Resolution 420-1994
Commissioner Reich
RESOLUTION NO. 420 - 1994
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 042-1994, OUT-
OUTLINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERMITTING~
AND CONSTRUCTION OF PERSONAL HURRICAN~ ~
REFUGE STRUCTURES IN MONROE COUNTY. ~O~
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WHEREAS, on February 4, 1994, the Board of C~~y C~misSlon-
ers established a policy that the most prudent~'cqctioRo fofg the
citizens of Monroe County is to evacuate during ~Gate~y ~, 4,
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or 5 storm; an ~ - \Ai ::u
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WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners acknowledges that
some residents of Monroe County will not evacuate and would there-
fore place themselves at risk; and
WHEREAS, the construction of an individual hurricane refuge
may be a potentially life-saving device for residents who do not
evacuate during a Category 3, 4, or 5 storm; and
WHEREAS, on February 15, 1994, the Board of County Commission-
ers unanimously endorsed the concept of allowing residents of
Monroe County to construct structures to be used as personal
hurricane refuges, and memorialized such endorsement in Resolu-
tion No. 042-1994 which is herein amended; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined
that the safety benefits of the placement of a personal refuge
within setbacks (minimum yards) outweighs any negative impacts of
allowing such a structure within setback areas and therefore
would request that the Monroe County Planning Commission grant
such variances pursuant to the direction of the Board; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined
that the authority to grant a setback variance which is in compli-
ance with the Monroe County Land Development Regulations is not
possible without an ordinance amending the current Land Develop-
ment Regulations, and that by following that process, a lengthy
delay would result, and that time is of the essence; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Community Affairs has the ability
through its legislative rule-making authority to establish such a
procedure quickly; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT:
1. The Board of County Commissioners has determined that it
would be advantageous and humane to allow the construction of
personal hurricane refuges in Monroe County; and
2. Any personal hurricane refuge shall meet minimum standards of
ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Standard #7, using
a minimum fastest mile wind velocity of 200 miles per hour; and
3. All structures will be constructed a minimum of two feet
above Base Flood Elevation; and
4. A personal refuge may not include a permanent water supply or
permanent sanitary facilities; and
5. Under no circumstances may such a structure be utilized for
habitation except as refuge during a hurricane or similar
natural phenomenon; and
6. Any variance requested for the placement of a personal hurri-
cane refuge pursuant to this resolution will not be charged a
fee for such variance; and
7. The Board of County Commissioners hereby requests that the
Planning Commission honor the directives of the Board as
outlined above when considering variance requests pursuant to
this Resolution; and
8. The Board of County Commissioners hereby requests that the
Florida Department of Community Affairs review and establish
a modified variance procedure to allow the development of
such structures.
9. The Clerk of the Board is hereby directed to forward one (1)
certified copy of this Resolution to the Division of Growth
Management.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 23rd day of November, A.D., 1994.
Mayor Freeman yes
Mayor Pro Tern London yes
Commissioner Freeman yes
Commissioner Douglass yes
Commissioner Reich yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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( SEAL)
ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
BY: ~rN~~/,,~)
DEP Y CL K