islands other than Big
Pine Key and No Name Key.
*
County Staff Response: The maps prepared by the staff for this agenda identify all
lands in Tier ill, designated on the 1996 FMRI maps as
containing hammock of one acre or greater, as eligible for
designation as a Special Protection Area. The revised
ordinances provide for the designation of these Special
Protection Areas and the assignment of +20 rather than +30
points in ROGO to any development that proposes to clear
any hammock within a designation Special Protection Area.
The staff will provide information to DCA that the only
remaining palm and cactus hammocks are on public lands on
Big Pine Key and Long Key.
2. Buildine Permit Allocation Exemptions
DCA Objection: DCA staff is concerned that the proposed revisions would
allow both affordable housing allocations and community and
public facilities within habitat proposed for acquisition or on
lots that would have received negative points under the
County's existing regulations. These policies would allow
public facilities within hammocks potentially containing
threatened and endangered species.
DCA Recommendation: The policies should be revised to allow affordable housing
and public facilities on sites that do not require clearing of
hammock.
County Staff Response: Amendments made to the ordinances by staff prohibit the
location of affordable housing within a Special Protection
Area or the location of community/public facilities within a
designated Special Protection Area that results in any clearing
of hammock.
DCA Objection.' The policy revisions as proposed would allow transfer of
RaGa exempt development to environmentally sensitive
sites even though data shows at least 755 such sites in Tier
III.
DCA Recommendation: The County should submit supporting maps that conceptually
identify Tier designations and modify Policy 101.5.8 to
ensure environmentally sensitive site in Special Protection
Areas are not allowed as received sites for RaGa-exempt
development
County Staff Response: As mentioned previously, the maps recommended by DCA
are included in the agenda package. Policy 101.5.8 has been
revised to prohibit the transfer of RaGa-exempt
development to a designated Special Protection Area.
3. Hammock Clearine Limits
DCA Objection: The policies do not provide clear and consistent limitations
on clearing.
DCA Recommendation: Revise policies 101.4.22 and 205.2.7 to include a numerical
cap on clearing for all large or aggregated lots.
County Staff Response: Policy 101.4.22 has been revised to limit clearing to a
maximum of 7,500 square feet, regardless of the amount of
upland vegetative area. Policy 205.27 has been revised to
state that the maximum amount of vegetation that can be
cleared on a lot and still receive points for aggregation under
ROGO is 5,000 square feet.
Attachment
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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Glenda E. Hood
Secretary of Statf""'- .,.
DIVISION OF HISTORICA1RESQURCES .
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.,
July 27,2005 t} U:~ w_ -t ......'""\('r-
I ,. '.~. 1 L U !...) ~~
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Mr. Ray Eubanks ,.., ,.........~ _.~.... ,
..../
Department of Community Affairs ....-...' ~.
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Bureau of State Planning
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Re: Historic Preservation Review of the Monroe County (05-2) Comprehensive Plan
Amendment Request
Dear Mr. Eubanks:
According to this agency's responsibilities under sections 163.3177 and 163.3178, Florida
Statutes, and Chapter 9J-5, Florida Administrative Code, we reviewed the above document to
determine if data regarding historic resources have been given sufficient consideration in the
request to amend the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan.
We reviewed two proposed amendments to the Future Land Use Map, in addition to three text
amendments, to consider the potential effects of these actions on historic resources. While our
cursory review suggests that the proposed changes may have no adverse effects on historic
resources, it is the county's responsibility to ensure that the proposed revisions will not have an
adverse effect on significant archaeological or historic resources in Monroe County.
If you have any questions regarding our comments, please feel free to contact Susan M. Harp of
the Division's Compliance Review staff at (850) 245-6333.
Sincerely,
X~ a~ I~
t Frederick Gaske, Director
500 S. Bronough Street . Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 . http://www.tlheritage.com
[] Director's Office [] Archaeological Research ~ Historic Preservation [] Historical Museums
(850) 245-6300 . FAX: 245-6436 (850) 245-6444 . FAX: 245-6436 (850) 245-6333 . FAX: 245-6437 (850) 245-6400 . FAX: 245-6433
[] Southeast Regional Office [] Northeast Regional Office [] Central Florida Regional Office
(954) 467-4990 . FAX: 467-4991 (904) 825-5045. FAX: 825-5044 (813) 272-3843 . FAX: 272-2340
..,_:
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Objections, Recommendations and Comments Report
Monroe County 05-02 - Proposed Amendment
September 6, 2005
Amendments with obiections
1. Tier Desienations
Policies 101.5.3, 101.5.4, 105.5 and 205.1.1 provide criteria for the designation ofland into a
tiered system. Data and analysis has not been provided demonstrating that all lands in Tier
Three are the same with regard to environmental sensitivity and should therefore be given the
same number of points in the competition for building allocations. Staff research indicates there
are 755 parcels located within contiguous Tropical hardwood hammocks that range from one
acre to four acres in size. Additionally Policy 205.1.1 bases the designation of the tier system
only on "known" habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species and fails to provide protection
for parcels identified on existing maps as "probable or potential" habitat for protected species.
Section 163.3177(6)(a) and (d), (8), and (10)(e); 9J-5.005(2) (a) and (c); 9J-5.013(1)(a)5. and
(2)(c) 6. and 9; Section 187.201(9)(a) and (b)1., 3., and 4., and (15)(b)2.; and Section
380.0552(7)(a), (c), (t) and (I), F.S.
Recommendation: As discussed in our conceptual negotiations, the County should submit
supporting maps that conceptually identify the areas designated Tier One, Tier Three and the
Special Protection Area. The County should clarify that Tier Three has a Special Protection
Area of environmentally sensitive lands containing hammock greater than one acre.
Additionally the County should clarify that Tier Two lands are only located on Big Pine and No
Name Keys.
-~
The amendment to policies 103.2.2,205.2.6,207.1.2,207.10.5,207.12.6 and objective 205.2
delete the requirement for the Habitat Evaluation Index without providing an alternative system
to ensure that the evaluations will not be needed. Data has not been provided that demonstrates
that all lands with high quality hammock have been designated Tier One and that all lands
designated Tier Three are scarified or low quality hammock. Additionally Policy 205.2.6 deletes
the 90 percent open space requirement for palm and cactus hammocks without providing data
and analysis indicating that no palm or cactus habitat exists within unincorporated Monroe
County. Section 163.3177(6)(a) and (d), (8), and (lO)(e); 9J-5.005(2) (c); 9J-5.013(I)(a)5. and
(2)(c) 6. and 9.; Section 187.201 (9)(a) and (b)1., 3., and 4., and (15)(b)2.; and Section
380.0552(7)(a), (c), (t) and (1), F.S.
Recommendation: As discussed in our conceptual negotiations, the County should provide
supporting maps and a point system that guides development toward scarified lands by creating a
Special Protection Area that contains hammocks. Also the County should submit data
demonstrating that no cactus or palm hammocks exist on islands other than Big Pine and No
Name Keys.
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2. Building: Permit Allocation Exemptions
Policies 101.2.4 and 101.3.4 exempt affordable housing allocations, community and public
facilities from the building permit allocation system and deletes previous polices which
prohibited the location of affordable housing within habitat proposed for acquisition, or on lots
that qualified for negative points. These policies would allow public facilities within hammocks
potentially containing habitat for threatened and endangered species. The policies are
inconsistent with proposed Rule 28-20.110 in that the proposed rule only allows, with limited
exceptions, passive recreation facilities on publicly-owned land or land targeted for public
acquisition. 9J-5.013(2)(c)3., 5., 6.; Section 187.201(9)(a) and (b)1., 3., and 4., and (15)(b)2.;
and Section 380.0552(7)(a), (c), (t) and 0), F.S.
Recommendation: As discussed in our conceptual negotiations, the County should revise the
policies to allow affordable housing and public facilities only on sites that do not require clearing
of hammocks.
Policy 101.5.8 revises the transfer of ROGO-exempt development. Under the previous point
system, development could not be transferred to a receiver site if the site would have received
negative points. The proposed policy eliminates language regarding negative points and allows
transfer of ROGO-exempt development to environmentally sensitive sites. Data has not been
provided to assure that Tier Three does not contain environmentally sensitive lands. Staff
research indicates that 755 environmentally sensitive lots are located within Tier Three. 9J-
5.013(2)(c)3., 5., 6.; Section 187.201 (9)(a) and (b)1., 3., and 4., and (15)(b)2.; and Section
380.0552(7)(a), (c), (t) and (1), F.S.
Recommendation: As discussed in our conceptual negotiations, the County should submit
supporting maps that conceptually identify the tier system and modify policy 101.5.8 to ensure
that environmentally sensitive sites within the Special Protection Area are not allowed as
receiver sites for Rogo-exempt development.
3. Hammock Clearing: Limits
Policies 101.4.22 and Policy 205.2.7 establish habitat clearing percentages. Policy 205.2.7
contains a cap on clearing for aggregated lots that receive additional points. Policy 101.4.22
limits habitat clearing to forty percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is greater, within Tier
Three. The policies do not provide clear and consistent limitations on the clearing of habitat.
Also applicants unifying more than one parcel in Tier Three would be able to clear forty percent
of the entire parcel. 9J-5.013(2)(c)3.; Section 187.201(9)(a) and (b)1., 3., and 4., and (15)(b)2.;
and Section 380.0552(7)(a), (c), (t) and 0), F.S.
Recommendation: Consistent with the County's agreement to better protect habitat and the
requirements of the Work Program adopted by the Governor and Cabinet, the County should
revise policies 101.4.22 and 205.2.7 to include a numerical cap on clearing for all large or
aggregated lots.
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AMENDMENTS WITH NO OBJECTIONS
AMENDMENTS WITH NO OBJECTIONS
FLUM Changes
Lujan Properties
The property consists of five individual parcels totaling 7.32 acres. The County is proposing to
change the future land use designation from Mixed Use Commercial (up to 18 units/acre) to
Residential Mediwn (1 unit/lot up to 8 units/acre). The Mixed Use Commercial Category
contains no distribution of mix standards, which would limit the amount of residential
development that can occur on the site. The proposed change represents a de-intensification of
potential residential and commercial impacts to the County.
The Quay Property
The County proposes to change the future land use designation on a 4.21-acre parcel from
Residential Low (up to .5 units/acre allowable density,S units/acre maximum net density) to
Public Buildings and Grounds (.10 to .30 FAR). Staff have identified no impacts resulting from
the proposed change.
Text Change
Proposed Policy 216.1.8
The County has added a policy to incorporate a staged hurricane evacuation concept. The
concept would require that tourist and seasonal residents evacuate prior to the issuance of an
evacuation order for County residents. The hlJ:lguage is incorporated verbatim from language
that the Department has assisted local governments in drafting. This language was developed
pursuant to the working group established by Secretary Cohen to address evacuation issues in the
Keys. It has been the Department's policy to require the maintenance of a 24-hour hurricane
evacuation clearance time standard for the County. The most recent projection using the Miller
Model showed that the current clearance time is just under 24 hours. Evacuation of tourists 48
hours in advance of the mandatory evacuation order residents will help the County to streamline
its evacuation process.
AGENCY COMMENTS
South Florida Water Management District
The WMD had no concerns about the amendment package.
South Florida Regional Planning Council
The RPC found Goal 1 05 to be generally inconsistent with the strategic regional policy plan.
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection
In their original letter dated August 8, 2005, the agency strongly recommended that Monroe
County modify that portion of the proposed amendment package that reflects the June 14,2005,
Board adoption of a two-tier land use overlay. In a supplemental letter dated September I, 2005,
the Department reviewed the proposed revisions to the Monroe County 05-2 comprehensive plan
amendments provided on August 25,2005. With regard to the tier system, the proposed
revisions generally address the concerns expressed by the Department in its comment letter of
August 8, 2005. The agency also recommended, however, that any remaining internal
inconsistencies among the goals and policies of the plan be corrected so that the adopted tier
system can be consistently and unambiguously implemented.
Florida Department of State
Cursory review suggests that the proposed change would have no adverse effect on historic
resources. It is the county's responsibility to ensure that the proposed revisions will not have an
adverse effect on significant archaeological or historic resources in Monroe County.
Other Agency Comments
None received