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Home My WebLink About10-020JOSEPH E. SMITH, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT SAINT LUCIE COUNTY FILE # 3529441 11/03/2010 at 02:32 PM OR BOOK 3242 PAGE 996 - 999 Doc Type: ORDN RECORDING: $35.50 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ORDINANCE NO. 10-020 Evaluation and Appraisal Report Based Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO AMEND THE TEXT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL BASED AMENDMENTS; PROVIDING FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR FILING WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR FILING WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION. WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature intends that local planning be a continuous and ongoing process; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has adopted the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan, Ordinance No. 90-01 on January 9, 1990; and WHEREAS, Section 163.3191, Florida Statutes, directs local governments to adopt needed amendments to ensure that the plan provides appropriate policy guidance for growth and development; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with Chapter 163.3191, Florida Statutes, adopted the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) on October 28, 2008; and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission acting as the designated Local Planning Agency has reviewed the Evaluation and Appraisal Report Based Amendments, held an advertised public hearing on April 15, 2010, provided for participation by the public in the process, and rendered its recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has reviewed the Evaluation and Appraisal Report Based Amendments, held an advertised public hearing on June 1, 2010, while providing for comments and public participation and approved transmittal to the Department of Community Affairs; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has reviewed and addressed the Department of Community Affairs issued Objections, Recommendations and Comments report, and held a second advertised public hearing on October 19, 2010 while providing for comments and public participation and continued the hearing to October 26, 2010 to allow additional public input; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined that the proposed amendments are consistent with the state, regional and County Comprehensive Plans; and WHEREAS, the Board adopted the proposed amendments on Tuesday, October 26, 2010; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie 1 2 3 County, Florida: A. ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS The Board of County Commissioners does hereby adopt the Evaluation and Appraisal Report Based Amendments to the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan, attached here as Exhibit A. B. CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Board of County Commissioners does hereby state its intention to amend the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the Evaluation and Appraisal Report Based Amendments. C. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS Special acts of the Florida Legislature applicable only to unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County, County Ordinances and County Resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby superseded by this Ordinance to the extent of such conflict. D. SEVERABILITY If any portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held or declared to be unconstitutional, inoperative or void, such holding shall not affect the remaining portions of this Ordinance. If this Ordinance or any provisions thereof shall be held to be inapplicable to any person, property, or circumstances, such holding shall not affect its applicability to any other person, property or circumstance. E. APPLICABILITY OF ORDINANCE This Ordinance shall be applicable as stated in Paragraphs A and B. F. FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE The Clerk is hereby directed forthwith to send a certified copy of this Ordinance to the Bureau of Laws, Department of State, The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida, 32304. G. FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS The Planning and Development Services Director shall send a certified copy of this Ordinance to the Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100. H. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall take effect thirty-one (31) days after adoption. If the Ordinance is challenged within thirty (30) days after adoption, the Ordinance shall not be effective until the State Land Planning Agency or Administration Commission respectively issues a final Ordinance No. 10-020 Page 2 1 2 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 28i 2~. 30 °.. 31 ~ ~' 32 33 34 35 36 37 order finding the adopted amendment in compliance in accordance with Section 163.3184(10), Florida Statutes. I. ADOPTION After motion and second, the vote on this Ordinance was as follows: Charles Grande, Chairman AYE Doug Coward, Vice-Chair AYE Chris Dzadovsky, Commissioner AYE Chris Craft, Commissioner AYE Paula Lewis, Commissioner AYE PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 26th day of October, 2010. ATTEST:'>.;. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ~a',,~ °' ' ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA 1 ~ ~ ~,~U."F.. ;,. ~ '~ ~~~~. n ~ ~ . _ ~. .~,~ e{~uty ~ ~~ ; ~ .: 1 n ~ ~1 ~ s ~ ~ ~~ a s '~ ~ ~°r ;s '~~: . ~~-- ~~ .~ - `~ a .c y `. BY: -= ~ ,~ Ch an APPROVED ASFORM AND CORRECTNESS: Ordinance No. 10-020 Page 3 1 2 3 4 s 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Exhibit "A" EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT BASED AMENDMENTS Entire document is on file in the Planning and Development Services Department and online for download on the St. Lucie County Laser Fiche web page. Ordinance No. 10-020 Page 4 FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Purpose The purpose of the Future Land Use Element is the designation of future land use patterns as reflected in the goals, objectives and policies contained in St. Lucie County’s Comprehensive Plan. The supporting data provides a broad survey of current land use patterns, natural land features, and availability of public facilities for existing and future development. Future land use patterns are depicted on the Future Land Use Map. Planning Timeframes The St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan provides guidance on development and redevelopment over two planning periods: a 5-year period ending FY 2015 (short term) and a 20-year period ending FY 2030 (long term). EXISTING LAND USE CONDITIONS General Description St. Lucie County is located along Florida’s southeast coast, in the upper reaches of the South Florida geographic region. Locally, this area is referred to as Florida’s Treasure Coast because of the many Spanish Treasure Galleons shipwrecked along this part of the coast. The County comprises approximately 600 square miles, of which approximately 440 square miles are unincorporated area and subject to the land use and regulatory authority of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. The balance of the County consists of territory located within the incorporated municipalities of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and St. Lucie Village. Physiographically, the County is divided into three primary regions: the Atlantic Coastal Ridge (including the barrier islands), the Eastern Valley and the Osceola Plain. The dominating physiographic region of the east/central portion of the County is known as the Eastern Valley. The Valley extends from the Atlantic Coastal Ridge to the central part of the County. Elevations in this area range from 15 to 30 feet above sea level. The land within this area falls generally to the southeast. The vast citrus and ranching areas of central and western St. Lucie County are contained within the physiographic areas known as the Sebastian/St. Lucie Flats, Allapattah Flats and the Osceola Flats. Except where drained for agricultural activities, these areas are characteristically pocketed with surface wetlands and have limited natural drainage. Elevations in this area are in the range of 30 to 60 feet, with the general fall of the land being from the northwest to the southeast. The Atlantic Coastal Ridge forms the eastern border of the County and includes the coastal barrier island, locally known as Hutchinson Island, the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-1 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 the ridge which lies east of the North and South Savannas and parallels Indian River Drive. Elevations range from sea level to about 15 feet on the barrier islands to as much as 50 feet along the western shorelines of the Indian River Lagoon. The western terminus of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge lies approximately along the eastern edge of the Savannahs, both north and south of Fort Pierce. Located within the Eastern Valley is the single principal freshwater estuary in St. Lucie County, the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Secondary water courses include the North Fork’s two primary tributaries, Five Mile and Ten Mile Creeks. An unconnected freshwater marsh network, known as the Savannas, is located immediately to the west of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. The Savannas represent a vanishing natural features that was once found along the entire length of the Indian River Lagoon, from Volusia County to Northern Palm Beach County. Through the continued effort of the State of Florida’s Conservation and Recreational Land (CARL) (now called the Florida Forever) acquisition program, approximately 90% of the privately held properties within this area have been acquired for perpetual public preservation. Lying between the western edges of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge and the barrier island is the Indian River Lagoon. This saltwater estuary is part of a larger ecosystem which extends 156 miles from Volusia County to Northern Palm Beach County. More detailed discussions on the function and vitality of the Indian River Lagoon system can be found in the Conservation and Coastal Management Elements of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Section 258.39(8), (9) and (12), Florida Statutes, provides for the official designation of the Indian River Lagoon and portions of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River as Aquatic Preserves. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, charged with administration and supervision of these preserves, has adopted specific management plans for both areas, conducting both research and enforcement actions within them. In addition to its inland estuary and isolated wetland network, St. Lucie County has 21 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline, much of which is currently undeveloped. Through the efforts of the residents of St. Lucie County and the State of Florida, approximately seven miles of this unincorporated oceanfront are under public ownership. Another two miles of oceanfront property are owned by the Florida Power & Light Company, and are to be maintained in their present natural state in conjunction with the operation of the St. Lucie Power Plant facilities. The balance of the remaining oceanfront properties is held in private ownership and available for development activities, which have historically been residential in character. Existing Land Uses Most of unincorporated St. Lucie County remains agricultural in use. Therefore, future planning and development of these western areas remains a significant issue for the County. Single Family residential, public service facilities, and conservation/recreation areas are equally proportioned in this area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-2 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 1-1 Existing Land Uses (Unincorporated St. Lucie County) Existing Land Use Acreage% of Total Land Area Conservation/Recreation 9,081.773.20% Agriculture 206,539.9172.75% Residential Single Family 15,478.145.45% Residential Mobile Homes 834.740.29% Residential Multifamily 1,480.820.52% Mixed Use 164.290.06% Commercial 2,485.920.88% Public Services 18,961.996.68% Transportation 819.220.29% Light Industrial 0.730.00% Industrial 3,853.631.36% Residential Vacant 5,516.171.94% Commercial Vacant 1,072.250.38% Public Services Vacant 402.010.14% Right of Way 5,813.462.05% Water 745.380.26% ROW/Water (Non-parcelized areas) 10,663.653.76% Total 283,914.07100.00% Source: St. Lucie Growth Management,Planning and Development Services 2009 Please note that there are a number of acres that are not parcelized in Table 1-1 and Table 1-2, but fall within unincorporated St. Lucie County. The acreage difference is due to the methods with which each of the data layers was created. A parcel layer is created at a closer scale therefore there can be more detail provided. The County boundary on the other hand was created at a regional or state level, which leads to a more general area represented. These layers were created by separate agencies which inherently lead to discrepancies between each of the datasets. Future Land Uses More than half of unincorporated St. Lucie County has the Agriculture-5 land use designation. The Towns, Villages and Countryside and Residential Urban designations make up 5% of the total land each. Conservation-Public is approximately 4% of the total land area. Lands with Commercial or Industrial land use designations each make up less than 1% of the total land area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-3 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 1-2 Future Land Uses (Unincorporated St. Lucie County) Future Land Use Acreage% of Total Land Area Agriculture-5 187,014.2065.80% Agriculture-2.5 3,633.041.28% Residential Estate 2,809.390.99% Residential Suburban 6,385.662.25% Residential Urban 14,114.354.97% Residential Medium 1,807.880.64% Residential High 449.020.16% Residential/Conservation 2,646.850.93% Conservation-Public 11,985.244.22% Commercial 1,702.640.60% Industrial 2,741.250.96% Public Facilities 1,412.350.50% Transportation/Utilities 2,930.001.03% Mixed Use Development 5,219.671.84% Historic 8.300.00% Special District 8,038.022.83% Towns, Villages & Countryside 13,570.614.77% Right of Way 6,954.262.45% ROW/Water (Non-parcelized areas) 10,769.323.79% Spoil Islands & Submerged Lands 31.310.01% Totals 284,223.36100.00% Source: St. Lucie County, 2009 Urban Service Boundary This Element establishes an Urban Service Boundary which runs generally along the I- 95/Turnpike corridor and limits the area for which the County will provide services. Development west of the Urban Service Boundary is limited to densities which range from 1 dwelling unit per acre to .20 dwelling units per acre (1 dwelling unit per five acres). Development in excess of these densities requires an amendment to the Future Land Use Map of this plan. Any approval of such an amendment must include findings that the developer will provide the necessary services at no cost to local government and the conversion of agricultural land maintains the viability of agricultural uses on adjacent lands. Urban Service Area This area lies to the east of the previously discussed Urban Service Boundary and represents the preferred regions for development at urban intensities. The area indicated is the most likely to have centralized water and wastewater services provided by either a municipal utility or a privately operated regional enterprise. The intent of the urban service area designation is to restrict the negative impacts of a sprawling low density development pattern and the fiscal burden that pattern of development has on the ability of the community to meet its service needs. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-4 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Urban Service Area is not designed to be a permanent or static limitation on growth. Rather it is intended to indicate the areas of the County that can reasonably be expected to be provided with necessary community services during the fiscal planning periods of this plan. Future Land Use Element policies speak to the definition of the boundary of the Urban Service line. The policies provides for some flexibility in the exact location of this line by as much as 1,500 feet, without the need to amend to the Comprehensive Plan. This flexibility is based upon the recognition that as properties develop they may in fact have boundaries that lie in part beyond the defined Urban Service boundary as depicted. It is not the intention of this plan to penalize these properties for being partially outside of this area. For example, it is conceivable that a property could be divided by the Urban Service boundary, but through particular topographic conditions it may be possible for that entire site to receive the full range of community utility services. The Urban Service designation is not intended to be a line of absolute demarcation for the provision of these services. Land Use/Zoning The following table provides a land use district/zoning district compatibility chart that is intended to provide assistance in the application of compatible zoning districts, as currently found in St. Lucie County's Land Development Code. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-5 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 1-3 Land Use Designation/Zoning Compatibility Matrix St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-6 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Population As noted in the below table the overall County population grew by 41% between 2000 and 2009. The County’s population includes the City of Port St. Lucie which was the fastest growing City in the nation in 2003. In 2005, the County was the second fastest growing County in Florida. During the same period, the unincorporated population grew by 10% even with numerous annexations of unincorporated areas by the City of Fort Pierce. The County and unincorporated County population will continue to grow and reflect development for approved DRIs, the Towns, Villages, and Countryside (TVC) designated area, and infill development. Table 1-4 Population Projections 2000-2030 2000* 2009** 2010 2011*** 2015 2020 2025 2030 St. Lucie County 192,695 272,864 276,700 283,980 313,100 354,300 395,200 434,100 Unincorporated 65,806 72,925 74,983 75,961 79,874 83,974 87,796 91,201 Source: Florida Population by County 2008-2035, BEBR, March 2009 (for County population 2010 to 2030); Shimberg Center (University of Florida), 2009 (for Unincorporated St. Lucie County 2010 to 2030). *US Census **August 2009 BEBR population estimates for both St. Lucie County and Unincorporated St. Lucie County ***2011 population based upon the projected average annual increase in residents 2010-2015. Vacant Lands The following table show vacant lands with their future land use designation. The future land use designation with the largest number of vacant lands is Residential Urban followed by Residential Suburban and Residential Medium. Table 1-5 Vacant Lands with Future Land Use Vacant Lands with Future Land Use Acreage % of Total Area Agriculture-5 471.986.75% Agriculture-2.5 142.872.04% Residential Estate 81.391.16% Residential Suburban 889.1312.72% Residential Urban 2,674.2138.26% Residential Medium 684.079.79% Residential High 123.371.77% Residential/Conservation 584.718.37% Conservation-Public 50.120.72% Commercial 677.409.69% Industrial 26.370.38% Public Facilities 35.430.51% Transportation Utilities 10.600.15% St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-7 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Vacant Lands with Future Land Use Acreage % of Total Area Mixed Use Development 132.211.89% Special District 177.122.53% Towns, Villages & Countryside 218.883.13% Right of Way 7.210.10% Spoil Islands & Submerged Land 2.120.03% Totals 6,989.19100.00% Source: St. Lucie Growth ManagementPlanning and Development Services, 2009 Population and Need for Development The following table shows the unincorporated County’s potential to accommodate the population projected. Based upon vacant lands only, 63,268 person can be accomodated by future development over and above the existing population. The Existing Land Use Maps show only 218 acres of vacant land for the Towns, Villages, and Countryside (TVC) designation. Currently, most of the lands within the TVC area are considered to have an existing land use of agriculture. Potential housing development in the TVC and two approved DRIs have been included in this analysis to fully represent unincorporated St. Lucie County’s potential to accommodate future population. Table 1-6 Vacant Lands and Ability to Accommodate Population Population projections indicate a need to house 18,276 between 2009 and 2030. Based upon the above analysis, St. Lucie County will be able to accommodate the projection population growth. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-8 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 PUBLIC FACILITY NEEDS Transportation St. Lucie County maintains approximately 517 centerline miles of roadway throughout the County. Of these roads, approximately 374 miles are paved and 143 miles unpaved. The City of Port St. Lucie maintains approximately 877 centerline miles of roadway. the City of Fort Pierce maintains approximately 136 centerline miles of roadway, while the St. Lucie Village maintains approximately 4 centerline miles of roadway. Transportation is coordinated through the St. Lucie County Transportation Plan, a comprehensive, long- range outline of all major needed or desired transportation projects through the planning year 2030. This plan is a segment of the St. Lucie and Martin County Regional Long Range Transportation Plan (RLRTP). Designated Strategic Intermodal System facilities in St. Lucie County include I-95, the Turnpike, the Florida East Coast Railroad, and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Emerging SIS facilities include SR 70/Okeechobee Road, and the South Central Florida Express Railroad. Due to increasing traffic and economic development, the County is coordinating with the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization and FDOT on the widening of Kings Highway, SR70/Okeechobee Boulevard, and Midway Road. Additional coordination will be needed to ensure the flow of traffic throughout the North County in conjunction with development of the TVC. Significant transportation facilities include the St. Lucie Airport, a general aviation facility and the Port of Ft. Pierce is the region’s only deep water port, maintaining a channel depth of 28 feet. Transit is provided by the St. Lucie Council on Aging (fixed route and demand response) and the Treasure Coast Connector. St. Lucie County and Martin County completed the Regional Transit Development Plan for the Port St. Lucie Urbanized Area for planning new transit routes in the area. The County intends to support passenger rail services when available and encourage transit-oriented guidelines. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the St. Lucie County Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Master Plan completed by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) in 2008. The St. Lucie County Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Master Plan inventoried all the existing sidewalks, bike paths, missing sidewalks, and provided suggestions to improve the system. The Transportation Element provides information of existing and projected level of services standards, transportation improvement strategies, and long term transportation planning programs. Potable Water St. Lucie County adopted the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan and the Water and Wastewater Master Plan in 2008 which will serve as the overall planning documents for potable water facilities. The two (2) major urban areas of the County, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, have regionalized potable water treatment and distribution systems. Unincorporated areas are serviced by St. Lucie Utilities, Fort Pierce Utility Authority (FPUA) and private suppliers. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-9 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 There is sufficient capacity to serve unincorporated St. Lucie County residents in the short term and long term planning timeframes. Wastewater The unincorporated County presently has wastewater service provided by St. Lucie Utilities, Fort Pierce Utility Authority, several medium sized utilities (St. Lucie West and private utilities), small package plants, and septic tanks. The wastewater utility providers have sufficient capacity to serve unincorporated St. Lucie County residents in the short term and long term planning timeframes. Drainage Major surface drainage modifications to St. Lucie County commenced with the formation of the North St. Lucie River Water Control District (1917) and the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (1919). These Districts were created for the purpose of agricultural drainage and irrigation, with a secondary purpose being flood control activities. During the 1940s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) channelized portions of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River in an effort to improve its water-carrying capacity and to accelerate its speed or discharge into the Atlantic Ocean. During the 1960s, the COE constructed Canals C-23, C-24, and C-25, along with their control structures. With the construction of this Primary Canal system for the South Florida Water Management District, the County was then divided into a series of Sub-Basins. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)/Indian River Lagoon (IRL)- South Plan projects will provide benefits to the primary drainage system and water quality. The County’s Capital Improvements projects will provide benefits to the secondary and local drainage systems. Solid Waste St. Lucie County has been operating its present landfill since 1978. Currently, solid wastes received by the County are disposed of at the St. Lucie County Baling and Recycling Facility, which is the only solid waste disposal facility currently permitted in the County. There is sufficient capacity to serve unincorporated St. Lucie County residents in the short term and long term planning timeframes. Parks The County is required to provide a minimum level of service of 5 acres of Community Parks for the unincorporated population, 2.5 acres of Regional Park land area for every 1,000 residents countywide, and 21.2 acres of Resource-based Parks per 1,000 residents countywide. Currently, the County has a deficit of Community Parks and Regional Parks. School Capacity The St. Lucie School District provides public school facilities within the County. The County adopted the Public School Facilities Element as required by Florida Statutes and updates the Capital Improvement Element according to the School District’s five year work plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-10 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Five Year District Facilities Work Plan 2010-2011provides for the following new schoolsafter 2010 to accommodate seven developments of regional impact (DRIs) within the County: High School BBB- Port St. Lucie K-8 BB-SW Port St. Lucie K-8 CC- SW Port St. Lucie New High School BBB New K8 School FF (Old BB) (Southbend) CONSERVATION ISSUES Natural Resources The following Future Land Use Element Data Inventory and Analysis requirements are provided in other Comprehensive Plan Elements as follows: Infrastructure Wellfield Protection Conservation Wetlands Topgography Soils Water Resources Flood Zones Commercially Valuable Minerals Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies Coastal Management Dredge Spoil Sites Hazard Mitigation Smart Growth and Greenhouse Reduction Strategies St. Lucie County wishes to implement smart growth strategies that support the reduction of greenhouse gases. It is anticipated that many existing developed areas in eastern sections of the County will be annexed by the City of Fort Pierce and the City of Port St. Lucie. Therefore, the County has focussed on smart growth planning on undeveloped edge areas such as the North County, the Jenkins Road Area Plan Special District, the Green Jobs and Innovation Corridor, the Green District, and and Western Lands to ensure future development does not contribute to future sprawl and further climate change. Additionally, the Smart Growth Committee provided recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in January 2009 that support achieving an urban form of compact, mixed use based upon the American Planning Association’s A Recommended Comprehensive Smart Growth Audit Checklist. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-11 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Towns, Villages, and Countryside Element (TVC Element) The TVC Element and related overlay regulations in the land development code applies to the agricultural area of North St. Lucie County. Using the principles of Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND), the strategy for new settlement in the undeveloped areas requires a sustainable growth pattern characterized by a mix of uses, building types and income levels as well as a pedestrian-friendly block and street network. The TVC preserves a significant amount of public open space, promotes strategies for viable future agriculture, and helps mitigate the environmental impact of new development in the area. A 2004 public process - the North St. Lucie County Charrette - resulted in a Special Area Plan and subsequent TVC implementation documents include the TVC Comprehensive Plan Element. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) led the two-year process through the adoption of the TVC Comprehensive Plan Element and Land Development Regulations in May 2006. Jenkins Road Area Plan Special District The County adopted land development regulations in regarding the Jenkins Road Area. The intent of these regulations is to create a viable road system and supporting multi- modal facilities, and to create an innovative, walkable, mixed use neighborhood built within the constraints of existing development, with adequate open space and recreational resources, and to protect natural resources. Further, land development regulations promote sound urban design for the dense development that has been proposed in the area; to provide for the creation of a multi-modal transportation system suitable for motorized vehicles, mass transit, bicycles, and pedestrians; to provide adequate open space, park and recreational facilities for the significant neighborhoods proposed in the area; to provide and maintain functional road system in an area where key intersections and a major road are already failing; to create development that is compatible with existing land uses in the area; to provide a mix of land uses that increases the internal capture of trips and to include walkable scale and bicycle facilities that increase the variety of modes of transportation used to make internal trips; to provide protection for listed species, wetlands, and other significant environmental resources on the site; and to provide for innovative forms of land development. The regulations adopted affect all land development in the unincorporated area of St. Lucie County which is proposed in the area lying south and west of Angle Road, North of Orange Avenue, and east of King's Highway, near the western boundary of the City of Ft. Pierce, Florida. Project Energy The County is involved in numerous activities to increase economic development based upon alternate energy. These activties include development of the Green Jobs Corridor and relationships with national and local organization to generate a “green economy.” The Treasure Coast Education, Green Jobs and Innovation Corridor Charrette Planning. and Research Park is located between the Turnpike and Kings Highway north of Okeechobee Road. Currently anchored by the United States Department of Agriculture's 170,000-square-foot Horticultural Research Laboratory and the 90,000- square-foot University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' Research and Education Center, the Treasure Coast Education Research and Development Authority (TCERDA) Research Park is home to multi-disciplinary scientists, researchers and educators. From 2009, the County has been planning a green jobs corridor St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-12 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 surrounding the Research Park. Additional economic development and job creation in the county will reduce long commutes to employment centers in West Palm Beach and Vero Beach and increase jobs/housing balance ratios. The Green Jobs and Innovation planning will include an emphasis on land uses supportive of the Corridor Charrette Research Park, water management, green energy, energy conservation, building standards, landscaping and public meeting places so that the Park encompasses the most current green technology available. Green District. St. Lucie County has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory, General Electric, the City of Fort Pierce, and other local organizations to create a model sustainable community. St. Lucie County is real-world test bed for new products sanctioned by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. This is aided by St. Lucie County’s US Department of Energy grant for the Solar Energy and Loan Fund for residences and businesses that furthers the County’s desire to go green. Specific partnerhships/programs include: Energy Efficiency Program - work with St. Lucie County's $23 million Solar and Energy Loan Fund to help residents and business install energy efficiency upgrades Smart Grid Implementation - partner with the Fort Pierce Utility Authority and others to utilize energy-efficient home applications and solar and smart meters in the County's Green District Workforce Training Initiative - collaborate with Indian River State College (IRSC), the Green Collar Training Center, and local trade unions to prepare the workforce for the emerging green economy. Local Business Development - a GE pilot initiative that leverages GE's knowledge base, global network and existing business connections to assist the growth of St. Lucie County-based small businesses. Geoplasma Project. St. Lucie County's Solid Waste Department is developing a Geoplasma project at the County Landfill. The project would use plasma arc technology, which heats trash and turns the garbage into gas and a slag by-product, essentially eliminating waste that ends up in the landfill. Western Lands St. Lucie County is undertaking a Western Lands Study expected to be completed in É»¬»®²Ô¿²¼ 2010-11. The purpose of this study is to acquire significant public input addressing ´¿²¹«¿¹» fundamental issues regarding the future land uses of approximately 200,000 acres of ®»´±½¿¬»¼º®±³ ²»¨¬°¿¹»ò agricultural land. The study will result in a sustainable plan for the County’s western lands that will preserve and conserve a functioning network of agriculture, open space, and natural areas while providing economically viable options for agricultural landowners, now and in the future. The study will include an analysis of patterns of land uses that respect private property rights and provide opportunities for rural lifestyles and agricultural operations that are sustainable in terms of equity treatment for landowners, economic viability, infrastructure provision, water demand and usage, and environmental conservation. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-13 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Mobility Fees The County plans to replace traditional road impact fees with mobility fees based upon vehicle miles travelled. These fees would support not just road construction projects, but all types of multi-modal improvements to reduce dependency on automobiles. A study and public workshops on the fees were started in 2010. The County expects to complete the study and consider adption by December 2011. Historic Resources In December 2006, the St. Lucie County Historic Preservation Ordinance was passed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Ordinance is consistent with the general purpose goals, objectives, and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The Ordinance includes definitions, and provisions for an Historic Preservation Trust Fund, Historic Preservation Officer, Historic Preservation Committee, and historic designation process and procedures. The Comprehensive Plan provides for a Historic future land use designation. The Bureau of Archaeological Research within the Florida Office of Cultural and Historic Preservation maintains the Florida Master Site File (MSF), a database that contains information on archaeological and historic resources in Florida. Map FLU-10 Historic Sites, identifies and locates the historic resources contained on the MSF. The Florida Department of Historic Resources has jurisdiction over historic and archaeological sites if there are human remains or if a state or federal permit is requested. If a private property owner develops or redevelops their property and their property is listed on the MSF, the state historic preservation officer should be contacted for guidance. Appendices 1A and 1B provide lists of sites located within unincorporated St. Lucie County on the Florida Master Site File. Sites on the National Register of Historic Places located within St. Lucie County include the following: Arcade Building Casa Caprona Cresthaven Old Fort Pierce City Hall Fort Pierce Old Post Office Frere Jules House Captain Hammond House Zora Neale Hurston House Immokolee Moore’s Creek Bridge St. Anastasia High School St. Lucie High School St. Lucie Historic District Sunrise Theater Ura de Lima Underwater Archaelogical Site (Shipwreck) (Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, 2009) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-14 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Casa Caprona and the Captain Hammond House lie within unincorported St. Lucie County. Another significant historic resource not on the Florida Master Site File or National Register of Historic Places is the Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail. REDEVELOPMENT The County has not officially designated any areas as having conditions of slum and blight, but is continuing to monitor aging areas and implement needed programs and improvements. Economic Development This Comprehensive Plan includes an optional Economic Development Element as part of the County’s overall vision for sustainability. In order to achieve its economic development goals, St. Lucie County has embraced two popular economic development tools, namely branding and cluster development. Along with Indian River and Martin County, St. Lucie County now promotes itself as part of Florida’s Research Coast. This branding highlights the region’s desire to shift its image from an agricultural and tourist based economy to an area that is invested in recruiting businesses that offer high-skilled, high-paying, long-term employment opportunities. Further St. Lucie County has created a Targeted Industry List which pinpoints the specific sectors it would like to see relocate to the area. This list is composed of manufacturing, research, and distribution sectors that complement each other and would encourage the creation of industry clusters. Cluster theory is based on the concept that businesses and research centers want to be located in close proximity to similar institutions so that they may take advantage of a skilled workforce, access to specialized higher learning institutions, and adjacency to specialized customers and suppliers. The County has demonstrated the cluster concept with the recruitment of three major life sciences institutes- Torrey Pines Institute, Mann Research Center and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA) In 2005, the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida collectively created this agriculturally-and-biotechnologically-focused Research Park in unincorporated St. Lucie County including renewable energy and alternative fuel companies. This Research Park is governed by the Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA), pursuant to Florida Statute Section 159, Part V, and the enabling Resolution and Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida. It is envisioned as a home to multi- disciplinary scientists, researchers and educators. The initial master plan calls for over 350 developed acres of buildings and wet labs to house research, development and educational institutions, businesses and incubators, with an additional 700 acres for agricultural fields and for future Research Park expansion. USDA's 170,000 square foot Horticultural Research Laboratory and the 90,000 square foot University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' Research and Education Center will anchor the TCERDA's Research Park. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-15 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 WESTERN LANDS St. Lucie County is undertaking a Western Lands Study expected to be completed in 2010-11. The purpose of this study is to acquire significant public input addressing fundamental issues regarding the future land uses of approximately 200,000 acres of agricultural land. The study will result in a sustainable plan for the County’s western lands that will preserve a functioning network of agriculture, open space, and natural areas while providing economically viable options for agricultural landowners, now andin the future. The study will include an analysis of patterns of land uses that respect private property rights and provide opportunities for rural lifestyles and agricultural operations that are sustainable in terms of equity treatment for landowners, economic viability, infrastructure provision, water demand and usage, and environmental conservation. GROWTH MANAGEMENT HISTORY The County’s prior master plan, the Growth Management Policy Plan (GMPP), was adopted in 1981 in accordance with the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act of 1975. That Plan provided a general guide for land use decisions in the unincorporated regions of the County. It recognized the importance of a mix of land uses and gave the County leverage, through its implementation, in determining the appropriateness of proposed land use activities on a case-by-case basis. The GMPP also set forth policies for a wide spectrum of environmental issues. Population growth in St. Lucie County was explosive in the early and mid-1980’s. A fault of the Growth Management Policy Plan was that it failed to provide the flexibility that was necessary to meet the demands of a rapidly growing community. This shortcoming resulted in the necessity to constantly consider major amendments that cumulatively served to denigrate the effectiveness of the entire plan. TheSt. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan was firstadopted in 1990, and it took the foundation laid by the County’s original master plan (GMPP),and built upon it to meet the revised intent of Chapter 163.08, Florida Statutes. In doing so, the following issues and concerns were acknowledged and addressed: Preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of the County’s natural resources, including: the Indian River Lagoon, o the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, o the Savannas, o the coastal barrier islands system, o isolated inland wetland systems, o aquifer recharge areas, o native upland habitat; o Increased pressure of western development migration; Emergence of the I-95/Florida Turnpike corridor as a major force in future development consideration; Desire of the community to attract high-quality employers; and, Efficiency in traffic circulation associated with providing residential areas near employment hubs. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-16 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Evaluation and Appraisal Reports Pursuant to Section 163.3191, Florida Statutes, "each local government shall adopt an evaluation and appraisal report (EAR) once every seven years assessing the progress in implementing the local government's comprehensive plan." The report evaluates how successful a community has been in addressing major community land use planning issues through implementation of its comprehensive plan. Based on this evaluation, the report suggests how the plan should be revised to better address community objectives, changing conditions and trends affecting the community, and changes in state requirements. The County completed Evaluation and Appraisal Reports in 1998 and 2008. EAR-based Amendments were adopted in 2002 (finalized through a stipulated settlement agreement with DCA in 2004) and 2010. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-17 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 1.1: Ensure the highest quality living environment possible, through a mixture of land uses reflecting the needs and desires of the local residents and how they want their community to develop. The goal shall be implemented by strictly enforced building, zoning and development codes based on objectives and policies that will enhance St. Lucie County's natural and man-made resources while minimizing any damage or threat of degradation to the health, safety and welfare of the county's citizens, native wildlife and environment, through incompatible land uses. Objective 1.1.1: Maintain the Future Land Use Map land with the following use designations to portray the future development patterns of St. Lucie County. Policy 1.1.1.1 - The following land use designations/intensities, as indicated on the Future Land Use Maps are provided as the pattern for the future development of the area within unincorporated St. Lucie County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-18 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.1.2 - The County’s land use categories shall be described as follows: A. Agricultural-5 (AG-5) Ì¸»»´¿²¼«» The AG-5 land use designation is intended for those areas of the County outside ¼»½®·°¬·±²©»®» of the planned urban service area which are associated with agricultural and °®»ª·±«´§ agricultural-related activities. These areas are recognized for first being ·²½´«¼»¼·²¬¸» appropriate for the production of citrus, cash crops, or ranching activities. These Ü¿¬¿×²ª»²¬±®§ areas are acknowledged as potentially suitable for limited residential ¿²¼ß²¿´§· development under the following criteria: »½¬·±²±º¬¸» Ú«¬«®»Ô¿²¼Ë» Û´»³»²¬ò All residential development must be in accordance with applicable standards and restrictions as set forth in the Land Development Code; All residential development proposals in excess of eight units must be approved through the Planned Development (PD) process as provided for Ì¸»´¿²¹«¿¹»·² in the Land Development Code; ß¹ë¿²¼ß¹îòë Any activity other than crop or food product related production, including ®»¹¿®¼·²¹¿½¬·ª·¬§ combinations of properties/uses, in excess of 200 acres should identify ±²¿®»¿¹®»¿¬»® ¬¸¿²îðð¿½®» appropriate mechanisms for funding the operation and maintenance of ©¿®»ª·»¼¬± necessary infrastructure. Any utility infrastructure shall be consistent with »´·³·²¿¬»¬¸» the Infrastructure Element. ®»¯«·®»³»²¬º±® ½®»¿¬·²¹¿ Residential densities are set at a maximum of .20 units per gross acre Ý±³³«²·¬§ (one (1) unit per 5 gross acres). Ü»ª»´±°³»²¬ Ü·¬®·½¬ò B. Agricultural-2.5 (AG-2.5) The AG-2.5 land use designation is intended for those areas of the County outside of the planned urban service area which are associated with agricultural and agricultural-related activities. These areas are recognized for first being appropriate for the production of citrus, cash crops, or ranching activities. These areas are acknowledged as potentially suitable for limited residential development under the following criteria: All residential development must be in accordance with applicable standards and restrictions as set forth in the Land Development Code; All residential development proposals in excess of eight units must be approved through the Planned Development (PD) process as provided for in the Land Development Code; Any activity other than crop or food product related production, including combinations of properties/uses, in excess of 200 acres should identify appropriate mechanisms for funding the operation and maintenance of necessary infrastructure. Any utility infrastructure shall be consistent with the Infrastructure Element. Residential densities are set at a maximum of .40 units per gross acre (one unit per 2.5 gross acres). C. Residential Estate (RE) The Residential Estate (RE) land use category is intended to act as a transitional St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-19 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 area between the agricultural areas and the more intense residential areas in the eastern portion of the County. This category is found predominantly along the western edge of the urban form, but is also appropriate for areas of special environmental concern such as along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. The RE designation is intended for large lot, single-family detached residential dwellings, at a density of one unit per gross acre. These areas are not required to be served with central utilities, however when at all practical, service connections should be provided. The RE designation is acknowledged as potentially suitable for limited residential development under the following criteria: All residential development must be in accordance with applicable standards and restrictions as set forth in the Land Development Code; All residential development proposals in excess of eight units must be approved through the Planned Development (PD) process as provided for in the Land Development Code; Residential densities are set at a maximum of one unit per one gross acre. D. Residential Suburban (RS) The Residential Suburban (RS) land use category is intended to act as a transitional area between the agricultural areas and the more intense residential areas in the eastern portion of the County. This category is found predominantly along the western edge of the urban form, but is also appropriate for areas of special environmental concern such as along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. The RS designation is intended for large lot, single-family detached residential dwellings, at a density of one to two units per gross acre. These areas are not required to be served with central utilities; however when at all practical, service connections should be required. E. Residential Urban (RU) The Residential Urban (RU) classification is the predominant residential land use category in the County. This residential land use category provides for a maximum density of five dwelling units per gross acre. The RU designation is generally found between the identified urban service areas and the transitional RS areas. These properties need to be serviced with central water and wastewater services. These services may be provided by either a public utility or through private on-site facilities, as would be permitted in accordance with all applicable regulations. New development in the RU areas can occur using traditional single-family or multifamily zoning designations or through the planned unit development process. F. Residential Medium (RM) The Residential Medium (RM) land use category is to be applied to those areas that are within, or planned to be within, areas of central community services. A St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-20 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 maximum residential density of nine dwelling units per gross acre is permitted under this land use designation. If required, the actual density is subject to the satisfactory completion of the rezoning process, which would include complete review of the physical suitability of the property for development at the proposed intensity. Medium density residential land uses can act as a transition between the lower intensity RU areas and the more intense land use designations. Zoning applications within the RM land use area include single-family, multifamily, or PD zoning. G. Residential High (RH) Areas designated Residential High (RH) are intended to accommodate high density development, not to exceed 15 dwelling units per gross acre. In order to develop at this intensity, it must be possible to connect into a central water and wastewater service facility, and the subject property must be located in an area of the County which has available all urban services and facilities including fire protection, police, recreation, roadways, and schools. H. Mixed Use Development (MXD) The intent of the Mixed Use Development (MXD) designation is to identify those areas where innovative land use concepts are encouraged. Application of this district should be with prudence, and should be only to those areas where traditional land use classifications do not afford the desired flexibility and community input in land use planning necessary to address local concerns. Candidates for this district include all I-95 interchange areas, the St. Lucie County International Airport, Community Development Districts created pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes and areas of special or unique environmental consideration that may not be appropriate for traditional land use designations. Uses within the areas classified as Mixed Use should be segregated as to intensity and indicated in the form of a concept master plan which is to be included as a part of the land use designation process. The following criteria, in addition to those as cited in Objective 1.1.7, are to be used in the development of Mixed Use areas: Unless otherwise compliant with the identified intensity classification, any change in zoning shall be to the Planned Unit Development (PUD), Planned Non-Residential Development (PNRD) or Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD), as described in the St. Lucie County Land Development Code. Those properties with compatible existing zoning designations are encouraged to develop under the PUD, PNRD or PMUD regulations. Residential development shall be regulated by the intensity district in which it is to take place. In no case should gross residential density exceed 15 du/ac. All uses shall be compatible with internal and external adjacent land uses. I. Special District (SD) The intent of the Special District (SD) designation is to identify those areas where specific uses or combinations of uses are anticipated. These include previously St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-21 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 approved Community Development Districts, areas for which a site specific development plan or concept has been granted, or areas which by their location have specific issues and concerns for their development. Residential densities within an area designated as a Special District are limited to what the current land use designation authorizes. Any increase over the present designation may be considered only through the Plan Amendment process. J. Commercial (COM) The Commercial (COM) land use designation is applicable to areas of future commercial development, in addition to those existing developed commercial areas. Future commercial areas should be located at points of high transportation access, with specific action taken to prevent the development of new linear commercial strips. Although this plan supports the location of higher intensity commercial uses at the intersection of arterial roadways, it should not be interpreted to mean that every intersection should be designated for commercial activities. Unless otherwise designated on the future land use maps, applications for commercial use should be done in conjunction with a detailed review of the impacts of such development on adjacent property, specifically noting what, if any, negative neighborhood impacts could result. The Commercial (COM) designation is intended to accommodate all commercial zoning districts as identified under St. Lucie County's Land Development Code. Office and general retail uses are considered the principal uses within the COM designated areas. K. Industrial (IND) This land use designation is applied to specific areas of the County identified as suitable for industrial use. This land use designation is intended to be implemented through both the heavy and light industrial zoning districts, with the specific criteria for zoning application as provided for under the policies of the Future Land Use Element. Areas designated for Industrial activities must have available all necessary services and facilities prior to development, supplied by either public or private sources as permitted. In addition, developments proposing to incorporate heavy industrial uses will be required to be adequately buffered from any adjacent use that would be incompatible. L. Public Facilities (P/F) The Public Facilities (P/F) land use designation is applied to properties used for such activities as education and places of worship. This designation may also be applied to other public uses such as jails and administrative buildings. M. Transportation/Utilities (T/U) The purpose of this district is to recognize the Transportation or Utility use of property. This designation may be applied as appropriate subject to review of the specific application and intended use of the property. The Transportation/Utilities (T/U) land use designation has been applied principally to four areas: St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-22 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 1) St. Lucie County International Airport; 2) The St. Lucie County Landfill; 3) The St. Lucie Power Plant site located on South Hutchinson Island; and, 4) The Florida Power and Light-Midway switching station along West Midway Road. N. Historic (H) The Historic (H) land use designation is applied to properties of historic significance as identified by the national historic register, or State of Florida. O. Conservation The Conservation land use designation has been divided into two categories: Residential/Conservation (R/C) and Conservation-Public (Cpub). These designations are intended to identify areas of the County which exhibit unique or special environmental characteristics, and may be either publicly or privately held. The designations are described in more detail below. 1.Residential/Conservation (R/C): The Residential/Conservation category is intended to identify those privately controlled lands that contain unique vegetation or have characteristics which warrant special attention prior to their being developed. The Residential/Conservation designation is not intended to prevent development activities. Instead, its purpose is to identify those areas that, due to special environmental or other unique constraints, location, property configuration, or topography should be more closely examined before final development approvals are authorized. Areas designated Residential/Conservation carry a development potential of .20 dwelling units per gross acre (one dwelling unit per five gross acres). Areas within the R/C designation should be developed using the following criteria: The development is supplied with central water and sewer service; unless otherwise permitted by the appropriate authority. Any development within an area designated R/C should, as a requirement for building permit approval, demonstrate compliance with all applicable environmental protection regulations as set forth in the Land Development Code for St. Lucie County. Any residential development proposal in excess of ten acres, or involving more than eight units, should be reviewed under the Planned Development regulations as set forth in the Land Development Code for St. Lucie County. 2.Conservation-Public (Cpub): Areas designated Conservation-Public are those lands which exhibit unique environmental characteristics and are owned by federal, state, regional, or local public agencies. They are intended solely for preservation and/or recreational use. No residential or commercial development may occur other than that typically related to park service and security functions. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-23 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 P. Towns Villages and Countryside (TVC). Areas designated TVC must follow the policies of the TVC Element in this Comprehensive Plan and the TVC Overlay Zone requirements in the Land Development Code. Objective 1.1.2 - Provide in the land development regulationLand Development Code provisions for a compatible and coordinated land use pattern which establishes agriculture as the primary use outside of the urban service boundary and promotes retention of agricultural activities, preserves natural resources and maintains native vegetative habitats. Policy 1.1.2.1 - Require that new developments within the AG-5 and AG-2.5 future land use categories not exceed the gross densities provided in Policy 1.1.1.1. Policy 1.1.2.2 - Any application or petition to divide a lot or parcel of record as of January 9, 1990, in the AG-2.5 or AG-5 future land use categories, into more than eight lots, parcels or tracts, shall be approved only through the planned development process consistent with the other Goals, Objectives and Polices of this Plan, except in those instances where the division of lot or parcel of record as of January 9, 1990, would result in individual parcels or tracts of 20 acres or more in size and no streets roads or other public or private infrastructure are required. If two or more lots, parcels or tracts or combinations of lots parcels or tracts and portions of lots parcels or tracts which are contiguous to other lots parcels or tracts under single or common ownership interest and were of record on January 1, 1990, the lands involved shall be considered to be an undivided parcel for the purposes of this Policy, provided however, that lots, parcels or tracts separated by an ingress/egress, access or roadway easement that was of record on January 1, 1990, but specifically excluding any easement limited to utilities, drainage or other non-access purpose, shall not be considered an undivided parcel for the purpose of this Policy. Where any new street, road, or other public or private infrastructure is proposed within the PUD it shall be designed in a manner that provides for the grouping or concentrating of all development areas and activities in order to minimize the cost of providing infrastructure and community services to these areas while maintaining a minimum of 80 percent Open Space (gross area). Policy 1.1.2.3 - All future non-agricultural development within the AG-5 and AG- 2.5 future land use categories will be required to preserve open space, which is to be defined to include, but not be limited to, agricultural activities such as groves and range land as well as preservation of natural areas according to the following criteria: a. Developments in excess of eight units, or greater than 160 acres in gross area, whichever is more restrictive must retain a minimum of 80 percent of the project site as open space b. Developments of eight units or less, or involving 160 acres or less in gross area, whichever is more restrictive must retain a minimum of 50 percent of the project site as open space, provided that this paragraph shall not be applied to avoid the remainder of this policy through further St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-24 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 subdivision of land parcels as existed as to record on January 9, 1990. For any planned development project developed within the AG-5 and AG-2.5 future land use categories, a minimum of 35 percent of the gross project area shall be held in common ownership or management control. Nothing in this Policy is intended to prevent these areas of required common open space from, at the discretion of and acceptance by the appropriate unit of local or state government, being conveyed into public ownership or trust. For any agricultural PUD equal to or less than 160 acres in gross area or involving eight or less lots or parcels, whichever is more restrictive, the required common open space, may be held in either common or individual interest. Policy 1.1.2.4 - Provide the means to manage growth within the agricultural land use categories through the orderly delivery of services concurrent with the impacts of development. It is anticipated that over time portions of the agricultural land use categories will be converted to urban uses as services are provided. However, the physical extension of County provided central sewer and water services shall only occur consistent with the other provisions of this Plan. Policy 1.1.2.5 - The County shall include in its Land Development Regulations Land Development Code a site assessment process to evaluate the potential conversion of existing or designated agricultural land uses to non-agricultural land uses in a rational and orderly manner. Such provision shall require as a condition to such conversion that the Board of County Commissioners affirmatively find that the proposed non-agricultural use: a. is compatible with adjacent land uses; b. maintains the viability of continued agricultural uses on adjacent lands; c. contains soils suitable for urban use as defined by the St. Lucie County soil survey; d. is suitable with existing site-specific land characteristics; e. is consistent with comprehensive development plans; f. will have available the necessary infrastructure concurrent with the anticipated demands for development; g. will avoid the extension of the urban services boundary to create any enclaves, pockets, or finger areas; and, h. Could not be feasibly located on non-agricultural land. Policy 1.1.2.6 - Provide adequate buffering and/or setbacks between agriculture and non-agricultural uses to protect such agricultural uses from adverse impacts associated with encroachment of non-agricultural development or creation of nuisances by agricultural operations. Insure that Agricultural Best Management Practices are used. Policy 1.1.2.7 - Consistent with Objective 1.1.16 allow for eco-tourism uses within the Agricultural area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-25 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 1.1.3 - Review and amend, as required, the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code which support the implementation of the Future Land Use Element, and the other components of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Policy 1.1.3.1 - Adopt and/or amend existing Land Development Regulations Land Development Code to ensure that they contain the specific and detailed provisions necessary to implement the adopted Comprehensive Plan, and which as a minimum include the following: a. Regulate the subdivision of land; b. Regulate the use of land, air, and water consistent with all elements of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan, to ensure the compatibility of adjacent land uses and provide for adequate open space; c. Protect those areas designated for conservation purposes or that contain other special environmental habitat as identified in the Future Land Use and other elements of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan; d. Regulate areas subject to seasonal and periodic flooding and provide for drainage and stormwater management; e. Protect potable water wellfields and aquifer recharge areas; f. Regulate signage; g. Provide minimum landscaping standards for all development that encourages the use and protection of native and drought tolerant species in lieu of exotic and water consumptive plants; h. Ensure safe and convenient on-site traffic flow and vehicle parking needs; i. Provide that development orders and development permits shall not be issued which result in a reduction of the levels of service for the affected public facilities below the level of service standards adopted in this and other elements of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan; j. Provide for procedures and time schedules for acceptance of amendments to the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 163.3187, F.S.; and k. Minimize noise and light pollution. : Objective 1.1.4.Consider changes to the future land use plan based upon smart growth, energy-efficient land use patterns anddiscouraging the proliferation of urban sprawl. Objective 1.1.4: Require through the County'sLand Development Regulations, specific performancecriteria [(i.e., architectural, landscaping and separation standards, Transfer of Development Rights (TDR(s)], that all new development be compatible with surrounding land uses, both existing and future as represented in this Element. Policy 1.1.4.1 - Consistaent with other policies, Eencourage the location of urban land use intensities, through the development of density bonus and incentive programs in the Land Use Regulations Land Development Code, to those areas that lie within the defined urban service boundary and discourage the conversion St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-26 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 of property in the agricultural and suburban areas to higher intensity urban uses, while still keeping all development authorizations in line with the adopted levels of service within this plan. Policy 1.1.4.2 - Require that new development be designed and planned in a manner which does not place an unanticipated economic burden upon the services and facilities of St. Lucie County. Policy 1.1.4.3- Retain an urban service area boundary to restrict the negative impacts of a sprawling low density development pattern and the fiscal burden that pattern of development has on the ability of the community to meet its service needs. Policy 1.1.4.4 - Retain Towns, Villages, and Countryside (TVC) Element to develop North County areas along an urban-to-rural transect with a grid transportation network, interconnected greenway network, and low impact development standards. Policy 1.1.4.5.- Develop standards for brownfields by December 2013 to provide for future brownfield site identification and redevelopment as urban infill projects. Policy 1.1.4.6 -Monitor aging neighborhoods and encourage the redevelopment and renewal of blighted areas. Policy 1.1.4.76- Future land use map amendment applications that increase residential development must demonstrate a numerical population need. The County may allow an exception if orunlessthe amendment enhances urban infill redevelopment projectsor supply offulfills a demonstrated need for affordable housing. Policy 1.1.4.7- The County shall amend the Land Development Code to require design standards for compact, walkable development by December 2011. Policy 1.1.4.8- The County shall work with the FDOT to develop guidelines for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) by December 2012. Policy 1.1.4.9- The County shall continue to support dense, compact development in the Jenkins Special Area Plan corridor which creates a viable road system and supporting multi-modal facilities, and to create an innovative, mixed use neighborhood that increases the internal capture of trips and to include walkable scale and bicycle facilities that increase the variety of modes of transportation used to make internal trips built with adequate open space and recreational resources, and to protect natural resources. Policy 1.1.4.10– Land Development Code amendments to implement recommendations in the Green Jobs and Innovation Corridor Charrette which will include an emphasis on green collar job creation, green energy, energy conservation, building standards, landscaping, public meeting places and guidelines to develop the Research Park so that it will encompass the most current green technology available will be completed by December 2011. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-27 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.4.3-Continue to encourage the use of cluster housing and planned Ð±´·½§ïòïòìòí©¿ unit development techniques to conserve open space and environmentally ®»´±½¿¬»¼¿²¼ sensitive areas, through the County's Land Development Regulations which ®»²«³¾»®»¼¿ include: Ð±´·½§ïòïòéòïò a.Minimum acreage requirements necessaryto support a viable mixed use community providing sufficient design flexibility to allow innovation and creativity in all forms of planned unit developments; b.Minimum open space ratios of 35 percent in all planned unit developments and including within the PUD documents assurances that such areas will remain as open space to protect existing native habitat, to provide for minimum setback needs from adjacent uses, and to provide active and passive recreational as well as visual amenities; Minimum open space standards; c. d.Provisions ensuring the long term preservation of remaining open spaces; e.Amixed use district combining residential, commercial, recreational, educational, and other income producing uses providing significant functional and physicalintegration among uses; f.Minimum standards for the provision of on-site shopping, job opportunities and internal trip capture; and, Specific requirements to provide efficient, centralized infrastructure g. (potable water and sanitary sewer). Include specific restrictions on the use of septic tanks, individual wells, and package plants in planned unit developments. Policy 1.1.4.478- Calculate gross residential density on lands that lie above the mean high water elevation and provide for the ability to transfer and/or cluster residential density from wetland and other sensitive or unique environmental habitats to upland areas on contiguous property or non-contiguous property. Policy 1.1.4.589- In any instance where either this Comprehensive Plan or the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code permits the transfer of density from a portion of a parcel of land to another portion of the same or adjacent parcel of land, the density transferred away shall not be replaced by transferring density from the same or adjacent parcel of land. (Ord. No. 07-044, § 1, 12-18-07) Objective 1.1.5 - In coordination with the other elements of this plan, future development within the Urban Service Area shall be directed to areas where urban and community services/facilities can be provided in the most efficient and compact manner so as to discourage the proliferation of urban sprawl. Policy 1.1.5.1 - Urban development activities shall be restricted to that area identified as the Urban Service Area (Fig. 1-6a)in the Future Land Use Map series. Urban development activities are defined, for the purpose of this Policy, as any residential development activity in excess of two units to the gross acre, any non-agricultural commercial activity or any non- extractive/non-agriculturally related industrial activity. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-28 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Urban Service Area is not intended to be a static line of development. Using the 1990 urban service boundary line as a base, an individual segment of this line may be extended or contracted only once for a distance up to 1,500 feet from that which is indicated on Figure 1-9in the Future Land Use Map series without necessitating an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan provided that the urban service area lies contiguous to an existing residential commercial or industrial land use classification; the owner of the contiguous property can ensure the provision of appropriate infrastructure and services, and the resulting change does not detrimentally impact the established character of the area surrounding the area to be included in the urban service boundary. St. Lucie County shall be responsible for maintaining an updated map indicating the location of the 1990 Urban Service Boundary, including any alterations to it and once every two years include as a part of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment process, the latest Urban Service Area Map. Any modification of the Planned Urban Service Area Boundary beyond 1,500 feet will require a formal amendment through the Comprehensive Plan amendment process. Policy 1.1.5.2 - Prior to the issuance of any final development order within the Urban Service Area, the County shall consider the proximity of the proposed development activity to the availability of urban and community services and facilities. Development which requires extending any of these services over or through significant distances of undeveloped land or land not already subject to the issuance of a final development order shall be discouraged until other lands that are more proximate to the existing services have been developed. Policy 1.1.5.3 - When considering any amendment to the Future Land Use Maps of the County's Comprehensive Plan, the County Commission shall make the following findings, supported by the other elements of this Plan, prior to taking any approval actions granting an individual amendment to the Future Land Use Maps: 1. That the property under land use amendment application is adjacent to, or within no more than one-quarter mile of the same or greater type of land use classification. 2. That the property under land use amendment consideration lies within the Five Year Capital Improvement Program of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan for St. Lucie County or otherwise meets the requirements of Policy 1.1.5.4. Policy 1.1.5.4 - All new subdivision and site plan development projects that are proposed to take place within the unincorporated area of the County for which water/sanitary sewer service can be provided to the project as identified in the Chapter 6A and 6DInfrastructure Element, the project shall be required to provide a dry-line water/sanitary sewer distribution/collection system, and provide for connection to such available water/sanitary sewer service as such service becomes available. The standard for construction of these systems shall be included as a part of the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code or Utility Extension Policy Regulations. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-29 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.5.5 - Within the Urban Service Area as described in Policy 1.1.5.1, where regional water and wastewater utility service is not currently available or planned to be made available within the Five Year Schedule of Capital Improvements, Program of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan for St. Lucie Countythe County shall not allow for non-residential development, or residential development in excess of two dwelling units per acre unless the following factors are met: a) The proposed development bears the entire fiscal impact of providing its own on-site water and wastewater services; and, b) The developer agrees to connect to a regional water and wastewater system when such system becomes available to the site with none of the cost for connecting to the regional system being passed on to the regional system. Policy 1.1.5.6-The County's adopted potable water and wastewater master plan shall be considered a part of this plan based on references contained here and in the Infrastructure Element. Policy 1.1.5.7-Coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce, the City of Port St. Lucie, the Florida Department of Transportation, St. Lucie Metropolitan Planning Organization, Florida Department of Community Affairs and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to annually review the transportation network. The annual review will identify strategies, e.g., Transportation Concurrency Exception Areas, which will allow for LOS standards lower than those listed in Policy 2.1.2.8 to achieve infill and redevelopment Goals, Objectives, and Policies. Policy 1.1.5.86- The County shall not at public expense construct any new roadways which will extend public facilities to areas not presently served within the Urban Service Area unless such areas are immediately contiguous to existing non-residential or residential urban developments (those areas having density in excess of two dwelling units per acre) or which have been identified by the Metropolitan Planning Organization as part of its area roadway network to meet area-wide transportation needs. Policy 1.1.5.97- No non-agricultural development shall be permitted outside of the Urban Service Area that does not address all of its community infrastructure impacts, both on-site and off-site. All development outside the Urban Service Area shall pay the entire cost of its fiscal impacts on public facilities and services. Policy 1.1.5.10-New industrial development shall be located in those areas that Ð±´·½·»ïòïòëòïð are or can be serviced with central water and wastewater facilities consistent with ¿²¼ïòïòëòïï¿®» the Water and Wastewater Master Plan for St. Lucie County and will not ®»¼«²¼¿²¬òÍ»» contribute to the degradation of surficial water quality. Ñ¾¶»½¬·ª» ïòïòïïò Policy 1.1.5.11 -The use of individual on-site septic disposal systems for industrial development activities shall be in accordance with all applicable state and local regulations, including, but not limited to, Rule 10D-6, FAC., and St. LucieEnvironmental ControlOrdinance89-02 (wastewater and sewage disposal St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-30 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 regulations). Policy 1.1.5.128- As provided for under Policy 1.1.5.2, construction of new residential development at densities greater than two units per acre shall only be permitted when central or on-site water and central or on-site wastewater systems are available or will be provided concurrent with the impacts of development, consistent with the adopted levels of service found in the plan. Policy 1.1.5.139- Existing development will be required to connect to central water and sewer systems when such facilities are made available in accordance with applicable Rules and Regulations. Policy 1.1.5.1410- All new subdivision and site plan development projects that are proposed to take place within the approved service area of any duly authorized water/wastewater utility in St. Lucie County, shall be required to provide a "dry-line" central water and wastewater distribution/collection system, and provide for the connection to centralized systems as they become available. The standards for construction of these systems shall be included as a part of the County'sLand Development Regulations Land Development Code. Policy 1.1.5.1511- Local utility services (i.e., electric substations, wastewater lift stations, telecommunication sites and other small scale utility service operations) necessary to provide for the utility service needs of the neighborhood area, may be approved without the need to amend the Future Land Use Element so long as the property on which the activity is to take place is less than ten acres in total area. Zoning compliance and review procedures are to be as described in the County'sLand Development Regulations Land Development Code. Policy 1.1.5.12-Encourage the location of urban land use intensities, through the development of incentive programs in theLand Development Code, to those areas that lie within the defined urban service boundary and discourage the conversion of property in the agricultural and suburban areas to higher intensity urban uses, while still keeping all development authorizationsin line with the adopted levels of service within this plan. Policy 1.1.5.13 – Explore establishing minimum densities within the urban service boundary with an option for a lower density by purchasing units from the transfer of development rights program including a transfer of development rights bank by 2012. Policy 1.1.5.14 - Require that new development be designed and planned in a manner which does not place an unanticipatedeconomic burden upon existing taxpayers, services and facilities of St. Lucie County. Objective 1.1.6: St. Lucie County shall require, through the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code, the protection of historically significant structures, facilities and locations within the unincorporated areas of the County, as identified by the State of Florida or the Federal [National] Register of Historic Places. Policy 1.1.6.1 - St. Lucie County shall continue, with the assistance of the State of Florida and the St. Lucie County Historical Commission, to identify significant St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-31 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 historic resources within the unincorporated areas which are in need of protection and develop management and restoration plans as appropriate. Policy 1.1.6.2 - Historic resources shall be protected through designation as historic sites by the State or the County. Policy 1.1.6.3 - St. Lucie County shall include within its Land Development Regulations Land Development Code by December 2011 specific actions as prescribed by the Division of Historic Resources of the Florida Department of State, which are to be followed in the event historically significant facilities are discovered through or threatened by the land development process. Policy 1.1.6.4 - Adaptive reuse of historic structures shall be given priority over activities that would harm or otherwise destroy the historic value of such resources. Policy 1.1.6.5 - St. Lucie County shall continue to protect historic structures by enforcing Section 4.11.00 ofthe St. Lucie County Land Development Regulations Land Development Code. Policy 1.1.6.6 - St. Lucie County shall maintain an inventory and map of all archaeological and historical resources within the County. Objective 1.1.7:Future development and redevelopment activities shall be directed to those areas depicted with urban land use designations on the Future Land Use Map and are to be consistent with sound planning principles contained in the goals, objectives, and policies of this plan. PolicyObjective1.1.7.1 - Continue to support and encourage innovative land use development patterns including planned developments through the adequate provision in the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code including Planned Unit Developments (PUD), Planned Non-Residential Development (PNRD) and the Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD) zoning designations. Policy 1.1.7.1 - Continue to encourage the use of cluster housing and planned Ð®»ª·±«´§Ð±´·½§ unitdevelopment techniques to conserve open space and environmentally ïòïòìòíò sensitive areas, through the County's Land Development Code which include: a. Minimum acreage requirements necessary to support a viable mixed use community providing sufficient design flexibility to allow innovation and creativity in all forms of planned unit developments; b. Minimum open space ratios of 35 percent in all planned unit developments and including assurances that such areas will remain as open space to protect existing native habitat, to provide for minimum setback needs from adjacent uses, and to provide active and passive recreational as well as visual amenities; c. Provisions ensuring the long term preservation of remaining open spaces; d. A mixed use district combining residential, commercial, recreational, St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-32 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 educational, and other income producing uses providing significant functional and physical integration among uses; e. Minimum standards for the provision of on-site shopping, job opportunities and internal trip capture; and, f. Specific requirements to provide efficient, centralized infrastructure (potable water and sanitary sewer). Include specific restrictions on the use of septic tanks, individual wells, and package plants in planned unit developments. Policy 1.1.7.2 - Encourage the use of the Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD) zoning designation which permits both residential and non-residential development within a single planned development. Policy 1.1.7.3 - Continue to support the mixed use activity areas as indicated in the following Sub-area Mixed Use Activity Area Plans as depicted in by name in this Element. Figures1-7athru 1-7n. (Ord. No. 07-008, § C., 4-11-07; Ord. No. 07-025, § C., 12-18-07) Policy 1.1.7.4 - The following use intensity definitions shall be used for the purpose of this plan for the Mixed Use activity areas: 1. High Intensity development areas may include the following types of land uses: Residential 5 to 15 du/acres Institutional 1.5 FAR * Professional1.5 FAR * Service/Office General Commercial 1.0 FAR * Public Service/Utility .5 FAR * Industrial .5 FAR * * FAR = Floor Area Ratio 2. Medium Intensity development areas may include the following types of land uses: Residential 5 to 9 du/acres Institutional 1.0 FAR * Professional1.0 FAR * Service/Office General Commercial .75 FAR * Public Service/Utility .25 FAR * Industrial .25 FAR * * FAR = Floor Area Ratio 3.Low Intensity development areas may include the following types of uses: Residential not to exceed 5 du/acres Institutional .5 FAR * Professional .5 FAR * Service/Office General Commercial .5 FAR * St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-33 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Public Service/Utility .25 FAR * * FAR = Floor Area Ratio 4. Specific Use Areas: Areas with special or unique local character may be included within the Mixed Use Designation. These areas, because of conditions unique or peculiar to them alone, have been limited to specific activities and zoning options as set forth in the activity area plans described in Policy 1.1.7.43. Any zoning application not consistent with this policy must be accompanied by a corresponding Comprehensive Plan Amendment indicating the change in intensity classification. Application of the Specific Use Area designation is to be made to those areas recognized by the County as suitable for alternative land use as the full spectrum of community services become available. This designation would serve to prevent the unplanned or premature development of such areas until all services were provided for and are consistent with the Future Land Use development philosophy of St. Lucie County. The terminology used in the Specific Use designation identifies the type of permitted activity, maximum zoning density or maximum zoning intensity. Each Mixed Use Activity area will identify the type of Special Use areas in the legends of each area. Policy 1.1.7.5-St. Lucie County Planning staff shall review on a bi-annual basis, all mixed use activity areas for consistency with the other elements of this plan and to determine if any amendments or further definition of intensity designation is warranted. Any amendments to any mixed use activity area intensity designation shall be processed as an amendment to the County’s Comprehensive Plan in accord with the applicable standards of Chapter 163, Florida Statutes. Objective 1.1.8: Property owners' investments, their quality of life and the single-family neighborhood, as a defined residential area, shall be protected from the encroachment of commercial and/or other inappropriate land uses through consistent and predictable application of the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code. Policy 1.1.8.1 - All new subdivisions, planned unit developments and site development plans shall be designed to include an efficient system of internal traffic circulation that does not require internal trips or trips of short duration to be forced onto the major roadway network. Connections to new and existing subdivisions shall be encouraged. Policy 1.1.8.2 - All new subdivisions shall be designed so that all individual lots have direct access to the internal street system, and that any lot or property along the periphery of the development is to be buffered from any major roadway and incompatible land uses. Policy 1.1.8.3 - Continue to implement the county-wide right-of-way protection regulation and Right-of-Way Dedication Ordinance. Policy 1.1.8.4 - Limited development of commercial/non-residential uses will be allowed within areas classified for residential use, provided that these activities are compatible with the adjacent land uses and meet the following standards: St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-34 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 a) Intent of the commercial use is to provide easily accessible, convenience-type uses to immediately surrounding residents; b)Property for which the commercial designation is sought is located on an Arterial or Major Collector; c)b Conversion of the petitioned property would not promote any strip commercial use of land; d)c Use is compatible with surrounding land uses and is provided with adequate screening and buffering of any adjacent residential property; )The site does not have its primary driveway access onto any local or e Minor Collector street; and, f)e The property for which the commercial designation is sought does not exceed 10 acres. Policy 1.1.8.5 - In addition to any other general standard for change in zoning as may be described in tThe County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall be amended within one year of adoption of this Comprehensive Plan to include, the following specific standards shall be used in determining the suitability of new property(s) for designation as Commercial General (CG) under the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code: a) New Commercial General (CG) property should have available to it at the time of any zoning change central water services, or have an executed service agreement for the provision of central water services necessary for both domestic and fire protection purposes. b) New Commercial General (CG) property should not be located within 300 feet of any Aquatic Preserve or other specially designated aquatic habitat or a Category I Wetland as described in Policy 8.1.14.1 of the Conservation Element of this Plan. c) New Commercial General (CG) areas should have immediate access to the regional transportation network. d) New Commercial General (CG) property should have a minimum lot size of one acre, unless the property is being added to another existing commercially (general) zoned property. Policy 1.1.8.6 - Require effective visual and light diffusion barriers between residential and non-residential uses. Standards and requirements for such barriers are to be included in the landscaping and screening regulations of the St. Lucie County Land Development Regulations Land Development Code. Policy 1.1.8.7 - Eliminate future scattered and highway strip commercial development by encouraging the development of commercial centers or nodes consistent with the Future Land Use Map. Policy 1.1.8.8 - Restrict strip commercial development to those traffic corridors where such development patterns now exist. The depth of these commercial areas should average 600 feet, with the exceptions to be found at points of arterial intersection. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-35 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.8.9-Concentrate tourist and regional service related commercial activities to those areas adjoining the interstate highway system or that have sufficient regional automobile access. Policy 1.1.8.109- Interchange development activities should not include commercial activities that are designed to service a small geographic market area. Local service activities should be located at points away from an interchange so as to avoid conflicts between regional and local traffic which can contribute to accelerated degradation of level of service in these areas. Policy 1.1.8.1110- Encourage the use of existing commercial and industrial designated lands within the urban service area, through requiring a strict demonstration of service availability, before authorizing Land Use and Zoning amendments in areas not presently indicated as having such a designation. Objective 1.1.9: Through enforcement of Chapter 6.00.00 of the County's Land Development Code, the County shall support criteria and standards for the protection/creation of native plant communities within the County. For the purpose of this plan, Native Plant Communities shall be preserved as defined in the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council's Regional Policy Plan, Regional Policy 10.1.2.2., "...preserved in viable condition with intact ground cover, understory and canopy." Policy 1.1.9.1 - St. Lucie County shall include within its Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code criteria and standards for the protection and preservation of both wetland and upland habitat within one year of adoption of this element. The criteria to be included within the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall be based upon, but not limited to, the following: a) Size of the property on which the development activity is to take place; b) The type quality and sensitivity of the native habitat including nesting and foraging locations found on site; c) Methodologies to be employed in protecting and preserving native habitat; d) The presence or occurrence of endangered or threatened species on site and methodologies to be employed to ensure their continuing presence on site or mitigation; e) The amount of similar habitat in a state of functional preserve within the same area; and, f) Requirements that all necessary environmental assessments be prepared by personnel having the appropriate expertise to make the necessary determinations which shall be submitted in writing to the Board of County Commissioners for review prior to their making a determination regarding any proposed development. Policy 1.1.9.2 - In conjunction with the implementation of Policy 1.1.9.1, the County shall, by June 2004December 2012, reconsider theestablishment of an impact fee collection system allowing fees in lieu of on-site preservation. when off-site preservation would be more environmentally beneficialfor the purpose of St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-36 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 habitat acquisition/preservation, .in lieu of specific on-site preservation. The Land Development Code criteria and standards drafted for the protection and preservation of both wetland and upland habitat shall specify criteria when fees in lieu of on-site preservation shall be allowed. The criteria shall consider limitations of size, quality and connectivity of the proposed on-site preservation and shall provide for off-site habitat acquisition/preservation of higher quality, larger, connected sites. Policy 1.1.9.3 - All development applications that include wetland habitat shall be consistent with all applicable Federal, State and County regulations and the goals, objectives and policies of the County's Comprehensive Plan. The most restrictive of these regulations shall be enforced. Policy 1.1.9.4 - Enforce Section 7.09.00 of the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code to provide that existing on-site native upland habitat be incorporated into required site plans as a part of open space areas, required landscaping or as a part of minimum yard areas so that as much of the identified habitat as is practicable is maintained. Policy 1.1.9.5 - Enforce Section 6.00.00 of the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code to protect trees and upland habitat by prohibiting the premature clearing of land and the concurrent destruction of native habitats with appropriate fines and mitigation. Policy 1.1.9.6 - St. Lucie County shall subject proposed development in areas designated Residential/Conservation (R/C) on the Future Land Use map to the following criteria prior to approval: 1. Residential development shall not exceed one (1) dwelling unit per five gross acres.; 2. All development shall be subject to specific building restrictions as further Land Development Regulations Land specified in the County's Development Code. 3. The clearing of native trees and other nativeunderstory, other than Melaleuca Leucadendra (Punk Tree), Schinus Terebinthefolius (Brazilian Pepper), and Casuarina Spp. (Australian Pine)shall be prohibited, unless specifically permitted through the County's tree protection regulations. 4. The addition or expansion of structures that require development orders or building permits shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. 5. Any residential development proposal in excess of 40 acres, or involving more than eight units, shall be subject to the County's Planned Development regulations, including all standards of development identified within them, as set forth in the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code for St. Lucie County. Policy 1.1.9.7 - Enforce Section 6.02.02ofthe Land Development Regulations Land Development Code to protect the watercourses identified below:St. Lucie River, Five Mile Creek, and the Ten Mile Creek and the Indian River Lagoon. The Land Development Code shall define these water bodies geographically. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-37 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 North Fork of the St. Lucie River-from the Martin County line to the confluence with Five &Ten Mile Creeks. Five Mile Creek-from the confluence of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River to the Florida East Coast Railroad, Glades Cut-Off Branch Line. Ten Mile Creek-from the confluence of North Fork of the St. Lucie River to McCarty Road. Policy 1.1.9.8 - Enforce Section 6.00.00 ofAmendthe County's Land Development RegluationsLand Development Code whichtorequires immediate (within five days of alteration) reseeding or stabilization of areas cleared for development activities. Clearing for site construction shall not commence until appropriate authorizations for such activities have been granted pursuant to the County's Tree and Habitat protection regulations, reference Policy 1.1.8.6. Policy 1.1.9.9 - Enforce Section 7.07.07 of the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code which require the developer of any site to be responsible for the on-site management of runoff in a manner so that post- development runoff rates, volumes, and pollutant loads do not exceed pre- development conditions. Policy 1.1.9.10 - Continue to require new urban type developments near agricultural areas to avoid adverse impacts on the natural resources essential to production of crops and citrus. Policy 1.1.9.11 - Enforce Section 6.06.00 of the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code which requires that extraction activities for natural resources be permitted only where compatible with existing and proposed land uses. All operations must be in accordance with all applicable regulatory permitting requirements. Policy 1.1.9.12 - Enforce Section 6.06.00 of the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code which require that a reclamation/restoration plan be submitted as part of the required application for an extractive use permit. Policy 1.1.9.13: Enforce Section 6.05.00 of the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code, which require that all new construction, reconstruction or additions to existing facilities, regardless of type, that is permitted within the identified 100 year flood zones is subject to the County's Flood Damage Protection regulations. Policy 1.1.9.14 - Continue Amend the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code within one year to require new development activities to be consistent with the soil conditions in the area in which the activity is proposed. In those instances where soil modifications are necessary, all activities should utilize best management practices as identified by the Soil Conservation Service. Policy 1.1.9.15 - By December 2004, tThe County shall work with other agencies todevelop and approveconsider the financial feasibility of a plan to promote (through acquisition) or protect (through incentives), the establishment of designated wildlife corridors connecting viable environmental habitat in order to allow the survival of far ranging species and prevent the isolation of natural St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-38 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 communities by 2014. This plan is to be developed in cooperation with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Environmental RegulationProtection, the South Florida Water Management District, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the US Army Corps of Engineers and affected landowners. Objective 1.1.10: St. Lucie County shall continue to protect and manage the unique coastal resources of the County, balancing the need to provide reasonable private property use while assuring a full range of public beach access and recreational facilities for the residents of and visitors to the County. Policy 1.1.10.1 - Continue to enforce the provisions of the Hutchinson Island Residential District as described in the Land Development CodeLand Development Regulations. Policy 1.1.10.2 - Recognize that in accordance with the regulations of the Hutchinson Island Residential District, as described in the St. Lucie County Land Development Regulations Land Development Code, the maximum hotel/motel density may not exceed the maximum residential densities set forth through the Future Land Use designations, as determined on land above mean high water. Policy 1.1.10.3 - Future land development activities within the identified Hurricane Vulnerability ZoneCoastal High Hazard Area shall be consistent with Goal 7.2, its Objectives and Policies, as identified in evacuation plans and the Coastal Management Element of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Policy 1.1.10.4 - Explore regulatory incentives and criteria that encourage the preservation of viable water-dependent support facilities, such as public lodging establishments and boat hauling and repairing and commercial fishing facilities, and in maintaining the availability of public access to the navigable waters of the state by 2013. Objective 1.1.11: St. Lucie County shall continue to work with the interested groups and agencies to increase and broaden the County's economic base while expanding existing business and industrial opportunities. Policy 1.1.11.1 - St. Lucie County shall actively assist to the maximum extent practical in the recruitment of clean high growth industrial activities and maintain an expedited permitting process for bona fide economic development projects, especially those within the Targeted Industry List. Policy 1.1.11.2 - In addition to any other general standard for change in zoning as may be described in the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code, the following specific standards shall be incorporated into theLand Development RegulationsLand Development Code used infor determining the suitability of new property(s) for designation as Heavy Industrial under the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code: 1. Heavy Industrial property should have available to it central water services necessary for both domestic and fire protection purposes. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-39 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 2. New Heavy Industrial property shall not be located within 1,000 feet of any Aquatic Preserve, orother specially designated aquatic habitat or a Category I Wetlands as described in Policy 8.1.14.1 of the Conservation Element of this Plan. 3. New Heavy Industrial property should not be located within the 100 year flood plain. 4. Heavy Industrial property should have available to it heavy rail services for the receipt and distribution of products. 5. Heavy Industrial property should have immediate access to the regional transportation network without the need to travel through residential areas. 6. New Heavy Industrial property should have a minimum lot area of ten acres. 7. New Heavy Industrial property should not be located within any cone of influence, as identified under the County's wellfield protection program. 8. Heavy Industrial development shall not contribute to the degradation of surficial water quality. Policy 1.1.11.3 - In addition to any other general standard for change in zoning as may be described in the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code, the following specific standards shall be incorporated into theLand Development RegulationsLand Development Code forused in determining the suitability of new property(s) for designation as Light Industrial under the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code: 1. Light Industrial property should have available to it central water services necessary for both domestic and fire protection purposes. 2. New Light Industrial property should not be located within 500 feet of any Aquatic Preserve or other specially designated aquatic habitat or a Category I Wetlands as described in Policy 8.1.14.1 the Conservation Element of this Plan. 3. New Light Industrial areas should have immediate access to the regional transportation network. 4. New Light Industrial property should have a minimum lot size of one acre. 5. Light Industrial development shall not contribute to the degradation of surficial water quality. Ì¸·´¿²¹«¿¹» Policy 1.1.11.4-Mining/Industrial Extraction:An extractive use designation may ®»¹¿®¼·²¹Ó·²·²¹ñ occur in any future land use designation if all of the following criteria are met: ×²¼«¬®·¿´Û¨¬®¿½¬·±² ©¿°®»ª·±«´§·²¬¸» 1.The extractive operation does not adversely affect areas determined to be Ü¿¬¿×²ª»²¬±®§¿²¼ environmentally sensitive as defined in the Conservation Element; ß²¿´§·Í»½¬·±²ò Î»³±ª»¼°»®ÜÝß 2.The use is adequately buffered from surrounding land uses; ®»½±³³»²¼¿¬·±²ò 3.The use is compatible with surrounding land uses; St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-40 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 4.A plan has been developed which will allow for the reuse of the site in a manner which is compatible with surrounding land uses; and, 5.The proposed extraction operations arenot contrary to any of the provisions of the remaining elements of this plan or the county'sLand Development Code. Objective 1.1.12: Pursuant to Chapter 5.00.00 of theLand Development Regulations Land Development Code, all development orders and permits for future development and redevelopment activities shall be issued only if public facilities necessary to meet level of service standards (which are adopted as part of the Capital Improvements Element of this plan) are available concurrent with the impacts of the development. Policy 1.1.12.1 - Restrict higher densities and intensities of development to urban service areas, where public facilities are available. Policy 1.1.12.2 - Time the development of residential, commercial, and industrial land concurrently with provision of supporting community facilities, such as streets, utilities, police and fire protection service, emergency medical service, and public schools. Policy 1.1.12.3 - Permit only those proposed locations of public facilities which: a) maximize the efficiency of services provided; b) minimize their cost; and c) minimize their impacts on the natural environment. Policy 1.1.12.4 - Require that all development in areas not provided with central water and sewer services be governed by the provisions of Chapter 64-6, FAC., and the County’s Land Development Code Section 381.272, F.S., regulating on- site sewage disposal systems; and Chapter 10D-6, F.A.C., which regulates the installation of individual sewage disposal facilities. Policy 1.1.12.5 - Prior to the issuance of any final development order within the Urban Service Area, the County shall consider the proximity of the proposed development activity to the availability of urban and community services and facilities. Development which requires extending any of these services over or through significant distances of undeveloped land or land not already subject to the issuance of a final development order shall be discouraged until other lands that are more proximate to the existing services have been developed. Objective 1.1.13: The County shall continue to improve coordination with affected and appropriate governments and agencies to include their input into the development process and to mitigate potential adverse impacts of future development and redevelopment activities. Policy 1.1.13.1 - Coordinate requests for development orders or permits, as appropriate, with the City of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie Village, adjacent counties, special districts, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the South Florida Water Management District and state and federal agencies. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-41 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.13.2 - By January 31 each year, the County shall encourage the variousmunicipalities bodies within St. Lucie County, to develop and provide the County a Future Annexation Plan. Policy 1.1.13.3 - The County shall encourage the annexation of any isolated enclave area prior to the issuance of any County building authorizations within that enclave. Policy 1.1.13.4 - The County shall coordinate the review of all development proposals within the identified area of future annexation with the appropriate municipal body. Policy 1.1.13.5 - Develop Interlocal Agreements to jointly plan to address inter- jurisdictional impacts including fees to mitigate impacts on the entire transportation system. Objective 1.1.14: St. Lucie County shall eliminate or reduce land uses inconsistent with the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan unless otherwise referenced through the vesting of development rights. Policy 1.1.14.1 - St. Lucie County shall by December 31, 2004, develop andcontinue to implement a program to provide for the recapturing of previously approved development authorizations that have not been permitted for construction, excluding those development units or lots recognized as existing lots of record as further described in the County's Land Development Regulations Land Development Code. Policy 1.1.14.2 - St. Lucie County shall by December 31, 2004, develop andcontinue to implement a program to provide for specific maximum time periods in which approved development units or non-residential square footage must be constructed or the approvals authorizing its construction shall terminate and the approvals be rescinded. Objective 1.1.15: The County shall maintain the Airport Overlay zone in the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code to continue to provide for the location of only compatible uses of land within the vicinity of the St. Lucie County International Airport. Policy 1.1.15.1 - Enforce Section4.00.00 of the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code which identifies those properties likely to be impacted from development activities at the St. Lucie County International Airport and specifies what special measures or activity restrictions will be necessary in the development of these properties to minimize any adverse impacts. Policy 1.1.15.2 - Enforce Section 4.00.00 of the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code which enacts an Airport Height Regulation Ordinance, and encourages, as appropriate, the participation of all other effected units of government in the implementation of this ordinance. Policy 1.1.15.3 - Verify and relocate as necessary the 65 Ldn DNL line within the Airport Master Plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-42 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.15.4 - St. Lucie County shall continue to work toward the phasing out of incompatible land uses ensure the compatibility of land uses within the 65 Ldn DNLline as identified in the Airport Master Plan. Policy 1.1.15.5 The Airport Overlay Zone shall prohibit incompatible uses such as homes, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and libraries according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Land Use Compatibility and Airports, a Guide for Efficient Land Use Planning and those uses that create electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communication between aircraft and the airport; result in glare in the eyes of pilots using the airport; impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport; operate or install lights which are misleading or dangerous to aircraft operation; create bird strike hazards, or otherwise in any way endanger or interfere with the landing, takeoff, or maneuvering of aircraft intending to use the airport. Policy 1.1.15.6 - In accord with the Part 150 Study, the County shall facilitate noise abatement and mitigation projects such as the purchase, relocation, or soundproofing of homes, and noise abatement measures, and other noise mitigation measures. Policy 1.1.15.7- The County shall update the Land Development Regulations Land Development Code within one year of adoption of this element to provide for maintenance of up-to-date runway protection information. Objective 1.1.16: By June 2004,Within a year of adoption of this Comprehensive Plan, developamend the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code to allow compatible agri-tourism and eco-tourism facilities on or near resources preserved for public purpose according to the following policies:. Policy 1.1.16.1 - Require that the proposed facility be consistent with the provisions of the Coastal and Conservation Elements of this Plan. Policy 1.1.16.2 - Require that the proposed facility not negatively impact the resource through design standards which consider the carrying capacity of the resource, and the intensity and compatibility of the proposed use. Policy 1.1.16.3 - Require that the proposed facility be designed to contribute to the experience offered by the resource. Policy 1.1.16.4 - Require the developer to provide, as a part of the application, a study of the resource's carrying capacity and to establish a visitor monitoring program to avoid negative bio-physical impacts. Objective 1.1.17: Coordinate with the St. Lucie County School Board and other educational institutions to locate future educational facilities in a manner which provides for their needs without undue negative impact on the proposed school, surrounding land uses, or public facilities. Policy 1.1.17.1 - Future schools shall be allowable uses in all Future Land Use categories within the Urban Service Area except: Industrial (IND), Conservation - Public (Cpub), Residential/Conservation (R/C), Historic (H) and any Special District (SD) which is defined to exclude educational facilities. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-43 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.17.2 - The Future Land Use designation for land on which a school is constructed or planned to be constructed shall be changed to Public Facilities (P/F) Land Use at the earliest opportunity. Policy 1.1.17.3 - Schools shall not be located outside the Urban Service Area described in Policy 1.1.5.1 unless (a) the school is to be located on property owned by the School Board on or before January 1, 2001, or (b) it is demonstrated that the projected enrollment is primarily students which live outside of the Urban Service Area and are best served by a school also located outside of the Urban Service Area, or the school's curriculum focuses on agricultural uses consistent with those found in St. Lucie County. Policy 1.1.17.4 - Proposed school sites shall meet the following general criteria: a) Adequate public facilities and services, including roads, central water service, central sewer service, and other utilities shall be available concurrent with the opening of the school; b) There are no significant environmental constraints that would preclude development of a school on the site; c) There are no adverse impacts on archaeological or historic sites or structures listed on the State of Florida Historic Master File; d) Soils are suitable or adaptable for the proposed use; e) Required parking and circulation of vehicles on the site can be accommodated; and f) Where feasible, co-location with public facilities such as active parks, libraries, and community centers is considered. Policy 1.1.17.5 As provided in Chapter 1013, Florida Statutes, amend the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code mayto include reasonable development standards and conditions for school site plans in accordance with Chapter 1013 Florida Statutes, so long as those standards and conditions are not in conflict with Chapter 1013, Florida Statutes or the State Building Code. Policy 1.1.17.6 - When considering the acquisition and establishment of public facilities such as active parks, libraries, and community centers, the county shall, to the greatest extent possible, select a location which allows for the current or future co-location with a public school. Policy 1.1.17.7 - When selecting land for preservation, or passive parks and uses, the county shall consider the possibility of co-location with a school. Policy 1.1.17.8- The County shall coordinate with the St. Lucie School Board to ensure no schools are constructed within School Zones designated on the St. Lucie County International Airport School Construction Zone Map. Objective 1.1.18: St. Lucie County shall identify existing and future dredge spoil sites in a manner which does not negatively impact the surrounding area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-44 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.1.18.1 - St. Lucie County shall coordinate with, and assist, the Florida Inland Navigation District in the identification of dredge/spoil disposal sites associated with maintaining the Atlantic Intercoastal Intracoastal Waterway in St. Lucie County. Dredge disposal sites within the jurisdiction of the county should first be used to serve the needs of St. Lucie County and then, if sufficient capacity in the sites exist, extraterritorial depositions may be permitted. Policy 1.1.18.2 - St. Lucie County shall,byDecember 31, 2003,maintain develop local selection criteria that shall ensure the availability of sufficient sites to meet future dredge/spoil disposal needs associated with the County's stormwater improvement programs. The criteria to be established shall at a minimum address and be consistent with all applicable environmental and natural resource protection policies established within this Comprehensive Plan and supporting external documents and plans. The regulations affecting the local selection criteria for dredge/spoil disposal sites shall be included in the St. Lucie County Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code within one year of adoption of this Comprehensive Plan. Goal 1.2: Recognize that land use and transportation must be considered concurrently in all planning, and to the extent feasible, modify current land use patterns to decrease dependency on the automobile in order to minimize the need for future roadway expansion, and promote the use of alternate modes of transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Objective 1.2.1:Complete the Transportation/Land Use Study and implementpolicy based on its recommendations. Policy 1.2.1.1-Based on the recommendations of the Transportation/Land Use Study, modify Future Land Use designations where feasible. Policy 1.2.1.2-Modify County zoning designations consistent with Future Land Use. Policy 1.2.1.3-Based on the recommendations of the Transportation/Land Use Study, work with Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Martin County, Indian River County and Okeechobee County to modify Future Land Use and zoning where feasible. Policy 1.2.1.4-Encourage development consistent with the recommendations of the Transportation/Land Use Study. Objective 1.2.21: Continue to explore planning concepts which provide for fewer and/or shorter automobile trips. Policy 1.2.21.1: Explore development patterns which allow for employment and shopping opportunities in close proximity to residential uses. Policy 1.2.21.2: Provide for transit stop locations within appropriate developments and explore requiring developments on or near the transit system to contribute fee-in-lieu of for build out of the system by 2012. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-45 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.2.2.1.3: Support efforts to provide fixed route transit throughout the County, including light rail service. Policy 1.2.1.4- Explore the financial feasibility for inclusion in the St. Lucie County budget of adopting streetscape and develop design standards to promote pedestrian activity in development and redevelopment by December 2013. Policy 1.2.1.5 – The County shall consider inclusion in the St. Lucie County budget yearly financially feasible improvements and coordinate with the St. Lucie TPO and FDOT to implement the recommendations of the 2008 SLC Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Study as it may be amended when funding is available Policy 1.2.1.6 – Explore and implement Complete the study on innovative transportation funding practices that discourage sprawl such as a mobility fee that charges all new developments with costs varying on location and vehicles miles traveled (VMT) per the Transportation Element by December 2011. Goal 1.3: Recognize and plan for unique areas within the unincorporated county. Objective 1.3.1: Identify areas which have common internal characteristics and require planning as contiguous areas. The Indrio Road corridor,Treasure Coast Education, Research Development Authority (TCERDA), western lands and other areas designated by the Board of County Commissioners.White City, the area surrounding the Orange Blossom Mall, North Hutchinson Island, and South Hutchinson Island are examples. Policy 1.3.1.1 - Define the boundaries of appropriate planning areas. Policy 1.3.1.2 - Prioritize the identified planning areas for order of consideration. Policy 1.3.1.3 - Work with citizens of each area to identify issues and seek solutions which may include changes to local levels of service, available public services including roadways, future land use and zoning. Goal 1.4: Ensure through the Comprehensive Plan the development of energy efficient land use patterns and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions though innovative sustainable land planning tools which discourage urban sprawl, protect native habitat, reduced automobile use, and maintain open space. Objective 1.4.1 - Create a sustainable plan for the County's western lands that will preserve and conserve a functioning network of agriculture, open space, and natural areas while providing economically viable options for agricultural landowners, now and in the future based upon the Western Lands Study to be considered for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. Policy 1.4.1.1 - Explore techniques for preservation of agricultural and rural lands including additional action steps in the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast –Final Report. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-46 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.4.1.2 - Consider innovative partnerships between urban areas, local and regional governmental entities, and rural landowners that take advantage of the services and benefits that rural lands can provide to urban areas and the region as a whole. Examples might include compensating rural landowners to support CERP, IRL South Plan, and research on biofuels. Policy 1.4.1.3 Amend the Comprehensive Plan to define a transfer of development rights program that is consistent with the Western Lands Study as approved by the Board of County Commissioners that preserves and conserves agricultural areas, open spaces, and natural areas through a green infrastructure analysis. Policy 1.4.1.4: The County shall continue to support economic development activities that encourage biofuels production per the St. Lucie County Targeted Industry list. Policy 1.4.1.5 Strategies to be considered in the Western Land Study include targeting agricultural industries and activities that support bio-fuel production, promote agri-tourism, eco-tourism, promote/support local food marketing and branding, promote mass stormwater farming, storage and treatment, promote incentives for clustered development, and further habitat conservation. Objective 1.4.2: Encourage green building standards in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Policy 1.4.2.1 – In accordance with Section 255.2575, F.S. the County will continue to construct all future County buildings to meet the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system or the Florida Green Building Coalition standards. Policy 1.4.2.2–The County shall encourage the use of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system or the Florida Green Building Coalition standards for both residential and commercial properties. By December 2012, the County shall explore incentives for use of green building standards in new development and redevelopment. Policy 1.4.2.3 – Ensure the comprehensive plan and Land Development Code do not prevent the construction of electric substations within the County St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 1-47 Future Land Use Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 1.4.2.4 –Review Land Development Code and consider appropriate standards for use of alternate, renewable sources of energy including the use of solar panels except in environmentally sensitive areas by 2012. Policy 1.4.2.5 - The County shall facilitate the creation of low interest loans through the Solar and Energy Loan Fund to residents and business owners to install energy efficiency and conservation measures as well as renewable energy technology. Policy 1.4.2.6 - The County shall develop specific energy conservation goals for the rehabilitation of County buildings and facilities by December 2012. Objective 1.4.3: Maintain St. Lucie County Greenprint and implement specific actions as part of the Florida Green Building Council’s Green Local Government certification, including: Policy 1.4.3.1 - Utilizing Florida Friendly Landscaping™ standards, Integrated Pest Management principles, and Best Management Practices or similar/greater standard for all county owned and maintained properties. Policy 1.4.3.2 - Requireing all County facilities to have recycling programs in place. Policy 1.4.3.3 - Adopting Environmentally Preferred Purchasing policies to the extent feasible. Policy 1.4.3.4 - Adopting green cleaning and green maintenance techniques such as those described by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to the extent feasible. 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Ð·»®½» Ð±®¬ Í¬ò Ô«½·» Ó¿®¬·² Ý±«²¬§ n Í±«®½» æ Í¬ò Ô«½·» Ý±«²¬§ Ù®±©¬¸ Ó¿²¿¹»³»²¬ô îððç Ó·´» É»´´º·»´¼ Ð®±¬»½¬·±² Ô»¹»²¼ ðîòëë Ý±«²¬§ Þ±«²¼¿®§ ß®»¿ Ó«²·½·°¿´·¬·» Ó¿° æ ÚÔËóïï É»´´º·»´¼ Ð®±¬»½¬·±² Æ±²» Ð®·²¬ Ü¿¬» æ Ú»¾®«¿®§ô îðïð ×²¼·¿² Î·ª»® Ý±«²¬§ Í¬ò Ô«½·» Ê·´´¿¹» Ú±®¬ Ð·»®½» Ð±®¬ Í¬ò Ô«½·» Ó¿®¬·² Ý±«²¬§ n Í±«®½» æ Í¬ Ô«½·» Ù®±©¬¸ Ó¿²¿¹»³»²¬ô îððç Ô»¹»²¼ Ó·´» Ë®¾¿² Í»®ª·½» Þ±«²¼¿®§ ðîòëë Ý±«²¬§ Þ±«²¼¿®§ Ó¿° æ ÚÔËóïî Í¬®»»¬ Ó«²·½·°¿´·¬·» Ë®¾¿² Í»®ª·½» Þ±«²¼¿®§ Ð®·²¬ Ü¿¬» æ ß°®·´ô îðïð TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT DATA, INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION Until the early 1900’s access to St. Lucie County was essentially restricted to ocean going and inland waterway vessels. What few roads existed in the area were more or less dirt trails. Trips to neighboring communities that, in contemporary society, are now measured in minutes would often take all day or, in some cases, several days. With the construction of the Florida East Coast Railroad, in the 1910’s, St. Lucie County was now better able to export its agricultural products and to import the goods that it needed to grow. In the 1920’s and 1930’s the coastal road, known as the Federal Highway, provided an effective ground route to the cities of Miami and Jacksonville. Historically, St. Lucie County has been an agricultural community. Until the early 1970’s, there was little need for an extensive internal county road network, other than what was necessary to serve the immediate needs of the citrus and ranching community. In many instances, roadway and agricultural drainage canals shared the same right-of-way. However, with the explosive growth that the County has been experiencing over the last 25 years, and with the rates that are expected in the future, the need for an efficient transportation network grows at the same rate, or perhaps faster. This element addresses the requirements of Rule 9J-5.019, Florida Administrative Code (FAC), for the development of the Transportation Element of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the Transportation Element is to plan for a coordinated, multi-modal transportation system for all of St. Lucie County. This element has been developed in coordination with the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and the Transportation elements of the City of Ft. Pierce and Port St. Lucie Local Comprehensive Plans. This Element provides for the coordination between the Future Land Use Element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and both the short and long term transportation needs for St. Lucie County. EXISTING ROADWAY CONDITIONS As of September 2008, St. Lucie County maintained approximately 517 centerline miles of roadway throughout the County. Of these roads, approximately 374 miles are paved and 143 miles unpaved. The City of Port St. Lucie maintains approximately 877 centerline miles of roadway the City of Fort Pierce maintains approximately 136 centerline miles of roadway, while the St. Lucie Village maintains approximately 4 centerlines miles of roadway. Table 2-1 provides a summary of the major traffic arteries in the County and their functional classification. The roadway information identified in Table 2-1 is not intended to be inclusive of all roadways in the community. St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie, and Fort Pierce maintain complete lists of all roadways in the county indicating their functional classification and maintenance responsibility. Table 2-2 provides a summary of the State Roadway System in St. Lucie County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-1 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-1 Local Roadway System St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-2 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-3 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Facilities In 2003, the Strategic Intermodal System was established through Florida legislation. The state sets level of service standards for the SIS facilities. It is strongly recommended by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that local governments involve the FDOT in development review process at an early stage if the proposed development impacts any SIS facility. A list of all designated and emerging SIS facilities in St. Lucie County are shown in Table 2-2. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-4 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-2 SIS FACILITIES IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY Intrastate Highway System (FIHS) The Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS) was created in 1990 by the Florida Legislature and is composed of interconnected limited and controlled access roadways including interstate highways, Florida’s Turnpike, selected urban expressways and major arterial highways. The FIHS is a statewide transportation network that provides for high- speed and high-volume traffic movement within the state. The primary function of the system is to serve interstate and regional commerce and other long distance trips. The system is intended to accommodate High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOVs), express bus transit and, in some corridors, passenger rail service. In St. Lucie County, three roadways are part of the FIHS: all of the Florida’s Turnpike, all of I-95, and State Road 70 /Okeechobee Road from South Jenkins Road (east side of I- 95 limited access fence) to the Okeechobee County line. Table 2-3 lists all the State Highway System roadways in the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-5 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-3 St. Lucie County State Highway System TRANSIT The existing transit system in St. Lucie County consists of fixed route buses and demand response service. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners serves as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC). The CTC is responsible for coordinating transit service among public service agencies in St. Lucie County. The fixed route services and demand response services provided to St. Lucie County are by a division of Council On Aging of St. Lucie, Inc. (COASL). All fixed route/Community Transit services are provided by the Treasure Coast Connector (TCC). A general description of existing fixed-route and paratransit services provided in St. Lucie County are summarized below. The Community Transit consists of six fixed bus routes in St. Lucie County, including one regional fixed bus route. All bus routes are provided Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. The ridership is constantly increasing since the bus service has been started. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-6 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Fixed Route Service Route 1: Route 1 operates along US 1 from the Stuart, Martin County to downtown Fort Pierce on weekdays, between hours 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with headways of one hour. This route serves all major trip generators and attractors on this corridor. It connects with route 2 and route 3. Route 2: Route 2 isknown as the ‘North Fort Pierce Residential Transit’ runs in downtown Fort Pierce and circulates within the City of Fort Pierce. This route runs along Avenue D, to rdth 53 Street, Juanita Avenue and back to 8 Street. The hours of service are from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with headways of one hour. Route 3: Route 3 is known as the ‘South Fort Pierce Business Transit’ also runs in the downtown Fort Pierce and circulates within City of Fort Pierce. This route runs along Orange rd Avenue to 33 Street to Okeechobee Road as far west as Peters Road, traveling east to rdth Virginia Avenue, 23 Street to Okeechobee Road connecting to 8 Street. The hours of service are from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with headways of one hour. Route 4: Route 4 is known as the Port. St Lucie Downtown Trolley, which runs in downtown Port St. Lucie. This route runs from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with headways of one hour in the vicinity of Morningside Library and connects to the Port St. Lucie Community Center, Walton Road and transfer riders to the US-1 Treasure Coast Connector Route. Route 5: Route 5 was recently implemented in March, 2009. This route provides transit service between the Port St. Lucie Community Center and Tradition Landings using Gatlin Boulevard and Port St. Lucie Boulevard. Similarly to the other fixed bus routes, Route 5 operates from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with headways of one hour. Route 6: Route 6 was also recently implemented in March, 2009. This route operates from the Port St. Lucie Community Center to Prima Vista Crossing, and then to the Shoppes at St. Lucie West Publix Shopping Center and Tradition Field Stadium. Route 6 operates from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with headways of one hour. Paratransit Service Community Transit provides door to door paratransit services for the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) program and the transportation disadvantaged program throughout St. Lucie County. The paratransit service runs Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Park and Ride There are currently two park and ride lots located in St. Lucie County, one on Bayshore Boulevard at Florida’s Turnpike and one on Bayshore Boulevard south of Gatlin St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-7 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Boulevard. Park and ride lots are dedicated (joint use or stand-alone) locations for private automobiles for carpooling and, in some cases, transit. Parking Generally, St. Lucie County has sufficient capacity of public and private parking facilities. One of the largest parking public parking facilities is located in downtown Ft. Pierce behind City Hall and has a capacity of 465 parking spaces. EXISTING BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN CONDITIONS St. Lucie County recognizes the need for pedestrian and bicycle accommodations as an integral component of a Countywide transportation System. The development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and the encouragement of their use serves several important purposes which benefit all of the citizens of St. Lucie County. Health and physical benefits: Bicycling and walking are healthy modes of transportation that, when incorporated into a daily routine, can be both a sustainable and time-efficient exercise. Environmental benefits: Bicycling and walking can replace short distance motor vehicle trips which are the least fuel efficient and generate the most pollution per mile traveled. Transportation benefits: Roadway improvements to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians can also enhance safety for motorists by reducing run-off road, head-on, and sideswipe motor vehicle crashes. Roadway widening and drainage improvements can also result in a decrease in the rate of normal roadside erosion and degradation, thereby increasing road longevity and reducing maintenance costs. Traffic calming effects of bicycle and pedestrian improvements in some areas can also serve to reduce vehicle speeds without reducing vehicle capacity, resulting in a decrease of the likelihood of serious injury or death in a motor vehicle accident. Potential reductions in both roadway congestion and parking requirements due to bicycling or walking can result in considerable savings due to decreased roadway and/or parking construction/improvement costs. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities can also serve to greatly increase the accessibility and viability of transit service. Recreational benefits: Bicycle and pedestrian facilities can provide an easily accessible outdoor resource for many forms of recreation, particularly when these facilities are located in scenic environments and/or in conjunction with other recreational facilities. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-8 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Quality of life benefits: Bicycle and pedestrian facilities, depending upon their setting, have the capacity to provide significant educational, cultural, societal, and economic benefits. St. Lucie County currently requires that pedestrian accommodations be incorporated into all urban roadway construction/improvement projects. Federal and State guidelines also address the provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in conjunction with roadway improvement projects. On May 6, 2008, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the St. Lucie County Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Master Plan completed by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The St. Lucie County Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Master Plan inventoried all the existing sidewalks, bike paths, missing sidewalks, and provided suggestions to improve the system. Sidewalk Gaps on State Roadways The recent SLC Bicycle Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails study utilizes FDOT roadway inventories to determine gaps along State roadways for potential funding purposes. The study identifies the following sections of state roadways to have missing or incomplete sidewalks: S.R. A1A – Blue Heron Boulevard to Fire Station #8 S.R. A1A – Angelfish Drive to Indian River County Line S.R. 5 (U.S-1) – Rio Mar Drive to Edwards Road (portions under construction) S.R. 5 (U.S-1) – North of Euclid Street to Indian River County Line S.R. 607 (Emerson Avenue) – Indrio Road to Indian River County Line S.R. 614 (Indrio Road) – I-95 to Old Dixie Highway S.R. 615 (25th Street) – U.S-1 to Industrial Avenue 3 S.R. 615 (25th Street) – Midway Road to Edwards Road (under construction) S.R. 70 (Okeechobee Road) – Crossroads Parkway to Jenkins Road S.R. 70 (Okeechobee Road) – Darter Court to Crossroads Parkway S.R. 70 (Okeechobee Road) – West of Kings Highway S.R. 70 (Virginia Avenue) – Okeechobee Road to Hartman Road S.R. 713 (Kings Highway) – Okeechobee Road to Indrio Road S.R. 713 (Turnpike Feeder) – Indrio Road to Susan Lane S.R. 713 (Turnpike Feeder) – south of Spanish Lakes Boulevard to U.S-1 Furthermore, the bicycle and pedestrian systems analysis portion of the study is intended to serve as input to St. Lucie County’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways, and Trails Master Plan. The bicycle and pedestrian systems analysis provides input to the Master Plan regarding gaps and missing links in the network, demand for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and crash information to determine hazardous intersections and locations. The high bicycle and pedestrian crash corridors found during the study period include U.S. 1, Okeechobee Road, Orange Avenue, Port St. Lucie Boulevard, and St. Lucie West Boulevard. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-9 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The St. Lucie TPO seeks to prioritize funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements that will complete missing gaps in bike lane and sidewalk networks that will serve areas of the County that experience higher bicycle and pedestrian usage. The improvements will address areas of potential safety concerns, and will enhance the network around schools. In addition, FDOT funds can be used to implement bicycle and pedestrian improvements along roadways that connect to the state roadway system. The County would like to continue to work towards the implementation of the St. Lucie TPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The St. Lucie County’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways, and Trails Master Plan considers both on-road facilities and off-road bicycle and pedestrian pathways. The ultimate goal is to develop an interconnected network of greenways, trails, bike lanes, and sidewalks to enhance non-motorized transportation options in St. Lucie County. PORT/AIRPORT/RAIL/WATERWAY St. Lucie County is home to the Port of Ft. Pierce and the St. Lucie County International Airport. Heavy rail freight service in the County is provided by the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway passes through the eastern part of the county via the Indian River Lagoon. St. Lucie County International Airport The St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR) is located north of Fort Pierce. It is a general aviation airport that serves several flight schools, an airplane manufacturer, and several businesses ancillary to airport and flight operations. It serves charter flights to and from the Bahamas, as well as, flights throughout the continental United States. Federal Express and United Parcel Services have flight operations from here. The Airport Industrial Park, just to the east of the airport, also benefits from the proximity to the airport and its services. The vast 3,660 acre airport property is owned by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and is managed by the County’s Airport Department. Because of the availability of developable airport property, a strong potential for both aviation and non-aviation related growth exists at the airport Within St. Lucie County, much of the airport property and surrounding area is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). The Florida Aviation System Plan (FASP) 2025 identifies two types of airports: commercial service and community airports – the FDOT selected the term “community airport” rather than “general aviation” to emphasize the importance of the airport to the community it serves. Since FPR only serves general aviation activity at this time, it is classified as a community airport. However, the FASP 2025 indicates that FPR may attract future commercial airline services associated with tourism, business, and international passengers. (Source: Draft St. Lucie County International Airport Master Plan Update, March 2009). Residential development is normally not compatible with 65 DNL (average day/night sound level) or greater unless soundproofing is incorporated into the structure or the community determines that this type of development is necessary in this noise environment. Future noise contours, which consider expansion of the airport facilities, show that the 65 DNL (average day/night sound level).encompasses a portion of the residential development to the east and southeast of the Airport. An FAR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study was completed in 2005 which included a detailed noise study to specifically identify noise sensitive areas around the Airport. With an approved Part 150 Study, the FAA and FDOT may provide funding to the Airport in sponsoring noise St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-10 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 abatement and mitigation projects such as the purchase, relocation, or soundproofing of homes, and noise abatement measures, and other noise mitigation measures. Certain recommendations were approved including 4 mile Airport notification to residential developers requiring the disclosure of the existence of the airport and aircraft operating in the area, limitation of school development where F.S. Chapter 333 prohibits schools off the ends of runways, and noise easements and/or sound insulation for new residential development in the 60 DNL noise contour. The Airport also instituted Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures for aircraft in consideration of residential uses south and east of the airport. Additional issues to airport operators are wildlife hazards, tall structures, towers that may create electrical interference with radio transmissions or Navaids, and lighting or glare that could create hazard for pilots using the airport. Furthermore, as a condition of accepting grants for the Airport, the County is required to protect the Airport from incompatible development. The County does have an Airport Overlay Zone in the Land Development Code, which helps address issues dealing with incompatible land uses. The St. Lucie County International Airport protection zones are shown in Figure 2-1. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-11 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Port of Ft. Piece The Port of Ft. Pierce is the region’s only deep water port, maintaining a channel depth of 28 feet. The County serves as the Port Authority for the Port of Ft. Pierce. The County incorporated a Port Sub-element in the Comprehensive Plan in 2002 as required by Florida statutes. Much of the Port Planning Area lies within the City of Fort Pierce and the Fort Pierce Community Redevelopment Area. A small portion of the Port Planning Area lies within unincorporated St. Lucie County and development of this portion is governed by the County’s Future Land Use Element, the Port Sub-element, and the County’s Land Development Code. The 2002 update of the Port of Fort Pierce Master Plan was adopted by the St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners, Ordinance 02-014. The Master Plan provides general goals, objectives and policies to encourage gentrification of the port through a mix of recreational, commercial residential and industrial uses. The plan was also written to strengthen local control over the port uses, and provide flexibility to ensure governmental coordination. The Port Master Plan reflects a vision of how the Port could capitalize on its unique potential for diversified maritime and other waterfront uses of both a public and private nature. That vision sees the Port as a distinctive destination, serving as a catalyst for complementary and recreational development. In addition to the Port Master Plan, the County also adopted the Port of Fort Pierce Implementation Plan. The Port is bounded by the State Road A1A causeways on the north and the south, on the west by US 1- State Road 5/Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) and on the east by the Indian River Lagoon. The area can be accessed from the intersections of US 1 & Second Street, Seaway Drive at the Indian River Drive, and US 1/Ave H and Seaway Drive/Indian River Drive. The principal arteries in the region, both I-95 and the Turnpike, are easily accessible from the Port through SR 70 (Okeechobee Road) and Orange Avenue. Currently, the Port is not designated a SIS facility but is identified as a Freight Activity Center (FAC) in the MPO 2030 LRTP. The Port has on-site direct access to the Florida East Coast Railroad. Existing Rail and Freight Conditions Heavy rail freight service in St. Lucie County is provided by the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad which serves the east coast of Florida from Jacksonville to Miami. The Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad runs through eastern Fort Pierce parallel to US 1, and ties into another track which runs across the southwest portion of the City. The Florida East Coast (FEC) is a SIS-Designated facility in the St. Lucie County. The Florida East Coast (FEC) Intermodal Yard is identified as the Freight Activity Center (FAC) in MPO’s proposed future SIS. The South Central Florida Express (SCFE) is an independent short line railroad, owned and operated by US Sugar, along Glades Cutoff Road. The SCFE provides the service from southwest to northeast portions of St. Lucie County. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway traverses the eastern edge of St. Lucie County via the Indian River Lagoon. The Waterway is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and, there is one drawbridge crossing at the SR A1A access to North Hutchinson Island. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-13 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Figure 2-3 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-14 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Intracoastal Waterway serves as a means of access to the Fort Pierce Inlet for both recreational and business uses. The nearest ocean inlets north and south of the Fort Pierce Inlet are the Sebastian Inlet to the north and the St. Lucie Inlet to the south. Of these three area inlets, the Fort Pierce Inlet is generally recognized as being the safest to navigate due to limited shoaling and predictable currents. Hurricane Evacuation In 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corp of Engineers completed the Treasure Coast Regional Hurricane Evacuation Study Update to the original 1994 study. This study includes an evaluation of the Treasure Coast region and its ability to properly evacuate the area in response to a hurricane. Generally, the In-County evacuation time for St. Lucie County, under the worst case scenario, are 14.25 hours. In-County evacuation is considered to be the type of evacuation where County residents do not leave the area. Out-of-County evacuation times have not been computed on a County by County basis. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corp of Engineers completed the Treasure Coast Regional Hurricane Evacuation Study calculated regional clearance times. Regional clearance times are considered to be a truer indication of the evacuation needs in the event that a Category 3 or high storm were to approach the Treasure Coast. The worst case scenario under the regional evacuation plan requires 30 hours of evacuation time. The original study identified four transportation corridors that may be considered regional evacuation routes, I-95; the Florida Turnpike; SR 70, west of Fort Pierce and CR 68, west of Fort Pierce. All other primary evacuation routes would be considered local evacuation routes. The significance between these two locally designated evacuation route classifications is that a local evacuation route is not as likely to have regional evacuation traffic on it during an evacuation event. However, it is possible that there could be extreme levels of congestion at the points of intersection between these local and regional routes. LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS Level of Service is a method of describing the operating condition of a roadway in relation to the volume of traffic using that roadway. Factors which influence level of service include the number of vehicle lanes, the number of vehicles on the roadway, speed of these vehicles, traffic interruptions, ability to maneuver freely and safely as well as the driving comfort and convenience of the public. Level of Service Standards are to be used as a guide for transportation planning purposes and to identify roadway needs and to provide a measure for determining time and type of roadway improvement. In establishing Level of Service, Rule 9J-5.005, FAC, states: Level of Service Standards: Level of service standards shall be established for ensuring that adequate facility capacity will be provided for future development and for purposes of issuing development orders or development permits pursuant to Section 163.3202(2)(g), Florida Statutes. Each local government shall establish a level of service standard for each public facility located within the boundary for which such local government has authority to issue development orders or development permits. Such level of service standards shall be set for each individual facility or facility type and not on a system wide basis. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-15 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Rule 9J5.019(4)(c)(1), FAC, provides the following additional input regarding levels of service as they relate to transportation planning: Establishment of level of service standards at peak hour for roads and public transit facilities within the local government’s jurisdiction. For facilities on the Florida Intrastate Highway System as defined in s. 338.001, F.S., the local governments shall adopt the level of service standards established by the Department of Transportation by rule. For all other facilities on the future traffic circulation map, local governments shall adopt adequate level of service standards... Table 2-4 shows the level of service standards for urban and non-urban roadways in St. Lucie County. Table 2-4 Non-SISMinimum Level of Service Standards for Urban and Non-Urban Roadways in St. Lucie County SIS Facilities Level of Service Standards SIS Roadway CorridorsRoadway SegmentLOS Standard I-95Martin County Line to Gatlin BoulevardC I-95Gatlin Boulevard to St. Lucie BoulevardC I-95St. Lucie Boulevard to Midway RoadC I-95Midway Road to SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadC I-95SR 70/ Okeechobee Road to SR 68/ D Orange Avenue St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-16 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 SIS Roadway CorridorsRoadway SegmentLOS Standard I-95SR 68/ Orange Avenue to SR 614/ Indrio D Road I-95SR 614/ Indrio Road to Indian River County C Line Florida’s TurnpikeMartin County Line to Becker RoadC Florida’s TurnpikeBecker Road to Port St. Lucie BoulevardC Florida’s Turnpike Port St. Lucie Boulevard to SR 70/ C Okeechobee Road Florida’s TurnpikeSR 70/ Okeechobee Road to Indian River B County SR 70/ Okeechobee Road Okeechobee County Line to Carlton RoadB SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadCarlton Rod to McCarthy RoadB SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadMcCarthy Road to Florida’s TurnpikeB SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadFlorida’s Turnpike to I-95C The County wishes to maintain a LOS D or better for all Non-SIS roadways but recognizes that allowing a LOS E for non-state arterial roadways allows development to proceed while a minimum of LOS D might cause severe constraints on private development. Therefore, the County has adopted a minimum LOS E for all non state arterial roadways. However, a LOS D will be utilized for all non-state arterial roadways when establishing transportation impact fees. Existing Level of Service Analysis St. Lucie County and FDOT collect the traffic counts on the state and major roadways within the county.Table 2-5, shows the most recent generalized peak hour traffic volumes and level of service conditions for the County’s roadway network based on the minimum levels of service standards identified in Table 2-4. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-17 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-18 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-19 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-20 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-21 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-22 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Roadway Improvement Strategies Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) The Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) was enacted by the Florida Statues through Senate Bill 360 in 2005. To encourage regional planning and improvements of regional facilities, the State matches funds with regional partners. To meet the requirements of TRIP funding, the local authorities have to enter into an interlocal agreement and need to develop a regional plan. The St. Lucie TPO along with the Martin and Indian River MPOs entered into an interlocal agreement in April 2006. As with the new legislation, new regional transportation projects may be eligible for TRIP if they meet the regional needs. Currently, improvements on SR-70/Okeechobee Road are funded through TRIP. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies and techniques can be used to increase the efficiency of the transportation system. Demand management focuses on ways of influencing the amount and demand for transportation by encouraging alternatives to the single-occupant automobile and by altering peak hour travel demand. These strategies and techniques include: ridesharing programs, flexible work hours, telecommuting, shuttle services, and parking management. TDM also is effective at lower residential densities than are required for most public transit and pedestrian and bicycle programs. Proposed candidate roadways for TDM/TSM strategies include US 1 from Edwards Road to St. Lucie Boulevard; Oleander Avenue from Kitterman Road to Sunrise Boulevard; and Floresta Drive from Airoso Boulevard to Southbend Boulevard. For those roads on which both road widening and TDM/TSM are proposed, TDM/TSM projects could replace the widening project. Transportation System Management (TSM) TSM means improving roads, intersections, and other related facilities to make the existing transportation system operate more efficiently. Intersection improvement, signal timing improvements, and access management are the part of TSM currently used in St. Lucie County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-23 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Congestion Management System (CMS) Congestion Management Processes are required by all MPOs in the state of Florida. The objective of a CMP is to develop processes for short and long term solutions for congested corridors utilizing a wide range of strategies. The most recent St. Lucie CMS, developed in 2008, utilizes two tiers. The first tier identifies congested roadways while the second tier identifies strategies that can be funded. Backlogged Facilities/ Constrained Corridors The St. Lucie TPO has identified several constrained corridors where additional lanes are not feasible. The County has implemented different CMS strategies to mitigate the failing roadway segments. Proportionate Fair Share: St. Lucie County has adopted a Proportionate Fair Share Ordinance which requires new developments to mitigate its project impacts if the roadway’s projected capacity is lower than the adopted LOS. Energy Conservation and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by minimizing the number of vehicles on the roadway and the time spent on the roadway. Effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include increased transit ridership, more efficient roadways, and promoting transportation by walking and bicycling. As discussed in this Element, St. Lucie County has extensive plans to increase the number of future transit routes and ridership numbers. It is also important that all new development and redevelopment promote the County transit goals. Strategies such as TDM and TSM can effectively increase the efficiency of the County roadways. Congested roadways and the time vehicles spend idling at intersections greatly increase the production of greenhouse gases into the environment. The signal timing optimization of key roadways in the County can provide a great benefit to the reduction of greenhouse gases by minimizing the number of vehicle stops. The County intends to promote multi-modal transportation through the means of new sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and greenways as outlined in the Mast Plan. The recent SLC Bicycle Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails study also provides input to the Master Plan regarding gaps and missing links in the network, and demand for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Mobility Fee In accordance with requirements adopted in Senate Bill (SB) 360,St. Lucie County is considering implementing a mobility fee to encourage in-fill development in urbanized areas. The Joint Report on the Mobility Fee Methodology Study was submitted on December 1, 2009 to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by the DCA and FDOT as required in SB 360. The report defines a mobility fee as “a charge on all new development to provide mitigation for its impact on the transportation system. However, a mobility fee is not a substitute for site related improvements for safety, access and internal circulation, which may still be required under local Land Development Code.” St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-24 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 TheJoint Report on the Mobility Fee Methodology Study identified the following principles for the mobility fee approach: Ensure all new development provides mitigation for its impacts on the transportation system in approximate proportionality to those impacts, and new development should not be required to pay for existing system backlogs and deficiencies; Be transparent and predictable in its application; Be structured and implemented on at least a countywide basis and may be extended to include multi-county areas; Be designed to provide for mobility needs including at a minimum roadways, transit, bikeways, pedestrian walkways, and where applicable other transportation facilities; Be able to fund multi-modal transportation improvements, including capital projects, system efficiency and congestion management strategies and transit operating costs that support the provision of transit service for new development; Fairly distribute the mobility fee among the governmental entities responsible for maintaining impacted roadways and other transportation facilities necessary to provide for mobility; In order to promote compact, mixed use and energy efficient development a mobility fee should: Be sensitive to vehicle or person miles traveled and vary by location and o development type; Have a fee structure that encourages shorter trips and reduction of total o travel (as well as reduction of greenhouse gases); and Have a fee structure that charges more per trip in areas where long o distance travel is unavoidable. Allow for some level of local/ regional flexibility in the implementation of mobility fees: The land use and transportation strategies, multi-modal improvement o priorities, methodologies and intergovernmental procedures for mobility fees may vary from county to county; Allow the continuation of current alternative approaches for o implementation of mobility fees; and Should be authorized in the comprehensive plan of each local o government within the county. FUTURE CONDITIONS Capital Improvement Projects The Capital Improvement Element identifies funded projects for St. Lucie County for the next 5 years. Table 2-6 lists all the state roadway projects in St. Lucie County for the next 5 years. Capacity improvements on state roadways are planned for Kings Highway, SR 70, Midway Road, and Lennard Road. Additionally Table 2-7 lists all County roadway projects identified in the St. Lucie Capital Improvement Plan. [Note: Tables to be updated with FY 2011 CIE update.] St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-25 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-6 Capital Improvement Plan – State Roadway Projects St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-26 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-27 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-28 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Source: Capital Improvement Element Update FY 09/10 – 13/14. [To be updated with FY 11 update] St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-29 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-7 Capital Improvement Plan – County Roadway Projects Source: Capital Improvement Element Update FY 09/10 – 13/14. [To be updated with FY 11 update] St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-30 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 2030 St. Lucie County Transportation Plan The St. Lucie County Transportation Plan is a comprehensive, long-range outline of all major needed or desired transportation projects through the planning year 2030. Modeling and analysis of this plan has been done concurrent with the development of the St. Lucie and Martin County Regional Long Range Transportation Plan (RLRTP). The RLRTP was adopted in February 2006 and was last amended in September 2008. The St. Lucie TPO and Martin County MPO were both responsible for developing their elements of the RLRTP. However, both Counties worked together to construct a regional plan that would accommodate the future needs of the Treasure Coast region. Essentially, the 2030 St. Lucie Transportation Plan is the St. Lucie Element of the 2030 St. Lucie and Martin County Regional Long Range Transportation Plan. In addition to identifying those projects that have been shown to be a quantitative need as traditionally considered in a future transportation plan program, the 2030 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan also includes a number of projects that are designed to provide for improved community mobility, network connectivity, and the development of alternative transportation corridors that reduce reliance on the Interstate Highway System (I-95) for the trips of short duration, typically one-exit trips. When combined with the traditional needs plan projects, the 2030 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan identifies the base transportation system necessary to meet the goals and objectives through 2030, and beyond, based on the community’s future land use plans. The Regional Long Range Transportation Plan has been developed in several steps. The first step was to analyze the existing network using baseline conditions to establish local demographic and roadway conditions. The second step was to use the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Model (TCRPM) to forecast future traffic volumes and levels of service. The third, and final, step was to develop a program of transportation projects that would relieve areas determined to be points of existing or future congestion. This last phase has been developed in coordination with the City of Fort Pierce, the City of Port St. Lucie, and Martin County. Analysis of Existing and Future Conditions To provide a standardized analysis of expected future transportation conditions in St. Lucie County, a computerized model was run using input data provided by St. Lucie County and Martin County. The output of this model was forecasted traffic volumes and roadway performance (level-of-service) based on the adopted future land use plans of the local area. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Model (TCRPM) was developed using the Florida Standard Urban Transportation Modeling Structure (FSUTMS) travel demand modeling software. FSUTMS utilizes land use (socio-economic) data to generate simulated trips, and a gravity model to distribute and assign those trips to a simulated transportation system. The geographic area encompassed by the TCRPM includes Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties. As part of the modeling work done for the St. Lucie and Martin 2030 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan, the TCRPM was validated to the base year 2000. A model is considered to be validated when it replicates field conditions to an St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-31 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 acceptable degree. In the case of the TCRPM, the model was made to replicate 2000 traffic counts. The validated model was used to project future transportation system conditions for the 2030 St. Lucie and Martin Regional Long Range Transportation Plan (RLRTP). This was accomplished by inputting Year 2030 land use, or socio-economic data, into the model. The Effect of Land Use on the TCRPM Land use drives all FSUTMS models, including the TCRPM. Land use information is input into the model, and person trips are generated in numbers that are contingent upon the size and types of land uses. These trips are then assigned to the simulated transportation network. Existing land uses replicate existing conditions; while land use forecasts predict future conditions. St. Lucie County has been divided into 467 Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs). These zones represent specific geographic units that are coordinated to the existing traffic circulation network and local census block and tract designations. Forecast data sets of population and housing; employment; and other socio-economic characteristics were developed based upon both existing land use patterns and projected development activity through the year 2030. Countywide socio-economic data regarding vacant, developable acreage per Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ), based upon (1) the Future Land Use Map and (2) information regarding approved development were obtained. This information was used in conjunction with local knowledge to assign socio-economic data to TAZs. Development of the 2030 Transportation Plan Identification of the Existing + Committed (E+C) Network One of the first steps in developing the 2030 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan + was to identify the Existing Committed (E+C) transportation network that will be used as the base network for developing the 2030 Plan future year modeling and travel demand forecasting. The list of Existing + Committed projects (E + C Network) were developed using the following sources: I. Roadway improvements completed between 2000 and 2005 II. St. Lucie County TPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) III. Martin County MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) IV. Developer funded projects and roadways Together, these sources list all transportation projects programmed in St. Lucie County through the year 2010. The improvements outlined in Table 2-8, represent the existing plus committed projects used to develop the 2030 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan. The projects identified as Built/Committed represent projects that have already been constructed by St. Lucie County or are planned to be built between the years 2000 and 2010. Developer projects indicate projects that will be funded by a developer by 2030. Analysis of Future Roadway Conditions St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-32 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Using the E+C coded network, model runs were performed using the TCRPM to forecast traffic volumes and conditions for the year 2030 assuming no improvements to the local road network other than those shown in the E+C network. The results provided an estimate of where congestion can be expected, and how severe that congestion will be. The standard used for calculating road performance was volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio. V/C ratio is a measure of the amount of traffic a roadway is actually carrying in proportion to the amount of traffic it was designed to carry. A V/C ratio of 1.0 represents a road that is carrying the theoretical maximum amount of traffic possible to operate acceptably. For the purposes of this evaluation, roads were considered to be congested if they had a Year 2030 V/C ratio of 1.0 or greater. Analysis of the model runs indicated that much of the existing or expected congestion th lies on the major north-south corridors, such as U.S. Highway 1, 25 Street, Kings Highway, and the Florida Turnpike. However, east-west roads connecting to these north- south corridors will also see their share of capacity deficiencies. Roads such as Okeechobee Road, Indrio Road, and Midway Road in the north part of the County, as well as Port St. Lucie Boulevard in the south, can expected to see significant congestion by 2030, if capacity improvements are not made. Continuing development, particularly in the south part of the County, is expected to put additional strain on roads serving certain areas. This is particularly true of roads such as Jenkins Road, St. James Drive, South 25th Street, and Airoso Boulevard, all of which provide access to developing residential areas. Table 2-9 lists the congested roadway segments that can be expected in the year 2030 if no improvements are made beyond those shown in the E+C Network plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-33 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-8 Existing + Committed Roadway Improvement Projects St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-34 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-35 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-9 Existing + Committed Roadways St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-36 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Roadway Needs Assessment The next step in the development of the 2030 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan is to identify those projects necessary to relieve, to the greatest extent possible, the levels of existing or projected congestion forecast by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Model. Table 2-10 documents the roadway needs network for St. Lucie County by 2030. Lanes were added to the facilities where forecast volumes exceeded the roadways Level of Service capacity threshold. No new roadways were included in the roadway needs assessment beyond those identified in the Existing + Committed roadway network or developer funded projects. Additionally, no lanes were added to facilities identified as congested by the St. Lucie TPO or where more than eight lanes were needed. The cost feasible and needs projects from the adopted 2025 LRTP was evaluated by the St. Lucie TPO to determine whether the roadway projects were still applicable for the new 2030 forecasts. The majority of the projects remained from the 2025 LRTP with a few exceptions. The City of Port St. Lucie has identified additional projects needs in response to the significant activity associated with the Western Annexation area Development of Regional Impact (DRIs) in addition to the needs assessment. The most notable project includes an Interchange Justification Report (IJR) for a new interchange at I-95 and Open View Road. . St. Lucie County has adopted the Towns, Villages and Countryside ElementThe adoption of the TVC Element occurred after the adoption of the 2030 RLRTP. Because of this, there are some discrepancies between the roadway need assessments of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-37 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 two documents. The following table shows transportation capital improvements included in the Capital Improvements Element as part of remedial Comprehensive Plan amendments related to the TVC. North St. Lucie County Special Area Plan Long Term Transportation Capital Improvements Program Roadway FromToImprovement Koblegard Rd. County Line Taylor Dairy Rd. Construct 2-lane road King's Highway Indrio Rd. US-1 2 to 4 King's Highway Angle Rd. Indrio Rd. 2 to 4 I-95 North Flyover KoblegardNew "C" Rd. Construct 2-lane flyover New E-W Russo Road KoblegardSeminole Rd. Construct 2-lane road New E-W Sebastian Rd. Johnston Rd. Emerson Ave. Construct 2-lane road New E-W Tobias Rd. Johnston Rd. Seminole Rd. Construct 2-lane road Johnston Rd./ Immokolee Rd. County Line Kings Highway 2 to 4 New Russakis Rd. Indrio Rd. Johnston Rd. Construct 2-lane road New Seminole Rd. Indrio Rd. New Sebastian Construct 2-lane road SR 614 Indrio Rd. I-95 Citrus Highway Construct 4-lane road New Transit Line (Indrio Rd.) EmersonI-95 Extend TCC Bus Service 25th St. SW Johnston Rd. Kobelgard Ave. Construct 4-land road New E-W Road (Immokolee Rd.) Johnston Rd. Emerson Ave. Construct 2-lane road Emerson Ave. Indrio Rd. Angle Rd. Construct 2-lane road New E-W "A" Road KoblegardTaylor Dairy Rd. Construct 2-lane road New N-S "C" Road Indrio Rd. County Line Construct 2-lane road New N-S "C" Road Angle Rd. Indrio Construct 2-lane road New Citrus Highway Indrio Rd. County Line Construct 4-lane road New Citrus Highway Indrio Rd. Godwin Rd. Construct 4-lane road New E-W "E" Road New "C" Rd. Citrus Highway Construct 2-lane flyover New E-W "D" Road New "C" Rd. Citrus Highway Construct 2-lane flyover I-95 South Flyover KoblegardNew "C" Rd. Construct 2-lane flyover I-95 / Turnpike Interchange ImmokoleeFL Turnpike Construct interchange Cost Feasible Roadway Projects It is not reasonable to expect funding to be made available for all capacity deficits identified in the Roadway Needs Assessment. Therefore, certain projects have been identified as cost feasible and it is expected that funding will be made available for these projects by 2030. If additional funding beyond the cost feasible projects becomes available, then the funding may go to the remaining unfunded projects identified in the Roadways Needs Assessment. The cost feasible roadway improvements build upon those identified in the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan. Major capacity improvements are planned for the following corridors: US-1, Kings Highway, Angle Road, Jenkins Road, Midway Road, Walton Road, and Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Selvitz Road, Torino Parkway, Commerce Boulevard, and Gatling Boulevard Extensions. The cost feasible projects in St. Lucie County are provided in Table 2-11. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-38 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Future Level of Service Analysis The 2030 Future Level of Service Analysis is provided on Table 2-12. The 2030 AADT determined from the cost feasible roadway network was multiplied by the appropriate “K” and “D” factor to derive the peak hour, peak direction roadway volume and LOS. Table 2-10 Roadway Needs Assessment St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-39 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-40 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-41 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-11 2030 Cost Feasible Projects St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-42 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 2-12 Future 2030 Level of Service Analysis St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-43 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-44 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-45 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-46 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-47 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 44 11 23 5 (6) (6) (6) (6) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-48 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-49 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-50 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-51 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Towns, Villages and Countryside (TVC) Area Traffic Study St. Lucie County has adopted the Towns, Villages and Countryside Element as well as the development review requirements for the TVC area. The TVC area starts from east of the Turnpike to west of Kings Highway in the northern part of the county. A long term transportation analysis prepared in 2006 evaluated the roadway capacities and identified the required improvements to support the transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of proposed land uses. The traffic analysis showed that the roadways will be operating at an acceptable level of service with the land use changes and related roadway improvements in future conditions. The study used the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Model (TCRPM) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-52 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 which also accounted for internal capture. In the study, the future TCRPM travel demand model was revised and additional Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) socioeconomic data was included to reflect future 2030 and 2050 conditions. The following roadways within the TVC area were identified as deficient roadways in 2030 conditions without improvements: th CR 603/ Johnston Road from 25 Street to SR 614/ Indrio Road SR 713/ Kings Highway from US-1 to Angle Road SR 614/ Indrio Road from I-95 to CR 603/ Johnston Road Immokolee Road from CR 607/ Emerson Avenue to SR 713/ Kings Highway SR 608/ St. Lucie Boulevard from SR 713/ Kings Highway to CR 611 To address the deficiencies in the Year 2030, two new flyovers at I-95 north and south of Indrio Road were identified. Other roadway improvements identified for the 2050 conditions are listed below: New Connector Road from Emerson Road to I-95 New Connector Road from I-95 to Florida Turnpike New Interchange at I-95 and New Connector Road New Interchange at Florida Turnpike and New Connector Road The future travel demand model was run with the above proposed roadway improvements for future analysis in the study area and it was illustrated that all the deficient roadways will be operating within capacity. TRANSIT Recognizing that it may not be fiscally possible to construct all of the projects shown in the 2030 Transportation Plan, if the community is to maintain a reasonable degree of mobility for its residents, alternatives to the traditional road building approach must be considered. These alternatives include expanded intra-county transit services, expanded inter-county/regional transit services, the development of expanded non- motorized means of travel and a re-evaluation of the basic land use development patterns in the community. St. Lucie County and Martin County have recently worked together to complete a Regional Transit Development Plan for the Port St. Lucie Urbanized Area. The final plan was adopted in September 2009. The Regional Transit Development Plan evaluated the existing transit network and prepared future transit alternatives. Seven different scenarios were run for the existing route network. Scenario One: Grow the base existing system to 2019 with no service improvements. This scenario does not add any additional transit services to the public by 2019. However, annual passenger trips will increase by 48 percent over the 2009 ridership trips. Additionally, the overall efficiency would increase from 4 to 6 passengers per revenue hour. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-53 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Scenario Two: Bring all existing system routes to a frequency of one bus every 30 minutes. During the public involvement process, the community consistently desired less waiting times. The main disadvantage of this scenario is the cost of doubling the existing busses in circulation to reduce the frequency in half. Scenario Three: Add Saturday service to all base system routes. The Saturday service would operate from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with one hour frequencies for all bus routes. The cost of weekend service is considerably less than weekday improvements since there are only 52 Saturdays in a year. The increase in ridership for this scenario would be 21,900 annual passenger trips. Scenario Four: Add Saturday and Sunday service to all base system routes. This scenario is similar to Scenario Three with the addition of Sunday bus routes from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with one hour frequencies. The anticipated increase in ridership for Sundays is 12,300 annual passenger trips. Scenario Five: Increase the service hours for all base system routes from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The additional five hours of service resulted in the highest single ridership increase of the model runs. The cost of this improvement is comparable to the cost of adding the weekend service. Scenario Six: Bring all base system routes to a frequency of one bus every 30 minutes on weekdays and add Saturday and Sunday service with a frequency of one bus every 60 minutes. This scenario is a combination of Scenarios Two and Four and is the final model run for improvements to the existing system. The anticipated ridership increase from the model was 340,000 annual passenger trips. However, the frequency and weekend improvements do not yield greater results when combined together than each does separately. Scenario Seven: Future Route Network to Address Service Areas. A conceptual fixed route transit network was developed as part of the Transit Development Plan Update. The objectives for the conceptual fixed route transit network are listed below: Improve connectivity and customer travel choices by placing transit transfer centers throughout the Port St. Lucie Urbanized Area; Provide linkages between transit transfer centers with existing and new bus routes; Provide greater accessibility to fixed-route bus transit by saturating the service area and bringing a greater proportion of the population within ¼ mile of a bus St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-54 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 route; Focus the transit network on US-1 which has the greatest employment base for the urbanized area; Provide more connections between Martin and St. Lucie Counties; Provide greater inter-county connections with Indian River and Palm Beach Counties; and Employ transit mobility as a unifying factor for all residents of the Port St. Lucie Urbanized Area. A total of 16 new routes were developed for the conceptual transit network in St. Lucie and Martin County. However, several infrastructure improvements will be necessary to accommodate the new conceptual routes including the development of transit transfer centers. Transit Transfer Centers Seven transit transfer centers are proposed for the conceptual transit network and are summarized below: Fort Pierce Intermodal Center – The Fort Pierce Intermodal Center is planned for a parcel northwest of downtown Ft. Pierce. St. Lucie West – The St. Lucie West transit transfer station is proposed to provide regional connections to the western St. Lucie developments such as the Port St. Lucie Annex area and the Tradition DRI. Port St. Lucie Community Center – The Port St. Lucie Community Center is located at the corner of Airoso Boulevard and Port St. Lucie Boulevard within Port St. Lucie. Treasure Coast Mall – The Treasure Coast Mall is located on US-1 in Martin County just south of the St. Lucie County line. Stuart Depot Center – The Stuart Depot Center is located in southwest downtown Stuart. Southwest Transit Transfer Station – The Southwest Transit Transfer Station is also proposed to be a park and ride facility on Kanner Highway in Martin County between I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. Hobe Sound Transit Transfer Center – The Hobe Sound Transit Transfer Center is proposed to be located on US-1 and Bridge Road in Hobe Sound. The conceptual 16 new routes developed in the Regional Transit Development Plan will provide better connectivity between transit centers, focus the transit network on US-1, and be accessible to a larger percent of the population than the existing transit network. The Treasure Coast Mall will continue to be the anchor of the conceptual transit network with additional regional connectivity to the transit centers discussed above. The conceptual future transit map along with the high activity destinations and major employers map developed in the Regional Transit Development Plan is included in Figure 2-2. Park and Ride Each of the Transit Transfer Centers identified in the Regional Transit Development Plan can be potentially utilized as a park and ride location. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-55 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Figure 2-2 High Activity Destinations and Major Employers with Concept Transit Network Source: Regional Transit Development Plan, 2009 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-56 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Paratransit Alternatives In addition to the alternatives relating to the expansion of the fixed route services, the Regional Transit Development Plan identified two additional alternatives for the paratransit services. The two paratransit service alternatives are the “General Public Dial-A-Ride” and “Ride Request”. General Public Dial-A-Ride This alternative would devote all resources to providing door-to-door services to anyone who requests a ride. The advantage of this alternative is that it targets those individuals who want use the transit system. The main disadvantage to this alternative is that it is significantly more expensive than a fixed route cost per passenger trip. Additionally, since no trip request can be denied, the associated cost could be difficult to control as demand increases. Ride Request This alternative allows the public to request a ride to a local van stationed in a specific geographical zone. The customer can request a trip to a destination within the zone or a trip to a connecting point with a regional fixed route. The van operator can then negotiate a pick up and drop off time with the customer based on demand. The advantage of this alternative is that it can extend transit services into areas where there is not a fixed bus route and it can bring in more customers to the regional transit network. The disadvantage of this alternative is that similarly to the “General Public Dial- A-Ride” alternative, this service can be expensive. Ten-Year Improvement Plan The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) now requires that all Transit Development Plans incorporate a program of improvements over a ten year period. The ten year plan requires an annual update of what has and has not been accomplished and allows agencies to make modification of the plan based on the changes to the local conditions of the community. The Regional Transit Development Plan has outlined the following policies and priorities for the Years 2010-2014: Continue to pursue regional transit organization opportunities to further unify regional mobility. Pursue the single identity of transit in the region including integrated transit name, logo, and color scheme; integration of information materials to include all regional transit services, integrated website for regional transit, integrated bus stops and single toll free number for all regional fixed route and paratransit services. Continue to develop the infrastructure needed to accommodate future network growth. Since the Fort Pierce Intermodal Center, the Stuart Depot, and the Southwest Transit Transfer Centers are all currently vacant parcels of land, and Island Crossing Shopping Center is privately owned property, continue to pursue funding, design and construction of these facilities in order to provide passengers with safe, comfortable and state of the art transfer facilities. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-57 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Focus service improvements on the existing system, with span of service improvements on weekdays as the highest priority, implementation of Saturday and Sunday a medium priority, and frequency improvements a low priority. Consider new routes as existing funding sources allow, such as the routes that have been designed in Martin County for the South Stuart Shuttle, Jensen Beach, and Hobe Sound using Job Access/ Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom funds from FTA. Not all of them can be immediately funded within the current available funding. For Years 2015 – 2019: Begin implementing future transit network routes that show the most promise for generating ridership and promoting regional mobility. Maintain strategic initiatives for improvements not made in the ten year program of improvements even beyond the future transit network. Additionally, the Regional Transit Development Plan outlined non-service related initiates over the next ten years: Pursue the development of an action plan to guide the development of coordinated transit services in the region. Establish one system identity for public transportation services in the region. Increase local support for fixed route transit services. Develop a Marketing and Communication Plan. Increase coordinated public outreach efforts to existing and potential transit users. Develop a Bus Stop Infrastructure Plan. Develop and Implement transit transfer centers. Conduct a fare policy and transfer analysis of inter- and intra-county services in the region. Continue the vehicle replacement program and purchase new expansion vehicles. Develop a performance monitoring program to track the performance of individual routes. Continue involvement and cooperation in the transportation planning process. Support local jurisdictions in adopting transit supportive comprehensive plan amendments. Maximize use of the fixed route bus system. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-58 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 2.1: Provide safe and efficient integrated multi-modal transportation system which addresses the future needs of St. Lucie County for movement of people and goods, and which considers social, economic, energy and environmental effects including greenhouse gas emissions of the transportation system. Objective 2.1.1: The St. Lucie County transportation system shall be reviewed in coordination with any requested changes to the Future Land Use Element or other related components of this plan. A report on the impacts to the system brought about by any proposed land use changes shall be prepared and presented to the Board of County Commissioners as part of the review of that Land Use change. Policy 2.1.1.1 - In coordination with the St. Lucie MPOTPO, conduct a regular review of accident data and identify above average accident locations. Prepare an annual report on high accident locations including proposed corrective measures and costs. This report will be shared with the St. Lucie County Community Traffic Safety Team, or other appropriate County board or authority, to identify potential funding sources and make changes or improvements to high accident locations. Policy 2.1.1.2 - In coordination with the St. Lucie MPO TPOdevelop an biannual report, on the level of service provided on the St. Lucie County roadway system and identify improvement needs and costs to meet the adopted providethe levels of service listed in Policy 2.1.2.8. Improvement needs will be determined based on and consistent with the 1997 2008MPO TPOCongestion Management System (as may be amended and incorporated herein by reference) study methodology. This report shall be made available during the summer of each bi- annual reporting period. Policy 2.1.1.3 - In coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation and the St. Lucie Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (TMPO), annually review the transportation network and define any areas that may warrant LOS standards lower than the adopted level of service standardsthose listed in Policy 2.1.2.8, consistent with the provisions of Rule 9J5-0055, Florida Administrative Code, as may be amended. Policy 2.1.1.4 - In coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation and the St. Lucie Metropolitan TransportationPlanning Organization (TMPO), provide comments and recommendations to the Department of Transportation in the development of the FDOT Annual Work Program. This coordination should be done in the summer of each calendar year in expectation of the presentation of the next years tentative work program by the Department of Transportation in November/December of that year. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-59 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 2.1.1.5 - Facilities currently operating at conditions below those the adopted level of service standardslisted in Policy 2.1.2.8 shall be maintained at least at their current LOS through development order conditions for roadway improvements within the radius of influence of a proposed development. The radius of influence for a given development shall be further defined in the County's Land Development Code Regulationstraffic monitoring provisions. Policy 2.1.1.6 - Utilize the County's closed loop signal coordinated system to maintain the signal control for all roads for which St. Lucie County has operational, maintenance and jurisdictional responsibility. Policy 2.1.1.7 - The County recognizes that the Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), areis a statewide transportation networks that provides for high-speed and high-volume traffic movements for interstate and regional commerce and other long distance trips. The system is intended to accommodate High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOVs), express bus transit and, in some corridors, passenger rail service, and as such should not be relied upon as a local circulator for trips of local origin or destination. Policy 2.1.1.8 - As recognized in Policy 2.1.1.6, tThe Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), shall not be relied upon as a local circulator for trips of local origin or destination within the urban service area of the county. Accordingly, the 203025 Transportation Plan, as contained in this Transportation Element, shall include the identification and development of alternative arterials/collectors within the urban service area of the Ð±´·½§îòïòïòç County to redirect local traffic from having to use the Florida Intrastate Highway ©¿³±ª»¼¬± System (FIHS) and Strategic Intermodal System (SIS). ²»© Ñ¾¶»½¬·ª»Policy 2.1.1.9 –The County shall continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughpromoting increased transit usage, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and îòïòîÞò more efficient roadways. Objective 2.1.2A - Existing and future roadway deficiencies, based on standards established in this plan shall, be mitigated through a continuous roadway improvement program when feasible. The County shall support infill development and consider reducing acceptablelevel of service standards on constrained roadways. Policy 2.1.2A.1 - Develop and implement a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that is consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of this plan. Update this plan annually in conjunction with review of the capital improvement budget. Policy 2.1.2A.2 - Review all proposed developments for consistency with the goals, objectives, and policies of this plan and require coordination of traffic circulation plans and improvements with land use, right-of-way and infrastructure plans before development approval. Traffic circulation plans shall include the mitigation of all potential project impacts on the roadway system. Policy 2.1.2A.3 - Review access driveways and new roadway connections associated with development to assure safety and compatibility with the existing and future roadway network. Impose requirements for conformity, as condition of development approval. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-60 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 2.1.2A.4 - Except as defined in Policies 2.1.2.6 through 2.1.2.13, maintain the operation of the roadway network for which St. Lucie [County] has operational, maintenance or jurisdictional responsibility at or above the adopted LOS standards as listed in Policy 2.1.2.7. Policy 2.1.2A.5 - Coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and the Florida Department of Transportation to meet future corridor capacity needs for U.S. 1. Explore the cost and feasibility of alternative traffic corridors/options through the downtown area of Fort Pierce. Policy 2.1.2.6 -Coordinate with the City of Port St. Lucie and the Florida Department of Transportation to meet future corridor capacity needs for U.S. 1. Explore the cost and feasibility of alternative traffic corridors/options through the U.S. 1 corridor in Port St. Lucie. Policy 2.1.2A.76 - St. Lucie County adopts the following roadway level of service standards for application within the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County, as set forth in Table 2-4follows: TABLE 2-4 MINIMUM LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS FOR URBAN AND NON-URBAN ROADWAYS IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY Non-SIS Facilities Facility Type Peak Hour/Peak Inside a Constrained Direction Transportation /Backlogged Concurrency Facility 1 Management Area 23 Non-State Roadway (Local) D D Maintain 3 Non-State Roadway (Major D E Maintain City/County Road) 33 Non-State Roadway E E Maintain (Arterial) Intrastate/FIHS (Rural) 23 Limited Access/ Freeway B N/A Maintain 23 Controlled Access B N/A Maintain Intrastate/FIHS (Urban) 323 Limited C (D) D (E) Maintain Access/Freeway 23 Controlled Access C E Maintain Other State Roads Multi-Lane (Rural/Urban) 2 Rural B N/A N/A 23 Urban D Maintain Two-Lane (Rural/Urban) 2 Rural C N/A N/A 23 Urban D 0 N/A Maintain (Notes) Level of Service Standards inside of parentheses apply to general use lanes only when exclusive through lanes exist. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-61 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Facility Type Peak Hour/Peak Inside a Constrained Direction Transportation /Backlogged Concurrency Facility 1 Management Area 1. Transportation Concurrency Management Areas are geographically compact areas designated in local government comprehensive plans where intensive development exists or is planned in a manner that will ensure an adequate level of mobility and further the achievement of identified important state planning goals and policies, including discouraging the proliferation of urban sprawl, encouraging the revitalization of existing downtowns and designated redevelopment areas protecting natural resources, protecting historic resources, maximizing the efficient use of existing public facilities, and promoting public transit, bicycling, walking and other alternatives to the single occupant automobile. Transportation concurrency management areas may be established in a comprehensive plan in accordance with Rule 9J-5, Florida Administrative Code. 2. * means the level of service standard will be set in a transportation mobility element that meets the requirements of Rule 9J-5.0057. 2. Maintain means continuing operating conditions at a level such that significant degradation does not occur based on conditions existing at the time of local government comprehensive plan adoption. For roadways in rural areas, transitioning urbanized areas, urban areas or communities, significant degradation means (1) an increase in average annual daily traffic volume of 5 percent below the speed, of the adopted LOS standard. For roadways in urbanized areas, for 100th highest hour of 5 percent below the speed, of the adopted LOS standard. For roadways in urbanized areas, for roadways parallel to exclusive transit facilities, or for intrastate roadways in transportation concurrency management areas, significant degradation means (1) an increase in average annual daily traffic volume of 10 percent above the maximum service volume, or (2) a reduction in operating speed for the peak directions in the 100th highest hour of 10 percent below the speed, of the adopted LOS standard. For other state roads in transportation concurrency management areas, significant degradation means that amount defined in the transportation mobility element. For constrained roadways meeting or exceeding the level of service standards, (maintain) does not apply until the roadway is operating below the applicable minimum level of service standard. N/A Information not available. 3. The County wishes to maintain a LOS D or better for all roadways but recognizes that allowing a LOS E allows development to proceed while a minimum of LOS D might cause severe constraints on private development. However, a LOS D will be utilized for these roadways when establishing transportation impact fees. SIS Facilities SIS Roadway CorridorsRoadway SegmentLOS Standard C I-95Martin County Line to Gatlin Boulevard I-95Gatlin Boulevard to St. Lucie BoulevardC I-95St. Lucie Boulevard to Midway RoadC I-95Midway Road to SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadC I-95SR 70/ Okeechobee Road to SR 68/ Orange AvenueD D I-95SR 68/ Orange Avenue to SR 614/ Indrio Road I-95SR 614/ Indrio Road to Indian River County LineC Florida’s TurnpikeMartin County Line to Becker RoadC Florida’s TurnpikeBecker Road to Port St. Lucie BoulevardC Florida’s Turnpike Port St. Lucie Boulevard to SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadC St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-62 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 SIS Roadway CorridorsRoadway SegmentLOS Standard Florida’s TurnpikeSR 70/ Okeechobee Road to Indian River CountyB SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadB Okeechobee County Line to Carlton Road B SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadCarlton Rod to McCarthy Road B SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadMcCarthy Road to Florida’s Turnpike C SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadFlorida’s Turnpike to I-95 Policy 2.1.2.8 -In coordination with the Capital Improvements Element (Policy 11.1.1.17) and the FDOT, the Category "C" public facilities as listed in Table 2-5 shall be classified as backlogged facilities. These roadways or roadway segments will be allowed to increase up to 10% in peak hour, peak direction traffic volume at the adopted level of service of the affected transportation facility. TABLE 2-5 STATE BACKLOGGED FACILITIES ROADWAY SEGMENT F/Y IMPROVEMENT PLANNED So. U.S. #1 Edwards Rd.--Midway Rd. None So. U.S. #1 Midway Rd.--Prima Vista Blvd. 05/06 Kings Hwy. Okeechobee Rd.--No. US #1 None Policy 2.1.2A.79 - In coordination with FDOT, designate as constrained facilities those roadways in St. Lucie County which operate below acceptable levels of service and where capacity improvements are not feasible due to physical or policy barriers. Policy 2.1.2A.810 - Allow no roadway link which is not subject to inclusion in or listed in Table 2-10to operate at more than ten percent above the adopted levels of service standardsidentified in Policy 2.1.2.7. When any County arterial or collector road or segment of such a road is determined to be operating one level of service below its adopted standard, the County shall exercise one of the following options: a. Enter into a contract that will result in the addition of capacity to the facility within six months of the determination that the facility is operating below its level of service standard, and delay issuance of development orders until the contract has been executed; b. Enter into an enforceable development agreement that specifies that new development will provide for the upgraded facility; or c. Amend the plan to lower the level of service at the next opportunity; d. Not issue any development permits in the impacted area. The purpose of providing for the temporary operation below the adopted level of service is to provide a reasonable period of time to restore the level of service through appropriate improvements to roads that are forecast to operate at the adopted Level of Service, but which may unexpectedly operate at a lower Level of Service. All development orders issued pursuant to this St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-63 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 policy shall be conditioned on the attainment of the adopted Level of Service. However, this policy shall not impair the county's right to refuse to issue a development order pursuant to this policy if the Board of County Commissioners determines that the resultant lower level of service caused by the proposed development order would constitute a threat to public health or safety; or. e. Upon adoption of the mobility fee, the County may consider the elimination or re-evaluation of the Level of Service standards. Policy 2.1.2A.911 - In coordination with FDOT, designate roadways or roadways segments as backlogged or constrained facilities which operate at adopted levels of service standards as established in policy 2.1.2.7. If so designated by the County and the FDOT, the County and the FDOT shall develop a program that addresses how to eliminate the backlog or constraining circumstances associated with the particular roadway or roadway segment by December 2012. Policy 2.1.2A.10 – Continue utilizing tools such as Proportionate Fair Share and impact fees as further implemented in the Land Development Code until new tools such as a mobility fee are available to help shift the burden for funding and constructing roadway capacity improvements away from the taxpayers towards new development. Objective 2.1.2B- The County shall continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Ñ¾¶»½¬·ª» through promoting increased transit usage, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and more efficient roadways. îòïòîÞ©¿ °®»ª·±«´§ Policy 2.1.2B.11 – In coordination with the St. Lucie TPO and other relevant Ð±´·½§îòïòïòçò agencies, consider modification of the County’s transportation concurrency system, impact fee, structure LOS standards, Proportionate Fair Share, and Ð±´·½·» adequate public facilities in the Land Development Code for the ability to implement a mobility fee structure that develops the County mobility plan, îòïòîòïï encourages multi-modal planning, promotes infill development, discourages îòïîòïì©»®» sprawl, reduces the complexity of the current system, and strengthens the ®»²«³¾»®»¼ò interlocal coordination of inter-jurisdictional impacts by December 2011. Policy 2.1.2B.12 – The County shall consider implementing a mobility fee that charges all new developments with costs varying on location and vehicles miles traveled (VMT) by December 2011. Policy 2.1.2B.13 – The County shall seek to utilize TRIP funds when made available to finance projects with regional impacts when developing the County’s budget. Policy 2.1.2B.14 – The County should will consider inclusion in the County’s budget funding for planningadoptTraffic Demand Management (TDM) measures and explore related land use alternatives to reduce traffic congestion, improve levels of service, reduce single occupant automobile trips, reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions, and reduce the need to fund, construct and Ð±´·½§ maintain additional lane miles of roadway capacity within the County by îòïòîÞòë©¿ December 2012. °®»ª·±«´§ Policy 2.1.2B.5-The County shall consider working with the FDOT to develop Ð±´·½§îòïòîòì St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-64 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 guidelines for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) by December 2012. Objective 2.1.3: St. Lucie County shall maintain a thoroughfare right-of-way protection plan for the major roadway network based upon the Transportation Element and the Future Land Use Element of this plan. Policy 2.1.3.1 - Prohibit encroachment of development and required setbacks into established present and future rights-of-way and, within the law, require dedication of right-of-way through development orders issued by the County. Policy 2.1.3.2 - Review all proposed development plans for impact on the future land use plan and assess the capacity needs of each project as it relates to the thoroughfare right-of-way protection plan by requiring a traffic impact analysis, as further described in the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code, with proposed development applications. Policy 2.1.3.3 - The followingminimumMinimum right-of-way standards as described in the Land Development Code shall be used by the County to in implementing the thoroughfare right-of-way protection plan..described in Objective 2.1.3, and as generally depicted on Figure 2-8: TABLE 2-11 MINIMUM RIGHT-OF-WAY STANDARDS * Facility TypeW/swale DrainageClosed Drainage Systems ** 2 lane local6050 2 lane arterial10080 4 lane arterial160130 6 lane arterial200200 8 lane arterial300250 Interstate/FIHS (urban/rural) Limited Access/Freeway400400 Controlled Access300300 Notes: * All distances expressed in feet. Actual dimension to be determined based on specific roadway design and conditions. ** Closed drainage designs will require additional property to be acquired for stormwater management purposes. Locations of stormwater facilities to be determined based on specific roadway designand conditions. Policy 2.1.3.4 - Roadways and roadway corridors shown on the thoroughfare right-of-way protection plan, excluding those that are part of the Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS), that are outside of the urban service area of the County shall not be widened or constructed until it is demonstrated to the County that the roadway construction is required to meet the development impacts of the area. Nothing in this Policy shall be construed or otherwise interpreted as to restrict or limit the ability of the County, the State or other lawful entity, to perform routine St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-65 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 maintenance, rehabilitation or safety improvements to any roadways or roadway corridor located outside of the urban service area. Policy 2.1.3.5 - Review bi-annually the status of the thoroughfare right-of-way protection plan and submit any changes to that plan as necessary to address the mobility needs of the community. Goal 2.2: Establish an integrated transportation system consistent with future development of the county. Objective 2.2.1: Coordinate the transportation system with the future land use map or map series and ensure that existing and proposed population densities, housing and employment patterns, and land uses are consistent with the transportation modes and services proposed to serve these areas. Policy 2.2.1.1 - Include, within the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code, provisions for requiring an adequate number of motorized and bicycle on-site parking spaces for each new site development and provide for safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians within the site in conjunction with plan review and permitting. Policy 2.2.1.2 - Review on-site traffic flow to assure adequate circulation for motorized and non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians is provided. Require signage and roadway specifications that conform to the County's adopted standards. Policy 2.2.1.3 - The County shall, by January 2002, continue to review its off- street parking standards to determine what modifications, if any, may be made to those standards that would effectively encourage the use of alternative transportation modes. Í¬®«½µ°±´·½§ Policy 2.2.1.4 - The County shall, within its Land Development RegulationsLand ´¿²¹«¿¹»©¿ Development Code, include incentives to encourage the use of reduced parking ³±ª»¼¬± standards in areas of the County designated for Mixed and Planned Unit ²»©Ð±´·½§ developments. The County shall consider working with the FDOT to develop guidelines for Transit Oriented Development (TOD). îòïòîÞòë Policy 2.2.1.5 - The County shall by December 2012 , by July 2002, consider the adoption ofadopt specific transportation demand management programs to modify peak hour travel demand, reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled per capita within the community and region and improve overall system efficiency and enhance safety. These programs and strategies shall be developed In coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation and the St. Lucie MetropolitanTransportation Planning Organization (MTPO). Policy 2.2.1.6 - The County shall, by December 2013July 2002, consider the adoption of specific numerical indicators against which the achievement of the mobility goals of the community can be measured, such as modal split, annual transit trips per capita, automobile occupancy rates. These numerical indicators shall be used in prioritizing the annual MTPO project priority rankings. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-66 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 2.2.1.7 – To improve accessibility for all modes of transportation and reduce environmental impacts, encourage all adjacent developments to share common driveways and provide pedestrian interconnections whenever feasible, to reduce the number of driveways on major thoroughfares and potentially reduce environmental impacts on Hutchinson Island and other environmentally sensitive areas of St. Lucie County. Objective 2.2.2: The long-range transportation needs plan shall be updated on a regular basis. Policy 2.2.2.1: Revise the transportation element as appropriate upon the completion of the futurecurrent St. Lucie Urban Area 203525 transportation studyRegional Long Range Transportation Plan (RLRTP), and any subsequent updates to that plan. Goal 2.3: To develop a safe bicycle and pedestrian transportation system accessible to all major public and private facilities. Objective 2.3.1: The bicycle and pedestrian transportation system needs for St. Lucie County shall be identified through the development of a long-range master plan that shall be updated on a regular basis. Policy 2.3.1.1 - The County shall coordinate with the FDOT, the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the City of Fort Pierce, and the City of Port St. Lucie and implement the recommendations of the 2008 SLC Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Study as it may be updated, when funding is available, or as provided in the Land Development Code., by December 2004, have approved a bicycle and pedestrian transportation plan for all of St. Lucie County. Policy 2.3.1.2 - The bicycle and pedestrian transportation plan for St. Lucie County shall continue to include, and address the need for, the integration of both countywide and regional/statewide greenway and trail networks into the overall bicycle and pedestrian plan. Objective 2.3.2: The transportation system shall be improved to appropriately accommodate bicycle and pedestrian roadway design and facility requirements. Policy 2.3.2.1 - Include within the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code design criteria and standards to be used in addressing the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. Policy 2.3.2.2 - In coordination with the St. Lucie MPOTPO, the City of Fort Pierce and the City of Port St. Lucie, establishshall participate in anastanding advisory committee by December 2012,that provides input and recommendations on the implementation and updates of a coordinated developmentof a coordinated bicycle and pedestrian transportation plan. The plan should provide access to major public and private facilities including parks, schools, beach accesses and major shopping facilities. Policy 2.3.2.3 - The County shall maintain an inventory all significant streets within the TMPO area, with particular attention given to hazards, bottlenecks, and barriers to bicyclists. The County should implement the recommendations St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-67 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 presented in the Bicycle and Pedestrian System Analysis Study when funding is made available. Policy 2.3.2.4 - The County shall continue to utilize , by July 2002, develop athe bicycle and pedestrian accident recording program to identify road segments and intersections having frequent bicycle and pedestrian-related accidents. Policy 2.3.2.5 - Include within the Land Development regulationsLand Development Code by December 2011 a requirement that all new development provide bicycle facilities and/or sidewalks along all major collector and arterial roadways within and adjacent to the proposed development project. Pedestrian facilities shall be required along all local streets as necessary to support the intensity and density of development. Policy 2.3.2.6 - Coordinate bicycle planning activities with other agencies associated with bicycle planning activities in Okeechobee, Martin and Indian River Counties including FDOT. Policy 2.3.1.7 - Motorized and non-motorized transportation needs shall be identified and addressed and met for each new development approval. Policy 2.3.1.8 - By January 1, 2002, tThe County shall consider andcontinue to implement the necessary Land Development Code amendments to require that all new land development activities include dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities on internal arterial and collector roadways. Pedestrian facilities shall be required along all local streets as necessary to support the intensity and density of development. Objective 2.3.3: A bicycle transportation system shall be developed into a network connecting all major travel destinations to population concentrations. Policy 2.3.23.91 - Establish bicycle and pedestrian facilities in accordance with AASHTO guidelines around schools, with emphasis placed upon the area encompassing schools that are not serviced by the school bus system. Prioritization for the development of these facilities will be determined by the Board of County Commissioners and shall be based on the St. Lucie MTPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. A schedule to complete the missing sidewalks shall be established by December 2013. Objective 2.3.4: A usable pedestrian circulation system shall be developed. Policy 2.3.24.10 -– Continue to Pprovide, in association with all new road construction in the urban area, sidewalks along all arterials and collectors identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Pedestrian facilities shall be required along all local streets as necessary to support the intensity and density of development. Policy 2.3.14.112 -– Continue to Pprovide additional sidewalks, where necessary, to connect or complete either existing or proposed sidewalks in a manner that provides a complete pedestrian circulation system. Goal 2.4: Coordinate transportation-related issues with the plans and programs of the Florida Department of Transportation, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization, Florida Department of Community Affairs, the Hutchinson Island Resource Management Plan, the City of Port St. Lucie, the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-68 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 City of Fort Pierce, adjacent municipalities, adjacent counties, and other private transportation-related agencies. Objective 2.4.1: Common transportation goals, objectives, and policies shall be shared on an ongoing basis with the transportation-related agencies listed in Goal 2.4, where common interests are involved. Objective 2.4.21: The County shall coordinate and communicate with the agencies listed in Goal 2.4 regarding transportation activities and planned improvements which may have impacts within their respective jurisdiction and request comments as applicable. Policy 2.4.21.1 - The County shall maintain a mailing list to ensure that all interested agencies listed above are informed of transportation related activities and improvements via copies of correspondence. Policy 2.4.21.2 - As a part of the Capital Improvements Element update process, annually review transportation improvements planned for St. Lucie County indicating the agency responsible for the improvement and the estimated date of completion. Policy 2.4.1.1 3- Review the existing Transportation Goals, Objectives, and Policies of other agencies when revising or altering Goals, Objectives, and Policies for St. Lucie County. Policy 2.4.1.4 – The County shall coordinate and work closely with the City of Port St. Lucie and the City of Fort Pierce to achieve coordinated multimodal planning to address extra-jurisdictional transportation system impacts. Objective 2.4.3: St. Lucie County shall take actions necessary to preserve, maintain and enhance social, environmental and historic resources along the scenic corridor while minimizing any potential negative impacts on adjacent properties. The following roadways are designated scenic by the Florida Department of Transportation and so recognized by St. Lucie County for preservation of their intrinsic (historical, archeological, cultural, recreational, scenic and natural) resources: 1. Atlantic Beach Boulevard / SR A1A from Indian River County south to US Highway 1. 2. US Highway 1 from North Beach Causeway to Seaway Drive 3. Seaway Drive / SR A1A south to Martin County 4. Indian River Drive from Seaway Drive south to Martin County Policy 2.4.3.1:St. Lucie County shall encourage the protection and preservation of scenic features, natural resources, and historic sites along the County’s scenic roadways through implementation of Chapter 4 and Chapter 6 of the Land Development Code: the following: Property owners along designated roadways shall be encouraged to preserve trees and vegetation during development of these properties in accordance with the St. Lucie County Land Development Code. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-69 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Vegetation and trees growing adjacent to scenic roadways within the rights-of-way for those roads shall be protected by the St. Lucie County Land Development Code. The following policies of St. Lucie County’s Comprehensive Plan are supportive of the scenic corridor and are hereby incorporated in this goal by reference. Goal 2.5: Provide public transportation for the transportation disadvantaged population of St. Lucie County in a safe and convenient manner. Objective 2.5.1: Address the provision of efficient public transit services based upon existing and proposed major trip generators and attractors, safe and convenient public transit terminals, land uses and accommodation of the special needs of the transportation disadvantaged in St. Lucie County. Policy 2.5.1.2 - St. Lucie County shall, by July 2002, in cooperation with the St. Lucie MTPO and other appropriate agencies, continue to analyze the recommendations of the St. Lucie MTPO's Transit Development Plan (TDP), to determine the future system needs, transit right-of-way needs, Level of Service standards and the capital expenses necessary for the implementation of a fixed route transit system for the area based on the community's future land use designations and projected population characteristics. Policy 2.5.1.3 - Continue to Aassist the local coordinated community provider in seeking additional state and federal assistance funds in order to provide additional services. Policy 2.5.1.4 - Continue to Aassist the Community Transportation Coordinator in seeking additional state and federal assistance funds in order to add vans or other vehicles to handle work trips for the transportation disadvantaged as demand increases. Policy 2.5.1.5 - Promote the availability of transportation to all transportation disadvantaged throughout St. Lucie County through sound marketing and public information efforts. Objective 2.5.2: Maintain coordination and communication among agencies involved in providing transportation to the transportation disadvantaged including Florida Department of Transportation, St. Lucie Metropolitan TransportationPlanning Organization, St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village and Port St. Lucie. Policy 2.5.2.1: Maintain a mailing list of the agencies enumerated in Goal [Objective]2.5.2 to convey information on existing affairs and plans for future activities. Goal 2.6: Incorporate the potential for mass transit into long range transportation needs. Objective 2.6.1: Monitor and evaluate the demand for a community-wide mass transit system through the implementation of the Regional Transit Development Plan completion of a Transit Feasibility/Development Study by August 2001 and update this study as required. Policy 2.6.1.1 -Support the results of the monitoring and evaluation of transit St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-70 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 demand through transit-incentive policy. Policy 2.6.1.2 1- Continue Ccoordinatione with Martin and Indian River Counties to develop a regional transit network. any transit needs evaluation to determine if a regional transit network would be more cost effective and service the overall communitymore efficiently than separate transit systems within each local jurisdiction. Policy 2.6.1.3 2- Encourage the local Community Transportation Coordinator to expand paratransit services to meet the service needs of the transportation disadvantaged residents of St. Lucie County. Policy 2.6.1.4 3-By December 2002, iIn coordination with Community Transit or its successor agency, continue to identify and develop opportunities for private sector participation in funding both the coordinated transportation system and public transportation services. Policy 2.6.1.5 -By December 2002, in coordination with Community Transit or its successor agency, identify ways in which to stimulate the use of private funds and services in meeting the need for transportation disadvantaged and public transportation services. Policy 2.6.1.6 -By December 2002, in coordination with Community Transit or its successor agency, identify and develop opportunities for establishment or coordination of privately sponsoredtransportation services in meeting transportation disadvantaged and public transportation needs. Policy 2.6.1.47 - By December 2002, iIn coordination with Community Transit or its successor agency, continue to search for and identify any realistic public/private partnerships in the provision of transportation disadvantaged services and public transportation services. Policy 2.6.1.58 -– Consider the feasibility of implementing the fixed bus route recommendations in the Regional Transit Development Plan by January 2013.By December 2002, in coordination with Community Transit or its successor agency, search for and identify any realistic opportunities for the establishment of public transportation services to serve participants in the State of Florida's Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency (WAGES) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Welfare-to-Work (WtW) or successor welfare reform efforts. Policy 2.6.1.6 – The County shall pursue transit funding sources through the South Florida Commuter Service, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Federal Transit Administration, and any additional sources outlined in the Regional Transit Development Plan by December 2013. Policy 2.6.1.7 - The County shall actively pursue federal funding and grants for transportation, transit, transportation demand management, transit oriented design, and other innovative strategies to reduce the need to fund, construct and maintain additional lane-miles of roadway capacity by December 2013. Policy 2.6.1.8 – The County shall consider improving amenities at bus stops when funding is made available to promote increase transit ridership. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-71 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 2.6.2: Provide, for the protection of future mass transit, rights-of-way and exclusive mass transit corridors. Policy 2.6.2.1 - As part of the Development Review process, review all future development plans for compatibility with transit plans in the Regional Transit Development Plan and identify those areas which have a high probability for being served by transit. Policy 2.6.2.2 - In coordination with the MTPO explore in which cases and what types of incentives could be provided to encourage the use of high occupancy vehicles and alternative modes of transportation during the planning of transportation system improvements. Policy 2.6.2.3 - When funding is made available, implement the recommendations developed in the St. Lucie park and ride study that Aanalyzed the need and locations for HOV lanes and park-and-ride lots, including right-of- way considerations for all new major arterials and limited-access roads to be constructed based on future land uses, projected population distribution and the potential impact of such facilities on the transportation network. Policy 2.6.2.4 - By January 1, 2003, tThe County will continue to designate and provide protection for future public transportation corridors. These public transportation corridors shall be based upon the most recent Transit Development Plan (TDP) as approved by the St. Lucie Transportation Planning MetropolitanOrganization. Policy 2.6.2.5 - By January 1, 2003, St. Lucie County will continue to consider a coordinated and consistent policy with the Future Land Use Element to encourage the concentration of land uses, including major generators and attractors such as shopping malls, in order to promote the use of public transportation along designated future public transportation corridors. Policy 2.6.2.6 - By January 1, 2003, St. Lucie County will establish Continue to enforceland use, site and building design guidelines for development in future public transportation corridors to assure the accessibility of that new development to public transportation including. Tthe safe and convenient location of future public transportation terminals, such as bus stops, with appropriate bicycle/pedestrian connections., will be incorporated into these guidelines. Objective 2.6.3: St. Lucie County shall support efforts to extend passenger rail service to St. Lucie County. Policy 2.6.3.1 - St. Lucie County shall continue to support the reestablishment of regularly scheduled passenger rail service along the east coast of Florida. Policy 2.6.3.2 - St. Lucie County shall support the establishment of rail stations in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and/or within the County's Urban Service Area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-72 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Goal 2.7: It is the goal of St. Lucie County to provide airport facilities that are adequate to meet present and future demands to operate general aviation facilities in a safe and efficient manner which will maximize ease of movement of people and goods, and to minimize conflicts with adjacent land uses and adverse environmental impacts. Objective 2.7.1: Provide for a periodically updated Airport Master Plan that directs airport growth consistent with this Comprehensive Plan, County Policy, and adjacent land uses. Updates of the Airport Master Plan are to be accomplished by amendment to the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Policy 2.7.1.1 - Continue implementation of Tthe Airport Master Plan adopted December 1993 and last to be revised August 2002in 2011, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby incorporated into the Transportation Element of the adopted St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan as a Transportation Sub-element. Policy 2.7.1.2 - All aviation master plans and related development activities shall be consistent with the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan and applicable regional, state and federal plans.Promote the expansion of the airport as outlined in the latest Airport Master Plan. Policy 2.7.1.3 - The St. Lucie County International Airport shall be developed and operated in conformance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Policy 2.7.1.4 - St. Lucie County shall work to assure that the surface transportation needs of the St. Lucie County International Airport are considered in and are consistent with the goals, objectives and policies in the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Policy 2.7.1.5 - The Master Plan for the St. Lucie County International Airport shall be updated every five to ten years when changes have occurred such as an increase in operations, land use changes, or change in type of operations or demand. The purpose of the Master Plan is to evaluate concurrency of actual airport development with the Master Plan and to determine future development concurrent with plans of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Florida Aviation System and any other plans prepared pursuant to Chapter 380, F.S. (Ord. No. 07-007, § A., 3-27-07) Objective 2.7.2: All aviation facilities and related airport activity shall be located in areas that will not impede the safe and efficient operation of aviation services and service facilities. Policy 2.7.2.1: The St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Element, shall delineate all existing airport locations and ensure that all adjacent areas are restricted to airport compatible land uses. The type and intensity of the adjacent land uses shall be determined based on the classification of the airport. Airport compatible land uses are those uses which, based on the size and use of the particular airport, can coexist without major negative impacts to either the particular land use or the airport itself. In the case of "fly in" type residential subdivisions, these uses would include residential homes which under this section, would only apply to private residential airparks since there is no federal obligation for reasonable access. In the case of larger, more developed airports, St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-73 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 these uses should be non-residential and be of a type and nature that should rely on a location adjacent to the airport for a portion of their business or be of a type and nature that would not be negatively affected by the airport operations. In no case should uses which violate federal grant assurances or any or any portion of Section 4.00.00 of the St. Lucie County Land Development Code be considered airport compatible. Policy 2.7.2.2 - St. Lucie County shall make every effort to purchase aviation easements, acquire land and residences and require compatible land uses in areas consistent with the high-noise areas as delineated in the FAR Part 150 Study for St. Lucie County International Airport. Policy 2.7.2.3 - St. Lucie County shall follow existing and projected noise levels as delineated in the FAR Part 150 Study completed for the St. Lucie County International Airport when considering requests for zoning changes and building permits for new construction or major reconstruction and prohibit construction of noise sensitive structures within the 65 Ldn dnlcontour of the airport. Policy 2.7.2.4 - St. Lucie County shall continue to maintain and enforce the adopted height restriction ordinance consistent with height restrictions as outlined the FAR Part 77 Study for applicable areas adjacent to the St. Lucie County International Airport. St. Lucie County shall follow this ordinance when considering requests for building permits for new construction or major reconstruction and prohibit construction of structures in violation of the height restrictions. Policy 2.7.2.5 - St. Lucie County shall review proposed development within and surrounding the airport for compliance with the St. Lucie County International Airport Master Plan and the County's Comprehensive Plan. Policy 2.7.2.6 - St. Lucie County shall continue to maintain and enforce, as part of its Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code, an airport overlay zoning district which will more clearly delineate restricted land uses within the airport approach paths. Objective 2.7.3: The County shall strive to generate full use of all County-owned airport property for commercial and/or industrial use except on environmentally sensitive or "buffer" lands. Policy 2.7.3.1 - Improve and maintain the airport's image with the establishment of an ongoing improvement program that addresses identification and directional signs, perimeter and interior/facility landscaping, facility rehabilitation, and general clean up. Policy 2.7.3.2 - The County shall encourage the use of non-aviation-related lands or those lands identified as incompatible for commercial or industrial use at the airport for appropriate recreation and related public use consistent with federal and state safety/security regulations regarding airports. Policy 2.7.3.3 - By July 1, 2002, and then eEvery twoyearsthereafterWhen applicable and funds are made available, review, revise and update as necessary the business plan for the St. Lucie County International Airport. This St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-74 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 plan shall include a general marketing plan that will be designed to attract new and retain existing businesses at the airport. Objective 2.7.4: All aviation facilities and related airport activities shall be located in areas which minimize adverse impacts on the environment. Policy 2.7.4.1 - To the maximum extent feasible, aviation facilities or airport- related activities shall not be located in areas which would result in alteration, degradation or destruction of wetlands, coastal scrub habitat, the historic coastal ridge or other unique or special habitat protected by the State agencies such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Policy 2.7.4.2 - In the event that any wetland, coastal scrub habitat the historic coastal ridge or other unique or special habitat is degraded or destroyed, St. Lucie County shall ensure that mitigation will occur on the airport property to the maximum extent technically feasible through the restoration of degraded habitat or enhancement of functions and values provided by existing habitat consistent with requirements of State agencies such as Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Policy 2.7.4.3 - All post-development runoff shall be managed consistent with SFWMD requirements. Policy 2.7.4.4 - All aviation-related activities shall be in compliance with the ambient Air Quality Standards set forth by the DEP. Objective 2.7.5: All future development of the St. Lucie County Airport and related aviation facilities shall be consistent with all elements of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 2.7.5.1 - Development at the airport including aviation, commercial, and industrial shall be consistent with all St. Lucie County codes and regulations. Objective 2.7.6: Surface transportation to the St. Lucie County International Airport shall be coordinated with the traffic circulation system identified in the Transportation Element of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan so that levels of service are maintained. Policy 2.7.6.1 - All access routes to the St. Lucie County International Airport will be integrated with all other modes of surface transportation so that Levels of Service, as provided elsewhere in this plan, are maintained. Policy 2.7.6.2 - The County will coordinate intermodal management of surface and water transportation through the St. Lucie MetropolitanTransportation Planning Organization (MTPO) to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and services while maintaining levels of service as provided elsewhere in this plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 2-75 Transportation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Goal 2.8: By October 1, 2001, St. Lucie County shall continue to implement the develop a new Port Master Plan for the Port Of Fort. Pierce to replace the existing 1989 Port Master Plan. Objective 2.8.1: Continue to implementDevelop the Port Master Plan consistent with Chapter 163(2)(a--k), Florida Statutes taking into consideration the existing and proposed development plans for the Port area including the 1996 Port of Fort Pierce Charrette report. Policy 2.8.1.1 - The Port Master Plan shall address the environmental conditions of the Indian River Lagoon and its interaction with existing and proposed port activities. Policy 2.8.1.2 - The Port Master Plan shall address all aspects of port management and operation including safety and security of commercial, industrial, recreational, and environmental activities. Policy 2.8.1.3 - Coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce to ensure consistency with the City's Comprehensive Plan including the Port Sub Element and Coastal Management Element. Policy 2.8.14 - Coordinate with the St. Lucie County MTPO and other appropriate local, state, and federal agencies to ensure adequate intermodal access and adequacy of public facilities and infrastructure. Policy 2.8.1.5 - Develop funding mechanisms to implement the Port Master Plan such as a Tax Increment Financing District, Community Development Area, as well as exploring other funding mechanisms such as grants. Policy 2.8.1.6 - Throughout the development of the Port Master Plan, ensure and encourage public participation of all affected parties through a formalized public participation process. Policy 2.8.1.7 - Upon the completion of the Port Master Plan, make any appropriate amendments to the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. 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The purpose of the Housing Element is to provide guidance for development of appropriate plans and policies to meet identified or projected deficits in the supply of housing for moderate income, low income and very-low income households, group homes, foster care facilities, and households with special housing needs, including rural and farmworker housing. These plans and policies address government activities, as well as provide direction and assistance to the efforts of the private sector. To that end, this Element presents an overview of the existing and projected future conditions pertinent to the preparation of the housing goals, objectives and policies for the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The best available data is provided from the US Census, St. Lucie County, and the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, maintained by the Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, supplemented by local research. St. Lucie County Housing Overview The Florida Housing Coalition’s (FHC) May 2006 report, Affordable Housing Program Review Initial Assessment for St. Lucie County, documents just how much housing costs have increased over the past decade. In 2000, the median income for the County was $49,600. Of the 2,495 single family sales in St. Lucie County in 2000, 65 percent were considered affordable to a family earning 70 percent of the area median income (AMI). By 2006, the AMI for St. Lucie County had risen to $54,600, an increase of 10 percent. However, of the 6,750 single family sales between January 1, 2006 and October 31, 2006, only 10 percent were affordable to afamily earning 70 percent AMI. The previously overheated real estate market has, to some extent, priced many members of the workforce out of St. Lucie County and currently, many homeowners are facing foreclosures. In addition to employees in the public services and health care sectors, those employed in the retail and tourism sectors are finding that their incomes are no longer adequate for attaining housing in the communities where they work. The FHC’s report concludes that the Comprehensive Plan’s adherence to retaining development within the Urban Service Boundary dictates the need for a complementary body of policies to encourage workforce housing within the developable areas. Otherwise new housing will continue to exclude workers essential to the economic development and goals of the County, and will result in a remote workforce that cannot reside in the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-1 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 TheFlorida Sales Report – February 2009 for Single-Family, Existing Homes, for the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie lists a median sales price of $122,100 which represents a 29 percent drop from the previous year (Source: Florida Association of Realtors and the University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies). While this supply may appear to be a solution to the needs of the workforce, home sales prices reflect only a portion of affordability. Wages, loan availability, interest rates, property insurance, utility costs, taxes, ability to sell a person’s current home, etc. all factor into affordability. Foreclosures and Affordable Housing In October 2009, St. Lucie County was ranked first in foreclosure filings per property in the state – one of every 69 – according to RealtyTrac data. At the same time, one in every 136 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing during the quarter. While foreclosures can be traumatic for the household undergoing loss of their home, the foreclosed homes provide a source affordable housing for St. Lucie County residents. The County, through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, is pursuing purchase of foreclosed homes for resale to St. Lucie residents. Housing Programs The St. Lucie County Housing Division administers state and federal housing programs for down payment/closing cost assistance to purchase a home and to rehabilitate existing homes for low income families. Currently, the Housing Division administers the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) programs. Programs are subject to change based on funding availability. In the late 2000’s, St. Lucie County administered a series of programs to aid homeowners affected by the recession and housing crisis. In September 2009, the County received $3.9 million thorough the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This program is not a recurring program as it is set to end in 2013.NSP funds were used for activities which include but are not limited to: Establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed homes and residential properties; Purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties abandoned or foreclosed; Establish land banks for foreclosed homes; Demolish blighted structures; Redevelop demolished or vacant properties Down payment assistance The Towns, Villages, and Countryside Element which provides for a new community in northern St. Lucie County includes provisions for workforce housing: Per Policy 3.1.4.7, the TVC area is required to include 8 percent of the proposed number of residential units as workforce housing. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-2 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 HOUSING INVENTORY Information from the 2000 Census and 2007 Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing has been used to provide many of the following comparative characteristics between St. Lucie County’s unincorporated area and the County as a whole. At the present time, this is the best available information for a detailed analysis of housing characteristics. In order to ensure that affordable housing needs can be properly programmed and accounted for, the County may want to review housing data and inventory again after Census 2010 data is made available. Housing Type: Residential use is a major development characteristic of St. Lucie County. The 36,815 total housing units reported for unincorporated St. Lucie County in 2000 comprised 40.3 percent of the County’s total housing stock of 91,262 reported units. GIS data indicates there are approximately 17,794 acres that had an existing residential land use. This represents 6.3 percent of unincorporated St. Lucie County’s total land area of 283,914 acres. The 2000 Census determined approximately 21.9 percent (8,054 units) of housing units in unincorporated St. Lucie County were multi-family (2 or more), while single-family homes made up 51.6 percent (18,999 units) of the housing stock. A total of 9,559 mobile homes were identified in the 2000 Census. Total units and the percentage of housing inventory by type of unit are shown in Table 3-1. The data comes from the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (AHNA), prepared by the Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing for the State Department of Community Affairs. Table 3-1 Dwelling Units by Structure Type, 2000 St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie County St. Lucie County Unincorporated Unincorporated Dwelling Units Number Percent Number Percent SINGLE FAMILY: 18,99951.6% 60,843 66.7% 1, detached 18,220 57,441 1, attached 779 3,402 MULTI-FAMILY: 8,05421.9% 18,547 20.3% 2 780 3,188 3 or 4 761 3,583 5 to 9 683 2,851 10 to 19 910 2,544 20 or more 4,920 6,381 MOBILE HOMES 9,55926.0% 11,595 12.7% OTHER 2030.6% 277 0.3% TOTAL 36,815100% 91,262 100% Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Housing Tenure: Housing tenure refers to the occupancy of a unit, either owner- occupied or renter-occupied. The AHNA reported 84.4 percent of households in unincorporated St. Lucie County were owner-occupied in 2007. (Statewide, Florida’s homeownership rate is 70.4 percent.) The remaining 15.6 percent were renter-occupied households. Housing tenure characteristics are detailed in Table 3-2. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-3 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-2 Households by Tenure, 2007 St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie UnincorporatedUnincorporatedCounty County Tenure # of # of Percent Percent Households Households Owner Occupied 27,66084.4%85,248 78.3% Renter Occupied 5,10815.6%23,599 21.7% Total Occupied Units 32,768100%108,847 100% Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Housing Vacancy: Table 3-3 shows the housing vacancy characteristics for St. Lucie County as reported in the 2000 Census. At the time of the Census, 8,482 housing units in unincorporated St. Lucie County were vacant. This represents a vacancy rate of 23.0 percent, which is statistically more than the overall St. Lucie County rate of 15.7 percent. This high vacancy rate is largely attributed to the area’s seasonal residents. If units which had been rented or sold that were awaiting occupancy and units held for occasional/seasonal use were eliminated from this figure, the vacancy rate drops to 4.4 percent as shown in Table 3-3. Table 3-3 Housing Vacancy, 2000 St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie Unincorporated Unincorporated County County Status # of Units Percent # of Units Percent For rent 7048.3%2,272 15.9% For sale 5045.9%1,420 9.9% Other 2953.5%804 5.6% For migrant workers 330.4%33 0.2% Seasonal, recreational, occasional use 6,85680.8%9,467 66.1% Rented or sold, not occupied 901.1%333 2.3% TOTAL 8,482100%14,329 100% Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Housing Age: The age of housing structures is distributed relatively evenly throughout the past several decades, with a notable increase in housing construction during the 1980s. Table 3-4 lists the age of housing structures reported in the 2000 Census. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-4 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-4 Age of Housing Structures St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie Unincorporated Unincorporated County County Year Built Share by # of Units Share by Decade # of Units Decade 1999-March 2000 7842,520 1995-1998 3,2479,053 23.7%27.6% 1990-1994 4,68813,633 1980-1989 13,36036.3% 33,259 36.4% 1970-1979 8,88124.1% 18,722 20.5% 1960-1969 3,4239.3% 7,208 7.9% 1950-1959 1,5344.2% 4,237 4.6% 1940-1949 4621.3% 1,394 1.5% 1939 or earlier 4361.2% 1,236 1.4% TOTAL 36,815100% 91,262 100% Source: 2000 Census of Population and Housing. Prepared by: Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2009. Monthly Housing Rent: Table 3-5 compares the monthly gross rents for specified renter-occupied housing units in St. Lucie County for the year 2000. Countywide, the median rent paid by households in 2000 was $621 per month, compared to a statewide median rent of $641. It bears repeating this data is nearly a decade old, and rents have increased substantially since that time. In St. Lucie County and the surrounding metro area (Port St. Lucie MSA), the HUD Fair Market Rent in 2010, representing rent for a typical modest apartment, was $763 for a studio apartment, $765 for a one-bedroom, $969 for a two-bedroom, $1,281 for a three- bedroom, and $1,320 for a four-bedroom unit. Table 3-5 Monthly Gross Rent, Renter-Occupied Housing Units, 2000 St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie UnincorporatedUnincorporated County County Contract Rent # of Units Percent # of Units Percent Less than $200 611.5%6503.9% $200-299 691.7%4092.4% $300-499 85220.5%3,20219.1% $500-749 1,88845.5%7,47644.6% $750-999 68816.6%3,29419.7% $1000-1499 1954.7%7024.2% $1500 or more 390.9%1851.1% No cash rent 3568.6%8365.0% TOTAL 4,148100%16,764100% Source: 2000 Census of Population and Housing. Prepared by: Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2009. Housing Value: Based on figures delineated from the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser, the average just value (fair market value) for a single family home in unincorporated St. Lucie County in 2008 was $186,783, which is a little bit more than the countywide average ($161,861). Statewide, the average value of a single family home St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-5 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 in Florida in 2008 was $248,425. Condominiums also had a higher value in the unincorporated area of the County. In 2008, the average value of condominiums in unincorporated St. Lucie was $239,172, compared with the County average condominium value of $183,194. Table 3-6 shows the value of owner-occupied housing units in unincorporated St. Lucie County as reported in the 2000 Census. Table 3-6 Median Home Value, 2000 St. Lucie - Unincorporated St. Lucie - Unincorporated Value # of Units Percent Less than $50,000 1,414 10.2% $50,000-99,999 7,050 50.7% $100,000-149,999 2,363 17.0% $150,000-199,999 1,297 9.3% $200,000-299,999 995 7.2% $300,000-499,999 635 4.6% $500,000-999,999 105 0.8% $1,000,000 or more 35 0.3% TOTAL 13,894 100% Source: 2000 Census of Population and Housing. Prepared by: Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2009. Median Sales Price: The average sales price for a single family home in unincorporated St. Lucie County was $276,940 in 2007. The median sales price that year was $205,700, compared to a countywide and statewide median sales price of $229,900 and $240,000 respectively. Table 3-7 charts the median sales price for single family homes and condominiums in unincorporated St. Lucie and countywide from 2001 through 2007. Table 3-7 Median Home Sales Prices, 2001-2007 Single Family Condominium Year St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie - St. Lucie Unincorporated County Unincorporated County 2001 $99,950 $97,750 $149,950 $102,500 2002 $110,000 $114,100 $185,000 $132,000 2003 $131,600 $139,800 $250,000 $171,000 2004 $180,000 $174,900 $255,000 $179,900 2005 $222,700 $232,000 $375,000 $216,950 2006 $230,000 $249,500 $338,700 $243,000 2007 $205,700 $229,900 $299,000 $235,000 Source: St. Lucie County Property Appraiser tax roles, compiled by Shimberg Center – Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, 2009. In the last quarter of 2009, the median sales price of single family homes and condominiums combined was $95,700. Monthly Owner-Occupied Costs: Of the total number of owner-occupied housing units in St. Lucie County’s unincorporated area, 66 percent were mortgaged and 34 percent were not mortgaged at the time of the 2000 Census. Table 3-8 shows the monthly owner costs of owner-occupied housing units in 2000. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-6 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-8 Monthly Costs of Owner-Occupied Housing Units, 2000 St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie Mortgage Status and Unincorporated Unincorporated County County Elected Monthly Costs # of Units Percent # of Units Percent Mortgaged Units 9,16365.9%32,139 71.4% Less than $300 630.5%179 0.4% $300-499 8205.9%2,092 4.6% $500-699 2,33316.1%7,081 15.7% $700-999 2,98721.5%12,831 28.5% $1,000-1,499 1,88713.6%7,541 16.7% $1,500-1,999 6504.7%1,513 3.4% More than $2000 5233.8%902 2.0% Non-Mortgaged Units 4,73134.1%12,890 28.6% Less than $300 2,60018.7%6,437 14.3% $300-499 1,46310.5%5,002 11.1% $500-699 3772.7%1,029 2.3% $700-999 2201.6%315 0.7% More than $1,000 710.5%107 0.2% TOTAL REPORTED 13,894100%45,029 100% UNITS Source: 2000 Census of Population and Housing. Prepared by: Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2009. AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS Cost Burden: Cost-burdened households pay more than 30 percent of income for rent or mortgage costs. Using household information extrapolated from Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, the amount of income paid for housing is delineated below by tenure for 2007. The data suggests 8,277 households in unincorporated St. Lucie County – about 25 percent – paid more than 30 percent of income for housing. Table 3-9 Amount of Income Paid for Housing Household by Cost Burden, 2007 A. Owner-Occupied Households, 2007 COST BURDEN NO COST BURDEN 30% - 50% 50% or more 0% - 30% Total Owners Number Percent Number PercentNumber Percent Number Percent St. Lucie - Unincorporated 21,367 77.2%3,742 13.5%2,551 9.2% 27,660 100% St. Lucie County 64,628 75.8% 12,773 15.0% 7,847 9.2% 85,248 100% B. Renter-Occupied Households, 2007 30% - 50%50% or more 0% - 30% Total Renters Number Percent Number PercentNumber Percent Number Percent St. Lucie - Unincorporated 3,124 61.2%974 19.1%1,010 19.8% 5,108 100% St. Lucie County 14,611 61.9%4,749 20.1% 4,239 18.0% 23,599 100% Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-7 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 As Table 3-9 indicates, households in unincorporated St. Lucie County share the same cost burden rates as residents countywide. Household Income: In Table 3-10, household income is measured as a percentage of the median income for the County or area, adjusted for size. In St. Lucie County, the HUD-estimated median income for a family of four is $59,600 in 2009. Of the 32,768 households in unincorporated St. Lucie County in 2007, 6,970 (21.3 percent) were both cost-burdened and in the low or very-low income bracket. Table 3-10 Households by Tenure, Income, and Cost Burden, 2007 A. Owner-Occupied Households, 2007 Household Income as a Percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) 0 – 50% AMI 50.01 – 80% AMI 80.01 – 120% AMI 120.01%+ AMI Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate No Cost Burden 1,964 3,621 5,129 10,653 At 30% or More Cost Burden 1,675 1,002 714 351 At 50% or More Cost Burden 2,030 387 82 52 B. Renter-Occupied Households, 2007 Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate No Cost Burden 657 769 797 901 At 30% or More Cost Burden 617 259 81 17 At 50% or More Cost Burden 931 69 10 0 Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Elderly Households: According to the same analysis,13,111 households (40 percent) in unincorporated St. Lucie (40 percent) were headed by a person age 65 or older in 2007. In comparison, 27.3 percent of households statewide were headed by elderly persons. In unincorporated St. Lucie County, 12,310 of elderly households (93.9 percent) own their homes, while 3,242 elderly households (25 percent) pay more than 30 percent of income for rent or mortgage costs. HOUSING CONDITIONS Substandard Housing: Individual housing units may be considered substandard if the unit lacks complete plumbing for exclusive use of the residents, lack of complete kitchen facilities, lack of central heating, and overcrowding. The 2000 Census provides data regarding these interior conditions of the housing stock. Table 3-11 contains a summary of the measures of substandard housing conditions for St. Lucie County. In 2000, 927 housing units (5.7 percent of all units) in unincorporated St. Lucie were statistically overcrowded, meaning they housed more than one person per room, compared to a countywide percentage of 4.5 percent. St. Lucie’s unincorporated area has the same percentage of homes without heating than the rest of the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-8 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-11 Condition of Housing Stock Summary, 2000 St. Lucie - St. Lucie - St. Lucie St. Lucie Unincorporated Unincorporated County County Substandard Condition # of Units Percent # of Units Percent Overcrowded (more than one person per room) 9275.7%3,485 4.5% Lacking complete kitchen facilities 310.1%214 0.2% Lacking central heating 3081.1%862 1.1% Lacking complete plumbing facilities 910.2%382 0.4% Source: 2000 Census of Population and Housing. Prepared by: Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2009. Subsidized Housing: Section 9J-5.010(1)(d) of the Florida Administrative Code requires local housing elements to provide an inventory of renter-occupied housing developments currently using federal, state, or local subsidies. The following table provides an inventory of federal, state, and/or local assisted rental housing within in the County. None of the facilities lie within unincorporated St. Lucie County. The table shows a total of 2,711 units with rent and/or income restrictions. Table 3-12 Inventory of Federally- State- and Locally- Assisted Rental Housing Development Name Street Address City Assisted Housing Program(s) Population Units Served Bethany Court 501 Bethany Court Ft. Pierce 61 Rental Assistance/HUD | Family State HOME Jenkins Pointe East Side of Jenkins Ft. Pierce 14 Local Bonds Family Apartments - Phase I Road, North of Okeechobee Road Jenkins Pointe East Side of Jenkins Ft. Pierce 43 Local Bonds Family Apartments - Phase II Road, North of Okeechobee Road Jenkins Pointe East Side of Jenkins Ft. Pierce 14 Local Bonds Family Apartments - Phase III Road, North of Okeechobee Road Live Oak Villas 919 S. 25th Street Ft. Pierce 104 Demonstration Project | Farmworker Housing Credits 9% Live Oak Villas II 919 South 25th Ft. Pierce 80 Housing Credits 9% Family Street Madison Cay 1655 N 29th Street Ft. Pierce 132 Housing Credits 9% Family Madison Vines 4262 Oleander Ft. Pierce 92 Housing Credits 9% Family Avenue Orangewood Village 705 S 29th St Ft. Pierce 60 Rental Assistance/HUD Family Pine Creek Village 1110 N 29th St Ft. Pierce 107 Rental Assistance/HUD Family Sabal Chase 100 Corner Drive Ft. Pierce 340 Guarantee | Housing Credits Family Apartments 4% | Section 542 | State Bonds St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-9 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Development Name Street Address City Assisted Housing Program(s) Population Units Served Sands at St. Lucie 2750 South 4th St. Ft. Pierce 320 Housing Credits 4% | State Family Bonds Cove at Saint Lucie 4400 NW Cove Port St. 144 Housing Credits 9% | State Elderly CircleLucieHOME Hillmoor Village 1900 S.E. Hillmoor Port St. 120 Housing Credits 9% Family DriveLucie Hillmoor Village II 1900 S.E. Hillmoor Port St. 110 Housing Credits 9% Family DriveLucie Peacock Run 5500 East Torino Port St. 264 Guarantee | Housing Credits Family Parkway Lucie4% | Section 542 | State Bonds Saint Andrews Pointe 2550 NW Hatches Port St. 184 Housing Credits 4% | SAIL | Family Apartments Harbor Road LucieState Bonds Sanctuary at 5410 Rabbit Run Port St. 284 Housing Credits 4% | State Family WinterlakesLucieBonds Tiffany Club 1500 Tiffany Club Port St. 188 Housing Credits 4% | State Family Apartments PlaceLucieBonds Villa Seton 3300 Chartwell Port St. 50 Rental Assistance/HUD | Elderly Street LucieSection 202 Capital Advance | State HOME Source: Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, 2009. Community Residential Facilities: Section 9J-5.010(1)(e) of the Florida Administrative Code requires local housing elements to provide an inventory of group homes licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. A “community residential home" means a dwelling unit licensed to serve residents who are clients of the Department of Elderly Affairs, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Department of Children and Family Services. According to www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov, there are 45 assisted living facilities, 9 nursing homes, 1 residential treatment facility, 12 adult family care homes in St. Lucie County, and a host of other facilities offering various types of treatment. Details of these facilities, including the number of licensed beds for each, is detailed below. Table 3-13 Community Residential Facilities Licensed Name Facility Type Address City Beds 5288 NW NORTH MACEDO A HOLLYHOME ALF Assisted Living Facility BLVD PSL 6 ABBIEJEAN RUSSELL CARE CENTER LLC Nursing Home 700 S 29TH STREET FP 79 ACADEMY ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, INC. Assisted Living Facility 1225 SOLTMAN AVENUE FP 20 ALZHEIMER'S DAY CARE-FT. PIERCE Adult Day Care Center 2900 SOUTH JENKINS RD FP 45 AMAZING GRACE INC Assisted Living Facility 1160 SE PURITAN LANE PSL 6 ANTOINE, FRANCOISE Adult Family Care Home 1342 SW DEL RIO BLVD PSL 5 ARC OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, THE KITTERMAN HOUSE Residential Treatment Facility 705 KITTERMAN RD FP 6 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-10 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Licensed Name Facility Type Address City Beds AURORA OF THE TREASURE COAST Assisted Living Facility 6609 N. US1 FP 16 BAXTER'S ADULT HOME Assisted Living Facility 1092 SW MAJORCA AVENUE PSL 6 BAYAMO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, INC Assisted Living Facility 1199 SW BAYAMO AVENUE FP 6 BAYSHORE RESIDENCE Assisted Living Facility 686 S.W. LUCERO DR. PSL 6 BEACHLAND RETIREMENT HOME INC. Assisted Living Facility 462 HERNANDO STREET FP 8 BOWE, BETTY JEAN Adult Family Care Home 2739 CHEROKEE AVE. FP 5 BRENOVIL, ZULIA Adult Family Care Home 902 SE PRESTON LANE PSL 5 BRIGHTON GARDENS OF PORT ST LUCIE Nursing Home 1699 SE LYNGATE DRIVE PSL 30 BRIGHTON GARDENS OF PORT ST. LUCIE Assisted Living Facility 1699 SE LYNGATE DRIVE PSL 110 BROADMOOR ASSISTED LIVING Assisted Living Facility 200 DIXIELAND DRIVE FP 55 CAMPBELL, BEVERLY SMITH Adult Family Care Home 2808 S 10TH STREET FP 5 CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (THE) Assisted Living Facility 4700 BUCHANAN DRIVE FP 6 CIRCLE OF CARE (THE) Assisted Living Facility 4161 SW TUMBLE ST PSL 6 COUNTRY LIVING ASSISTED CARE CENTER Assisted Living Facility 1762 SW ARCH STREET PSL 6 COX, ANGEL Adult Family Care Home 2897 HARSON WAY FP 5 537 SOUTHWEST DAVIS, CHRISTINE Adult Family Care Home WHITMORE DRIVE PSL 5 DIVINE SENIOR CARE, INC. Assisted Living Facility 4707 OLEANDER AVENUE FP 20 ELLIS, ELAINE Adult Family Care Home 581 SW BACON TERRACE PSL 4 EMERALD HEALTH CARE CENTER Nursing Home 1655 SE WALTON ROAD PSL 120 Intermediate Care Facility for FLORIDA MENTOR the Developmentally Disabled 2318 RICH STREET PSL 6 Intermediate Care Facility for FLORIDA MENTOR the Developmentally Disabled 111 NE CAPRONA AVENUE PSL 6 FORT PIERCE HEALTH CARE Nursing Home 611 S 13TH STREET FP 171 FRIENDS ASSISTED LIVING, INC Assisted Living Facility 1102 ALAMEDA AVE FP 6 GOD'S LOVE AND CARE ENTERPRISES Assisted Living Facility 2073 SE RAINIER ROAD PSL 6 GOLDEN MEADOWS, INC Assisted Living Facility 1238 SW JACQUELINE AVE PSL 6 HARBOR PLACE AT PORT ST LUCIE, THE Assisted Living Facility 3700 SE JENNINGS ROAD PSL 128 HARDEN, CHARMAINE Adult Family Care Home 6908 NW KOWAL CT PSL 5 HARMONY CARE HOME INC Assisted Living Facility 534 SE THANKSGIVING AVE PSL 6 HORIZON BAY VIBRANT RET LIVING 448 Assisted Living Facility 9825 S. U.S. HIGHWAY 1 PSL 120 HOSPICE OF THE TREASURE COAST, INC. Hospice 5090 DUNN ROAD FP 16 INDEPENDENT LIVING WITH CARE, 3165 SW FAMBROUGH INC Assisted Living Facility STREET PSL 6 JAMAICA SHORES Assisted Living Facility 171 SW EULER AVE PSL 6 JOHANNA'S ASSISTED LIVING INC Assisted Living Facility 1958 DORADO LANE PSL 6 KANLAKE Assisted Living Facility 308 SOUTH 30 STREET FP 6 LAKE FOREST PARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Assisted Living Facility 2909 SOUTH 25TH STREET FP 68 LAUREL POINTE HEALTH AND REHABILITATION Nursing Home 703 29TH STREET FP 107 LIFE CARE CENTER OF PORT SAINT LUCIE Nursing Home 3720 SE JENNINGS ROAD PSL 123 1699 SW SOUTHWORTH LIFE LONG LEARNING CENTER, INC. Assisted Living Facility TERRACE PSL 6 LYNMOORE ST LUCIE LAWNWOOD 1550 NORTH LAWNWOOD (THE) Assisted Living Facility CIRCLE FP 87 MARTIN, EDITH Adult Family Care Home 3650 SW VICEROY STREET PSL 5 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-11 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Licensed Name Facility Type Address City Beds NATURE'S EDGE Assisted Living Facility 699 N.W. AIROSO BLVD. PSL 33 NEW HORIZONS OF THE TREASURE COAST CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT Crisis Stabilization Unit 4500 W. MIDWAY ROAD FP 30 NEW HORIZONS OF THE TREASURE COAST, INC SRT PROGRAM Crisis Stabilization Unit 4500 W MIDWAY RD FP 20 NEW LIFE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY Assisted Living Facility 2133 S.E. SHELTER DRIVE PSL 6 OHANA ADULT FAMILY CARE HOME Assisted Living Facility 817 SW SAIL TERRACE PSL 7 PALM GARDEN OF PORT SAINT LUCIE Nursing Home 1751 SE HILLMOOR DRIVE PSL 120 PALMS OF ST LUCIE WEST (THE) Assisted Living Facility 501 NW CASHMERE BLVD. PSL 80 PARADISE CARE COTTAGE Assisted Living Facility 2277 S.E. LENNARD ROAD PSL 50 PARAH INC. Assisted Living Facility 701 SW TULIP BLVD PSL 6 Prescribed Pediatric Extended PATCHES Care Center 2959 W MIDWAY RD FP 30 PERFECT KARE ALF Assisted Living Facility 5902 NW WOLVERINE RD PSL 6 PETERSON, MYRTLE MERINA Adult Family Care Home 120 MAPLE AVE FP 5 PORT SAINT LUCIE NURSING & RESTORATIVE CARE CENTER Nursing Home 7300 OLEANDER AVENUE PSL 180 QUALITY CARE ASSISTED LIVING OF THE TREASURE COAST, INC. Assisted Living Facility 432 S.W. PRADO AVENUE PSL 6 190 S.W. RIDGECREST RIDGECREST ASSISTED LIVING Assisted Living Facility DRIVE PSL 6 ROSEWOOD GARDENS INC. Assisted Living Facility 643 NE LAGOON LANE PSL 6 ROSIE'S PLACE Assisted Living Facility 1102 SW IVANHOE STREET PSL 6 ROYAL CARE A.C.L.F., INC. Assisted Living Facility 5081 DUNN ROAD FP 12 SEMINOLE ACRES KANLAKE II Assisted Living Facility 3562 SEMINOLE ROAD FP 10 SERENITY CARE CENTER Assisted Living Facility 619 SW JAFFE AVE PSL 6 SITE A - COUNCIL ON AGING Adult Day Care Center 1505 ORANGE AVENUE FP 60 SITE B - COUNCIL ON AGING ADC SENIOR CAMPUS Adult Day Care Center 2501 SW BAYSHORE BLVD. PSL 55 SPELLS, JULIE CRYSTAL Adult Family Care Home 910 ECHO STREET FP 5 SPRINGFIELD GARDENS Assisted Living Facility 588 SW RAY AVENUE PSL 5 SUNNY DAYS ALF, INC II Assisted Living Facility 4645 SW VAHALLA ST PSL 6 SUNNYDAYS ALF, INC Assisted Living Facility 169 N.E. PRIMA VISTA BLVD. PSL 6 SWABY, BEVERLY Adult Family Care Home 2207 SW HAYCRAFT CIRCLE PSL 5 TIFFANY HALL NURSING AND REHAB CENTER Nursing Home 1800 S E HILLMOOR DRIVE PSL 120 V & R RETIREMENT, INC. Assisted Living Facility 356 SE PRIMA VISTA BLVD. PSL 6 Source: http://www.floridahealthfinder.gov, 2009. Mobile Homes: Section 9J-5.010(1)(f) of the Florida Administrative Code requires local housing elements to provide an inventory of existing mobile home parks licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. Mobile home parks, lodging and recreational vehicle parks, and recreational camps are licensed annually by the Department of Health in accordance with Chapter 64E-15, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), rules. The county health departments provide direct services in the operational aspect of the program through routine inspections, plan reviews, educational programs, and enforcement actions. The following table lists all the licensed mobile home parks in the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-12 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-14 Licensed Mobile Home Parks Mobile RV Name HomeAddress City Spaces Spaces Bennetts Mobile Home Park 22 2 3426 S 7th St FP Bentonwood Mobile Home Park 51 - 6143 S U S Highway 1 FP Colony Club Mobile Home Park 50 - 2601 N US Highway 1 FP Torpey Oaks Mobile Home Park 9 - 4185 John Cook Way FP Country Cove Mobile Home Community 138 10 4113 N US Hwy 1 FP Mariposa Associates MHP/PSL Mobile Village\ 81 - 3600 SE Mariposa Av Lot B PSL Easy Livin' R.V. Park & Sales 8 42 4611 S US Highway 1 FP Fort Pierce Food & Gas 20 - 2840 N US Highway 1 FP Glen Oaks Mobile Home Park 36 - 1350 Juanita Av FP Golden Ponds, Inc. 390 - 10001 W Angle Rd FP H and H Mobile Home Park 21 - 6025 N US Highway 1 FP Manatee Mobile Home & RV Park 76 69 3550 S US Highway 1 FP Cypress Bay Mobile Home Park 75 - 6545 N US Highway 1 FP Palm Vista Mobile Ranch 20 - 709 S 33rd St FP Pine View Mobile Home Park 52 25 3265 S US Highway 1 FP Plantation Manor 376 - 3200 S US Highway 1 FP Ridgecrest Mobile Home Park 185 - 2251 N US Highway 1 FP Road Runner Travel Resort 16 436 5500 St. Lucie Blvd FP Savannas Recreation Area 2 54 1400 E Midway Rd FP Spanish Lakes 1,387 - 8200 S US Highway 1 PSL Spanish Lakes Country Club Village 1,300 - 1 Las Casitas FP Spanish Lakes Fairways 1,573 - 6200 Nuevo Lagos FP Spanish Lakes Golf Village 740 - Village Green Dr PSL Spanish Lakes Riverfront 621 - 7901 S US Highway 1 PSL Sunnier Palms Members Lodge 34 14 8800 Okeechobee Rd FP Sunrise Trailer & RV Park, Inc. 13 23 1821 N US Highway 1 FP Tall Pines Mobile Home Community 257 - 314 S Erie Dr FP Tangelo Village-Dixie Mobile Homes, Inc. 54 - 3135 S US Highway 1 FP Tanglewood Mobile Home Park 158 - 345 E Weatherbee Rd FP Tropical Isles 334 - 281 Tropical Isles Cir FP Windsong Mobile Village 152 - 3200 S 7th St FP Flying J Travel Plaza - 4 100 N Kings Hwy FP Port St. Lucie RV Resort - 117 3703 Jennings Rd PSL Treasure Coast RV Resort - 165 2550 Crossroads Pkwy FP Source: Florida Department of Health, 2009. Farmworker Housing: Section 9J-5.010(2)(b) of the Florida Administrative Code requires local housing elements to provide a needs assessment for rural and farmworker households. The following data was obtained from the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse. The data is from 2004 and is on a countywide level. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-13 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-15 Need for Farmworker Housing Units by Type, 2004 Unaccompanied Supply: Need for Accompanied Supply: Need for Migrant & DOH-SingleMigrant & SectionFamily SeasonalPermitted PersonSeasonal514/516 and Units Households Camps Beds Households FHFC- Assisted Family Units 610 0 610 223 0 223 Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Historically Significant Housing: Section 9J-5.010(1)(g) of the Florida Administrative Code requires local housing elements to provide an inventory of historically significant housing listed on the Florida Master Site File, National Register of Historic Places, or designated as historically significant by a local ordinance. Two historic homes on the National Register of Historic Places lie in unincorporated St. Lucie County: Casa Caprona and the Captain Hammond House. Appendix 1A in the Future Land Use Element shows structures including residences in the Florida Master Site File. NEEDS ASSESSMENT Household Projections: The Florida Administrative Code requires that household population projections be delineated by household size and income. Projections for unincorporated St. Lucie County are detailed below. Table 3-16 Household Projections by Household Size SIZE2007 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 1-2 23,348 23,840 25,657 27,373 39,059 30,587 3-4 6,724 6,845 7,318 7,721 8,112 8,467 5+ 2,570 2,617 2,802 2,963 3,120 3,262 Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Affordable Housing Demand: Table 3-17 presents the very-low, low, and moderate income housing needs estimates and projections through 2030. Table 3-17 Projected Housing Affordability by Income and Tenure, St. Lucie-Unincorporated, 2007- 2030 A. Owner-Occupied Households Household Income as a Percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) 0-50% AMI 50.01-80% AMI 80.01-120% AMI 120.01+% AMI Year Very-Low Low Moderate Above Moderate 2007 5,669 5,010 5,925 11,056 2010 5,836 5,146 6,059 11,249 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-14 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 A. Owner-Occupied Households Household Income as a Percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) 0-50% AMI 50.01-80% AMI 80.01-120% AMI 120.01+% AMI 2015 6,400 5,610 6,543 11,986 2020 7,012 6,095 7,013 12,605 2025 7,638 6,591 7,481 13,181 2030 8,218 7,048 7,907 13,681 B. Renter-Occupied Households Year Very-Low Low Moderate Above Moderate 2007 2,205 1,097 888 918 2010 2,221 1,102 891 923 2015 2,337 1,149 923 958 2020 2,404 1,170 927 969 2025 2,462 1,184 921 974 2030 2,514 1,200 917 976 Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. The analysis suggests that 4,999 of the additional 9,693 households projected through 2030 will have an income less than 80 percent of the area median income. Of these low and very-low income households, 4,587 (92 percent) will be owner-occupied, while 412 (8 percent) will be renter-occupied. The following tables detail the number of households that are both cost burdened and make less than 80 percent of the area median income for the short term (2015) and long term (2030) planning timeframes. In 2015, 7,648 households (21.3 percent) fall into this category. In 2030, the number of households that are both cost burdened and make less than 80 percent of the area median income jumps to 9,094, although the overall percentage remains unchanged. Table 3-18 Projected Households by Tenure, Income, and Cost Burden, 2015 A. Owner-Occupied Households, 2015 Household Income as a Percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) 0 – 50% AMI 50.01 – 80% AMI 80.01 – 120% AMI 120.01%+ AMI Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate No Cost Burden 2,247 4,099 5,688 11,547 At 30% or More Cost Burden 1,918 1,089 767 384 At 50% or More Cost Burden 2,235 422 88 55 B. Renter-Occupied Households, 2015 Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate No Cost Burden 701 801 825 940 At 30% or More Cost Burden 652 272 86 18 At 50% or More Cost Burden 984 76 12 0 Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-15 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 3-19 Projected Households by Tenure, Income, and Cost Burden, 2030 A. Owner-Occupied Households, 2030 Household Income as a Percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) 0 – 50% AMI 50.01 – 80% AMI 80.01 – 120% AMI 120.01%+ AMI Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate No Cost Burden 2,985 5,308 6,964 13,165 At 30% or More Cost Burden 2,557 1,251 849 457 At 50% or More Cost Burden 2,676 489 94 59 B. Renter-Occupied Households, 2030 Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate No Cost Burden 772 821 915 953 At 30% or More Cost Burden 697 291 88 23 At 50% or More Cost Burden 1,045 88 14 0 Source: Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing, 2009. Conclusion In addition to their economic development programs, the County is taking strides to minimize the long term impacts of the current real estate crisis. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program can be used to buy foreclosed homes in existing neighborhoods. New development in TVC overlay areas is required to provide workforce housing. Additionally, down payment assistance programs have been made available to many first time home buyers. The County may wish to reassess affordable housing conditions and programs after the release of new 2010 Census data. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-16 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 HOUSING ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 3.1: To provide guidance, based on accepted planning principles, for the provision of housing resources for all citizens through public/private cooperative arrangements. Objective 53.1.1: The County shall ensure the creation and/or preservation of affordable housing for all current and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction, and households with special housing needs including rural and farmworker housing, workforce housing as well as adequate sites and distribution of housing for very-low-income, low-income and moderate-income households. The County shall accommodate a minimum 8,775 new single-family dwelling units and a minimum 1,622 new multifamily dwelling units by the year 2010 in the locations shown on the Future Land Use Map. Policy 53.1.1.1 - To provide sufficient land to meet the future housing needs, the Future Land Use Map has designated 1,868 acres to accommodate 9,340 new single-family dwelling units and 754 acres to accommodate a minimum of 6,786 new multifamily dwelling unitsshall provide future land use designations that provide for diverse housing stockallow a variety of housing types, affordabilities and densities. Policy 53.1.1.2 - The County shall continue to permit high density residential development in Planned Mixed Use Development projects. Objective 53.1.2:In order to facilitate the development of industries (industrial and commercial) providing numerous positions, the County shall encourage the development of housing conducive to the attraction of these new industries and which have been identified as a need within St. Lucie County. Policy 53.1.21.13- In order to facilitate the location of new commercial and industrial enterprises especially high-tech industries, the cCounty shall designate 1,868 acres of land to accommodate a minimum of 9,340 single-family dwellingmaintain sufficient housing units whichto will encourage the relocation of new businesses. Policy 53.1.2.21.4 - The County shall encourage the residential development of single-family residential dwelling units to be located in the vicinity of new industrial and commercial development. Policy 3.1.2.31.5 Explore existing and new programs by 2013 to assist employers who desire to participate in making housing opportunities in reasonable proximity to the workplace. Objective 53.1.32: By 2003, tThe Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall clearly continue to define incentives to facilitate public and private sector corporationcooperation. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-17 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 53.1.32.1 - The County will continue to review ordinances, codes, regulations and the permitting process for the purpose of identifying excessive requirements, and amending or adding other requirements in order to maintain or increase private sector participation in meeting the housing needs, while continuing to insure the health, welfare and safety of the residents. Policy 53.1.32.2 - Based upon economic data showing need, Tthe County shall continue to support incentives including fast track processing and reduced permit fees forto proposed affordable housing developments. Policy 53.1.32.3 - The County shall incorporate land development regulationsLand Development Code which insure that high density residential developments incorporate accommodations within the developmentfor public transit facilities if along transit routes. Policy 53.1.32.4 - Based upon economic data showing need, ByDecember 31, 2003, the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall continue toprovide private sector and nonprofit organizations incentives for the provision of affordable housing, including density bonuses. Goal 53.2: To provide an adequate mix of safe and sanitary housing which meets the needs of existing and future St. Lucie County residents. Objective 53.2.1: By 20052014, the County shall, by using the 2000 2010Census, analyzereviewthe housing needs within the Unincorporated County of all income groups and shall amend the Comprehensive Plan accordinglyas necessary. Policy 53.2.1.1 - By 20052014, the County shall re-examine the housing needs based on the data from the 2000 2010Census and, as may be necessary, amend the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code to address those needs identified. Policy 3.2.1.2 The County shall review housing affordability based upon property values to ensure efficiency of the workforce and affordable housing delivery system. Policy 3.2.1.3- Explore the feasibility and need for developing guidelines for an inclusionary housing program that provides incentives for private development to include a portion of residential units as certified affordable by December 2014. Objective 53.2.2: By August 1, 2004, tThe County shall establish continue to maintain a housing data base which includes updated information from the 2000 USCensus and other sources about the type, tenure, cost and condition of housing stock in St. Lucie County. Policy 53.2.2.1 - After the housing database is established, tThe data shall be updated annually to assure that reliable and current data are available. Policy 53.2.2.2 - Using the housing database, the County will provide information, technical assistance, and incentives to the private sector and nonprofit organizations to maintain a housing production capacity sufficient to meet the required demand. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-18 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 53.2.2.3 - The Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall not restrict the location of publicly assisted or low and moderate income based housing within single-family neighborhoods. Policy 53.2.2.4 - Rural and farm worker housing locational criteria shall be reviewed for incorporation into the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code by August 1, 2003,within one year according to these general guidelines: A. Rural and farm worker housing should be located near collectors or arterials leading to work sites, shopping and social services; B. It is recognized that rural and farm worker housing often will be dependent on onsite sanitary sewer and potable water supplies. Objective 53.2.3: The County will develop a comprehensive housing program to address substandard housing. Policy 53.2.3.1 - The County shall update and maintain the survey, which locates and assesses the substandard, dilapidated housing units in the County. Policy 53.2.3.2 – The County shall continue to eEncourage rehabilitation of Substandardsubstandard, dilapidated housing through rehabilitation grants that follow green initiatives such as the use of green, energy efficient materials as appropriate. These materials include, but are not limited to, green building materials, energy efficient appliances, and renewable energy, such as photovoltaic and other renewable energy as appropriate on projects..to the extent feasible.will be eliminated thorough demolition or removal. Policy 53.2.3.3 - The County will seek partnerships with cooperative neighborhood and civic groups to further the elimination of substandard dilapidated housing. Policy 53.2.3.4 - Demolition may be undertaken by a public agency, or nonprofit organization set up to meet the goals, objectives and policies of this Element. Policy 3.2.3.5- The County shall explore the feasibility of a community land trust and land banking guidelines for the purpose of providing workforce and affordable housing by December 2014. Policy 3.2.3.6- Explore forming a housing trust fund that will be a depository for any funds donated or received through other fees that would be dedicated to affordable housing needs by December 2015. Policy 3.2.3.7- The County shall consider creating public-private partnerships with private non-profit corporations for the provision of affordable and workforce housing. Objective 53.2.4: By August 1, 2001, tThe County will establishshall maintain an Affordable Housing Advisory CommitteeHousing Task Force, consisting of public- and private-sector representatives. This task forcecommittee will be assigned the task of identifying the housing needs of St. Lucie County for the existing and anticipated populations of St. Lucie County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-19 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 53.2.4.1 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forceshall include a member of the St. Lucie County School Board, and at least one low-income housing representative, at least one building contractor, at least one person with special housing needs, at least one farm worker or union representative, at least one agricultural employer and at least one social service professionalconsist of eleven (11) members as follows: 1. A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing; 2. One citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing; 3. One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing; 4. One citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing; 5. One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing; 6. One citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing; 7. One citizen who serves on the local planning agency pursuant to Section 163.3174, Florida Statutes; 8. One citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments; 9. One citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction; 10. One citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan; and 11. One citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing. Policy 53.2.4.2 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forcewill assess housing needs, including affordable housing, on a regular basis, research issues, and recommend programs to the Board of County Commissioners to meet the housing needs of St. Lucie County residents and annually prepare a report of its findings. The AHAC shall submit a report to the st Board of County Commissioners every three years on or before December 1 beginning December 1, 2008. Policy 53.2.4.3 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forceshall research and prepare a set of recommendations as to the economic impact of all housing types and identify the most appropriate location for the housing types. Policy 53.2.4.4 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forceshall support the efforts of the Fort Pierce Housing Authority and assist in its efforts to determine and develop sites and programs for housing low and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-20 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 moderate-income persons as well as migrant farm workers. Policy 53.2.4.5 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Force shall ensure that the provision of affordable housing is sufficient in quantity to serve the needs of the existing and anticipated population of St. Lucie County and households with special housing needs. Policy 53.2.4.6 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forceshall provide information to private businesses to ensure that appropriate housing is available.on assisted housing programs and provide a proactive marketing strategy on available services. Policy 53.2.4.7 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forcewill encourage private business to work with US Department of Agriculture Housing and Community Facilities Programs Farmers Home Administration and other nonprofit organizations in the development and management of housing for farm workers and migrant laborers. Policy 53.2.4.8 - The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forceshall, upon completion of a study of the housing needs within St. Lucie County, develop and provide for the Board of County Commissioners review and approval locational criteria for the location of affordable and migrant farm worker housing. Policy 53.2.4.9 - If the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Housing Task Forcedetermines that a separate organization to meet farm worker needs will be required, the Task Force shall establish or cause to be established such an organization. Objective 53.2.5: Sites suitable for low and moderate-income housing shall be maintained in the County to meet the current and projected population needs. Policy 53.2.5.1 - The County shall maintain or increase the amount of vacant land currently designated on the Future Land Use Map as Residential High (RH) designationin order to provide options for development of reduce land costs for low and moderate income housing. At least annually the plan shall be amended to add RH designated acreage comparable to the amount that has been developed during the previous year. Policy 53.2.5.2 – The Towns, Villages, and Countryside (TVC) Element shall continue to require the creation of workforce housing within the designated TVC area.The County shall maintain at a minimum 25 percent surplus of vacant land designated for high-and/or medium-density residential use on the Future Land Use Map and inside the Urban Service Boundary, in order that an adequate choice of sites for housing is available at all times. At least annually the plan shall be amended to provide for the surplus. Objective 53.2.6: The County shall continue to provide regulations that permit mobile homes in the county. Policy 53.2.6.1 - The RMH-5 zoning or a similar classification shall be retained in the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-21 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 53.2.6.2 - The Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall provide provisions allowing a Class A mobile home to be located in any residential zoning district. Objective 3.2.7: The County shall support energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources in existing housing and in the design and construction of new housing. Policy 3.2.7.1 - The County shall encourage support for residential construction that meets the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system or the Florida Green Building Coalition standards Policy 3.2.7.2 - The County shall educate residents on home energy reduction strategies. Policy 3.2.7.3 - The County shall not prohibit the appropriate placement of photovoltaic panels. The County shall develop and adopt review criteria to establish the standards for the appropriate placement of photovoltaic panels. Policy 3.2.7.4 - The County shall provide educational materials on the strategic placement of landscape materials to reduce energy consumption. Policy 3.2.7.5 - The County shall ensure that safety, aesthetics, and energy efficiency are considered in planning affordable housing projects. Policy 3.2.7.6 – The County shall require in all rehabilitation and replacement projects use of green, energy efficient materials as appropriate. Policy 3.2.7.7 – The County shall include in affordable housing projects use of renewable energy resources to the fullest extent possible. Policy 3.2.7.8 – The County shall encourage water reuse including use of rain barrels by residents to reduce overall water usage. Policy 3.2.7.9 – The review of housing affordability shall include a review of energy efficiency and energy costs for homeowners. Policy 3.2.7.10- The County shall facilitate the creation of low interest loans through the Solar and Energy Loan Fund to residents and business owners to install energy efficiency and conservation measures as well as renewable energy technology. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 3-22 Housing Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Purpose The purpose of the Infrastructure Element is to provide for necessary public facilities and services correlated to future land use designations. This element addresses general utilities which are provided by or managed by the County. These include: Potable Water Solid Waste Drainage and Natural Groundwater Recharge Sanitary Sewer POTABLE WATER SUBELEMENT Introduction The Potable Water Sub element provides a summary of existing potable water supplies and treatment facilities in St. Lucie County. These facilities include municipal regional systems and area or development - specific systems, in addition to systems for individual residences. Only a small portion of the unincorporated county is currently serviced through County owned services (primarily the Holiday Pines development), and North Hutchinson Island. A bulk user agreement is in place with the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) to provide service in portions of the County’s northern service area within the Urban Service Boundary. FPUA also serves customers within its retail service area. The Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department provides service in the southeast portion of the County within their designated service area. The majority of the residential supply within the unincorporated county is provided by private wells, and treatment systems. The needs for the County’s future are discussed, with goals, objectives and policies focusing on specific activities which will remedy those needs. Existing Planning Documents St. Lucie County completed the Water and Wastewater Master Plan in October of 2008 and the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan in December of 2008 which will serve as the overall planning documents for potable water facilities. The two (2) major municipalities within the County, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, have regionalized potable water treatment and distribution systems. St. Lucie County Utilities (SLCU) is currently developing a regional water treatment and distribution system to serve unincorporated areas of the County within the urban service boundary. The City of Fort Pierce completed a master plan update for water and wastewater in September 2006. The Fort Pierce Utility Authority completed its Water Supply Facility Work Plan in December 2007 and the City of Port St. Lucie completed theirs in November 2007. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-1 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Geographic Service Area Figure 2-1 in the Water Supply Facilities Work Planoutlines general areas of potable water service for the major regional facilities now operating in the County. The major regional facilities supplying unincorporated St. Lucie County are: St. Lucie County Utilities (SLCU) Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) Regional Facilities St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District (formerly known as Holiday Pines Service Corporation): In July 1999, SLCU acquired the Holiday Pines Service Corporation. The service area for the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District includes the Holiday Pines subdivision and some commercial and residential areas fronting Kings Highway and Indrio Road, as well as North Hutchinson Island. In August 2005, the North Hutchinson Island Utility District, Airport Utility District, North County (Holiday Pines) Utility District, Mid County District, Indian River Estates Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) District and H.E.W. Utility District were consolidated into the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District. SLCU owns and operates a water treatment plant with a permitted capacity of 0.288 MGD (Holiday Pines WTP). Average daily flow at this facility in 2006 was 0.124 MGD. Plans are currently underway to increase the Holiday Pines WTP capacity to 0.5 MGD. North Hutchinson Island Utility District (now a part of the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District as noted above): In 1991, SLCU acquired the Bryn Mawr and North Hutchinson Island Water and Wastewater Utilities and expanded them to form a regional water and wastewater utility serving all of North Hutchinson Island. The North Hutchinson Utility District purchases potable water from FPUA and resells the water to its customers on North Hutchinson Island. North Hutchinson Utility District offers potable water to North Hutchinson Island from North A1A / Little Jim Bridge north to approximately 2.2 miles south of the County line. Construction is currently underway to extend this service north to the County line. South Hutchinson Island (SHI) District Wastewater Utility:The County owns and operates a 1.6 MGD water reclamation facility on SHI to serve the properties within the SHI MSBU. Potable water service for this area is provided by FPUA. : Fort Pierce Utilities Authority The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, (FPUA) maintains a twenty (20) million gallon per day (MGD) potable water treatment plant referred to as the th Henry A. Gahn Water Treatment Plant (WTP) located on 25 Street in Fort Pierce. This facility consists of two separate WTPs, one lime-softening and one reverse osmosis (RO), with a combined permitted capacity of 18.99 MGD. Raw water is obtained from several municipal wellfields consisting of both surficial aquifer and Floridan aquifer wells and is processed for potable water use at the WTP. In 1999, the FPUA announced plans to complete a 4.0 MGD RO expansion to the existing facility, bringing the total plant capacity to 25.2 MGD. An additional 2.0 MGD filter system in the future will increase the permitted treatment capacity to 27.2 MGD. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-2 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The production capacity of this facility is presently permitted 17.9 MGD by the South Florida Water Management District water use permit. The first phase of expansion occurred in late 2000, with future expansion plans being adopted. This facility currently provides water service to the City of Fort Pierce and adjacent unincorporated areas, including most of South Hutchinson Island to the Martin County line, and to areas north, west, and south of the City limits. The water service boundary is approximately bounded by Midway Road to the south (and, on South Hutchinson Island by the Martin County line); by the Turnpike to the west; by St. Lucie Boulevard to the north; and by the Atlantic Ocean to the east. FPUA has entered into a bulk agreement with the County to serve some of these adjoining properties. Properties located adjacent to and nearby Fort Pierce are responsible for locating and maintaining their own water supplies. These on-site water supplies normally obtain their water from shallow aquifer wells. Private Utilities with Capacities Greater than 0.1 MGD in Unincorporated St. Lucie County Spanish Lakes Mobile Home Park: The Spanish Lakes Mobile Home Park is owned by the Wynne Building Corporation. Potable water service is provided via an on-site RO WTP. As of February 2008, the RO system construction is not fully complete, but is operating with FDEP permission. Raw water is provided via four (4) surficial aquifer wells. The permitted capacity of the WTP is 0.33 MGD. The existing population within the mobile home park is two thousand, four hundred and seventy (2,470) (1,300 lots), which is anticipated to increase to three thousand, forty (3,040) in 2010. Spanish Lakes Fairways: Spanish Lakes Fairways is a private adult community located in the northwest portion of the County’s mainland St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District service area. The sixteen hundred (1,600) unit development reached a build-out population of thirty-two hundred (3,200) people in 2004 and has no plans for further expansion. The development owns and operates a water treatment plant that provides potable water service via an on-site RO WTP with a permitted capacity of 0.570 MGD. Raw water is supplied to the water treatment plant by four (4), eight (8)-inch wells constructed into the surficial aquifer. The maximum day demands are well within the plant’s permitted capacity. Panther Woods: Panther Woods, formerly Meadowood Golf and Country Club, owns and operates a lime softening WTP that is permitted to produce up to 0.432 MGD of potable water. The historical peak day production is approximately 0.2 MGD. The WTP, fed by four 8-inch surficial aquifer wells, was recently refurbished and start-up took place in January 2008. Water Supply Wells There is an increasing trend in the County to shift from the use of shallow groundwater, or the surficial aquifer, to the deeper Floridan aquifer. The Floridan aquifer wells are generally located in the coastal areas. The majority of the water supply wells in St. Lucie County presently draw water from the surficial aquifer. The wells located in the surficial aquifer range in size from one-inch, for the low demand systems, such as a home or small business, to twenty-four (24) inches for the larger demand regional systems. Also in service in the County are deeper wells which are fed from the Floridan aquifer. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-3 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The larger surficial wells are primarily used to supply water to package plants and regional facilities. A large number of the smaller surficial wells are concentrated in residential developments that are not served by any regional water or wastewater facility. Many of these wells exist on one quarter (1/4) - acre lots which generally also have on-site septic systems for their wastewater disposal. The Floridan aquifer wells are generally located in the coastal areas. On South Hutchinson Island, Ocean Towers and Miramar condominiums use Floridan aquifer wells for their private WTPs. FPUA has recently received a water use permit from the SFWMD to construct Floridan aquifer wells that will allow FPUA to blend treated water from the Floridan aquifer with water from the surficial aquifer. FPUA currently operates thirty-five (35) surficial aquifer wells and nine (9) Floridan aquifer wells, and is currently in the process of constructing two (2) additional Floridan aquifer wells. The City of Port St. Lucie has a combined system consisting of thirty-four (34) surficial aquifer wells, eleven (11) existing Floridan aquifer wells and six (6) proposed Floridan aquifer wells. St. Lucie County operates two (2) surficial aquifer wells that serve the Holiday Pines water treatment plant, and the water use permit from the SFWMD will allow for up to twenty-five (25) future Floridan aquifer wells to supply three (3) to four (4) regional water treatment plants at build out of the unincorporated area. The County has a Wellfield Protection Ordinance in place for the protection of public water supply wells. The ordinance provides for required setbacks from supply wells and regulates land uses to prevent contamination of the water supply. See Map FLU-12 for the Wellfield Protection Zones. Water Quality Water quality ranges from fair in the southeast mainland part of the County to brackish in the northwestern part of the County. The poorer water quality has been associated with the use of the brackish artesian Floridan aquifer for irrigation of citrus. Drilling records indicate that there is also an area of naturally existing saltwater extending from the vicinity of St. Lucie Village to the northern and eastern shores of Lake Okeechobee. The concentration of minerals in the connate water increases with depth to the base of the shallow aquifer and at that point it exceeds the mineral content of the artesian aquifer. The artesian aquifer system is part of an extensive carbonate rock aquifer system that underlies most of Florida. In St. Lucie County, the artesian Floridan aquifer has three distinct producing zones of different hydrologic properties and water quality separated by semi-permeable zones. The upper producing zone of Zone 1 has the best water quality, but it is too brackish for domestic or public water supply without proper treatment (i.e. RO membranes). The water from Zone 1 is suitable for stock watering and some crops, most notably citrus. Most of the artesian wells in the County are developed in Zone 1 of the Floridan aquifer. The water quality in the upper portion of this aquifer in St. Lucie County is fair to poor as potable water, without treatment via a membrane system (such as RO). With proper treatment, the Floridan aquifer water is ideal for potable use. The surficial aquifer is recharged through local area rainfall. In periods of prolonged drought, water supplies can become a concern. There is no natural groundwater recharge to the Floridan aquifer in St. Lucie County. The Floridan aquifer in St. Lucie County is believed to be recharged in the regions of West Central Florida (Polk, Lake and Orange Counties). The quality of water in the surficial aquifer is generally good. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-4 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Needs Assessment The County presently has potable water service provided by three major utilities, several medium sized utilities, small package plants, and domestic wells. This section examines the needs of those areas in the County which are not included in a major or medium- sized utility service area and which have been determined to be potential high growth areas or areas with identified problems. The future land use plan for St. Lucie County identifies several higher density residential and commercial areas. Of the land uses identified, classifications which would be dense enough to require some form of regional or sub-regional public water supply are medium and high density residential, commercial, industrial and mixed use. Much of the area east of I-95 is served by SLCU (the consolidated St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District), FPUA, Martin County (South Hutchinson Island) and Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department (St. Lucie West). The far western area of the County is planned as agricultural. Much of the area just west of Interstate 95 has been acquired by developers. Proposed developments in this area are in various stages of approvals and several may require land use designation changes through the Department of Community Affairs. In anticipation of these areas being developed, SLCU is planning a series of three (3) to four (4) regional WTPs to provide service in the North, Central, and South County Service Areas. Level of Service Analysis The Level of Service and capacity analysis based upon future demand is contained in Section 4 of the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan. The analysis shows sufficient capacity for the short term and long term planning periods. Capital Improvement Projects The CIE provides details of the planned capital improvement projects, the absence of which will impact the ability of the County to provide the required LOS. Table 4A-1 shows the planned capital projects within the planning period. Table 4A-1 Capital Improvement Projects Project # Project Title FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 North County Water 3600-Treatment 3616 Plant $250,000 $13,000,000 $11,750,000 The North County Water Treatment Plant Project will construct a 4 MGD reverse- osmosis (RO) WTP. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-5 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 SOLID WASTE SUBELEMENT Introduction St. Lucie County has been operating its present landfill since 1978. In 1990, the County retained the firm of Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM) to prepare a Solid Waste Management Master Plan and Build-Out Plan of the current Baling and Recycling Facility site. An updated Build-Out Plan was prepared by CDM in August, 2005. This plan along with the August 2007 Baling and Recycling Facility Useful Life Projections (CDM, 2007) was used extensively for the preparation of this subelement. For the purpose of this element, the term solid waste excludes hazardous waste and has been used to include the following classifications which indicate general characteristics of the materials and their sources of generation. Residential wastes are mixed household wastes, including yard trash generated by the general population. Commercial wastes are generated by the commercial and institutional sectors. Physical characteristics of these wastes are similar to those of residential wastes, in that they consist largely of combustible materials in the form of paper and food waste from offices, restaurants, retail establishments, schools, hospitals, motels, and churches. Industrial wastes include wastes generated by industrial processes and manufacturing operations, excluding hazardous wastes. These wastes also include general industrial housekeeping and support activity wastes. Class I waste includes all residential/commercial solid waste. Construction and Debris (C & D) wastes are debris from construction sites. The term landfill refers to the final disposal site of solid wastes and, as it implies, involves the burial of the wastes. Landfills are classified for regulatory purposes according to the characteristics of the wastes they are permitted to receive. Existing Solid Waste Disposal Facilities Currently, solid wastes received by the County are disposed of at the St. Lucie County Baling and Recycling Facility, which is the only solid waste disposal facility currently permitted in the County. The County expects to continue to operate a landfill for the entire County indefinitely since the 1988 Solid Waste Management Act discourages municipalities from operating such facilities. The City of Port St. Lucie has an lnterlocal Agreement which allows them to use the County facility. The County is desirous of establishing with the City of Fort Pierce a similar Interlocal Agreement. The current site, which was purchased with Federal Revenue Sharing Funds in 1977, is located between the Florida Turnpike and lnterstate 95 in Sections 35 and 36, Range 39 East, Township 35 South. In the past, private haulers operated a number of other landfills throughout the County which have since either closed or become non-operational. Baling and Recycling Facility Site The present location of all solid waste disposal in the County is a three hundred and thirty three (333) - acre parcel of land located southwest of the City of Fort Pierce. The primary use of this landfill is as a municipal solid waste disposal (residential and commercial) and recycling facility. To determine the proportional capacity of the Baling St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-6 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 and Recycling Facility that has been allocated to serve the City of Port St. Lucie, City of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village, and the unincorporated areas, the population estimates from the Florida Estimates of Population, March, 2009 (BEBR, 2009) report were used with the level of service standard determined by 8 year average generation rate as 5.10 pounds/capita/day for Class I waste to estimate the amount of waste produced. The level of service provided for C&D debris was 2.80 pounds/capita/day, which was calculated in a similar manner. The Class I landfill area is planned in six phases in addition to other ancillary areas. The Baling and Recycling Facility consists of (Phase I) 28-acre, (Phase II) 28-acres, (Phase III) 25-acres, (Phase IV) 21-acres, (Phase V) 21-acres, (Phase VI) 9.9 - acres of fill area for Class I garbage that is or will be permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under Permit No. 0126814-011-SC dated January 19, 2007. A summary of the acreage dedicated to each of the major land uses is shown in Table 4B-1. Closure has been completed for Phase l, including capping the fill with a polyethylene liner. Phase II and Phase IIIA are currently active and accepting Class I waste. Phase IIIB was constructed in 2007 and is now receiving Class I waste. Table 4B-1 ST LUCIE COUNTY BALING AND RECYCLING FACILITY PLANNED LAND ALLOCATION Planned Use Size Class I Landfill - Phase I 28.0 acres Class I Landfill - Phase II 28.0 acres Class I Landfill - Phase III 25.0 acres Class I Landfill - Phase IV 21.0 acres Class I Landfill- Phase V 21.0 acres Class I Landfill – Phase VI9.9 acres C&D Debris Landfill35.0 acres C&D Debris Processing Facility3.5 acres Stormwater 73.2 acres Baling Facility8.0 acres Maintenance Facility5.0 acres Utilities Facility5.0 acres Leachate Management10.0 acres Roads, Drainage and Buffer Areas60.3 acres Landfill Gas Management0.1 acres Total Proposed Area 333.0 acres Source: CDM, Build-Out Plan, August 2005 Class I Development:. The Phase I fill area was closed in 1987The FDEP permitted finished height was ninety five (95) feet above existing grade in addition to a three (3)- foot access road dike on top of the fill area. Phases II and III are active and currently receiving waste. The useful life the Class I landfill at Baling and Recycling Facility is estimated to be exhausted in year 2047, assuming current operations continue. The remaining capacity of the Class I landfill is shown in Table 4B-2. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-7 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 4B-2 BALING AND RECYCLING FACILITY SITE, CLASS I – BUILD OUT, REMAINING CAPACITY Remaining capacity (in cubic yards) of the Class I Landfill 15,598,190 Number of years of capacity remaining 37 Source: CDM and Calvin Giordano & Associates, 2009 C&D Debris Development: The C&D debris landfill is currently active and receiving waste. The useful life of the C&D debris landfill at the Baling and Recycling Facility site is estimated to be exhausted in year 2024, assuming current operations continue. As of January 2010, an estimated 1,179,103 cubic yards of capacity was filled. The C&D debris landfill is estimated to have a capacity of 2,928,704 cubic yards. Codisposal of C&D debris with Class I waste and/or reallocation of future landfill phases are options currently under investigation for future C&D debris disposal. The remaining capacity of the C&D debris landfill is shown in Tables 4B-3, and 4B-4. Table 4B-3 BALING AND RECYCLING FACILITY C&D DEBRIS REMAINING CAPACITY Capacity added or Year Event subtracted (CY) Capacity Remaining (CY) 2010 Waste Received (102,977) 1,646,624 2011 Waste Received (105,686) 1,540,937 2012 Waste Received (108,396) 1,432,542 2013 Waste Received (111,105) 1,321,437 2014 Waste Received(113,814)1,207,622 2015 Waste Received(116,524)1,091,098 2016Waste Received(119,590)971,508 2017Waste Received(122,657)848,851 2018 Waste Received (125,724) 723,127 2019 Waste Received (128,790) 594,337 2020 Waste Received (131,857) 462,480 2021 Waste Received (134,901) 327,579 2022 Waste Received (137,945) 189,634 2023 Waste Received (140,990) 48,644 2024 Waste Received (144,034) - Table 4B-4 BALING AND RECYCLING FACILITY, BUILD-OUT, C&D REMAINING CAPACITY Remaining capacity (in cubic yards) of the C&D Landfill 1,749,601 Number of years of capacity remaining 14 Source: CDM and Calvin Giordano & Associates, 2009 Needs Assessment St.Lucie County has solid waste disposal facilities to satisfy the needs of the County for the short term planning period. The County will need to assess disposal options in the year 2024. The projected waste tonnages for the Class I and C&D debris landfill is shown in Tables 4B-5 and 4B-6. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-8 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 4B-5 PROJECTED WASTE TONNAGE FOR CLASS I WASTE, 2011-2030, ST. LUCIE COUNTY Class I Tonnage FiscalPopulationIncoming Class Adjusted for Annual Volume (CY) (D) Year(A)I Tonnage (B) Recycling (C) 283,980 2011 279,535273,945 311,478 313,100 2015308,200302,036 343,417 354,300 2020348,755 347,780 388,607 395,200 2025389,015 381,234 433,467 434,100 2030427,306 418,760 476,134 Population: University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Medium (A) Projection Class I tonnage: Based on the population projections in conjunction with per capita (B) generation rates (LOS) of 5.10 lbs/person/day. Equals tonnage reduced by 2 percent to account for recycling of metal and cardboard. (C) 3 Based on an in-place compacted density, including cover material, of 1,944 lbs/yd(5- (D) year average). Source: CDM, Calvin Giordano & Associates, 2009 Table 4-B-6 PROJECTED WASTE TONNAGE FOR C&D DEBRIS, ST. LUCIE COUNTY FiscalIncoming C&D C&D Tonnage Annual Volume Population (A) YearTonnage (B) Landfilled (C) (CY) (D) 283,980 2011 145,213 72,607 105,686 313,100 2015160,104 80,052 116,524 354,300 2020181,171 90,586 131,587 395,200 2025202,086 101,043 147,078 434,100 2030221,977 110,989 161,555 Population: University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Medium (A) Projection Incoming C&D tonnage is estimated based on population and the current C&D debris LOS. (B) Assumes 50 percent of the waste stream will be recycled. (C) 3 Values based on an in-place compacted density, including cover material, of 1,374 lbs/yd(5- (D) year average). Source: CDM, Calvin Giordano & Associates, 2009 Future Waste Stream Reduction The County is exploring Plasma Arc Gasification to reduce the amount of the waste stream that is currently being landfilled and to extend the useful life of the Bailing and Recycling Facility. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-9 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 DRAINAGE AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE Surface water Prior to man's alteration, the areas that presently comprise St. Lucie County had drainage patterns that were controlled by the County's primary topographic feature, the Atlantic Coastal Ridge and the more subtle features such as the Green Ridge (south/central County), the Osceola Plain (southwest County), and Ten-Mile Ridge (north/central County). Overall, the County gently slopes from west to east. Elevations range from about 60 feet, in the western portion, to sea level along the Atlantic coastal beaches, with scattered peaks associated with the above described ridges. The alignment of these surface ridges parallels the existing coastline and serves to impede east/west sheetflow. The St. Johns Marsh, Allapattah Flats, and the Savanna areas are wetlands formed by these natural impediments. The Allapattah Flats area is located in the southwestern portion of the County. This area drains predominantly, to the south/southeast, discharging into the area now occupied by the C-23 Canal. Portions of the St. Johns Marsh drain to the south into what is now the C-25 Canal basin. Water entering the Savannas normally percolated through the Atlantic Coastal Ridge to the Indian River, but during extremely high water stages there could be overflow to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River (NFSLR), through Platts Creek and several small sloughs. These wetland marshes store water and are believed to provide recharge to the shallow aquifer. The remaining central portions of the County serve as the watershed for the upper reaches of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. There are other minor drainage ways where the Atlantic Coastal Ridge has been breached, such as Moore’s Creek in Fort Pierce, but the areas drained are not very large and of no major significance on the overall drainage system for the County. The areas east of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge and along the barrier island are not included within any of the major drainage basins of the County. Stormwater discharge in these areas is essentially direct to the primary receiving body, the Indian River Lagoon or Atlantic Ocean. The stormwater detention time for most of St. Lucie County, prior to man’s alteration, was extremely long. The natural features and drainage ways are still apparent on satellite imagery. However, today, the North Fork of the St. Lucie River still serves as the major, and least altered, natural drainage feature in the County. Manmade drainage systems Major surface drainage modifications to St. Lucie County commenced with the formation of the North St. Lucie River Water Control District (1917) and the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (1919). These Districts were created for the purpose of agricultural drainage and irrigation, with a secondary purpose being flood control activities. During the 1940s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) channelized portions of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River in an effort to improve its water-carrying capacity and to accelerate its speed or discharge into the Atlantic Ocean. During the 1960s, the COE constructed Canals C-23, C-24, and C-25, along with their control structures. With the construction of this Primary Canal system for the South Florida Water Management District, the County was then divided into a series of Sub-Basins. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-10 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The C-25 Basin is located in the northwestern St. Lucie County and extends into parts of Okeechobee and Indian River County. This area is dominated by agricultural uses consisting of either citrus or ranching activities. The canal system in this area was designed to support agricultural activities. Although not the case in St. Lucie County, the western portions of this overall basin do not have any significant flood control protection, which could in times of extreme rainfall have detrimental effects in the downstream areas. With the absence of any significant urban development, local flooding is not presently a major problem in that on-site design requirements meet the current need. However, as elaborated further in this element, there is a need for a countywide review of this community's future drainage management requirements and this review will have to include the portions of this that lie outside of the County. The C-24 Basin is located in the Central and West-Central portions of the County. This basin may further be divided into three subgroups: emerging urban (east one-third), citrus (central one-third) and ranching (west one-third). One of the primary purposes of this basin is to regulate the level of ground water, through the controlling effects of the S- 49 control structure and to prevent the intrusion of saltwater into the local groundwater supplies. When initially constructed, this basin was designed to accommodate the agricultural needs of the area. The emergence of significant urban development may possibly cause a negative downstream impact, affecting the ability to efficiently move the water from the upper reaches of the Basin. The C-23 Basin is located in the south and southwestern portion of the County. This basin serves the agricultural needs of the southwest area. However, a significant portion of the basin is located in Martin County. This area is, at present, used for agricultural purposes, although, its eastern edges face the potential impacts of future urban development. These emerging areas will have to be accommodated for through the development of interlocal agreements between all affected parties addressing the issue of urban discharge. The North Fork of the St. Lucie River Drainage Basin is located in the most populous part of St. Lucie County. This drainage basin includes within it the North St. Lucie River Water Control District, along with portions of the City of Port St. Lucie. As mentioned previously, in the 1940's the main river course was channelized by the Army Corps of Engineers. This channelization was effective in increasing the rate of water removal from the basin, but it also allowed for the increased collection and transmission of silt and other debris, affecting not only the long term carrying capacity of the North Fork itself, but also contributing to the accelerated siltation of the lower reaches of the St. Lucie River. The North Fork basin can be characterized as dominated by urban uses. What agricultural activities remain are in the western reaches of the district. However, it should be noted that although the basin serves an urban environment, the drainage design of this basin is based upon agricultural needs. This area has been the focus of several studies, evaluations and demonstration projects in recent years, attempting to improve upon its overall efficiency. As discussed later in this element, these efforts need to be continued and expanded. The Taylor Creek-Nubbins Slough (C-59 Basin) basin area is located in extreme southwestern St. Lucie County. This basin affects only 9.5 square miles of the County. Activities in this area are ranching with the remaining property being undeveloped/vacant. There is effectively no impact upon the balance of the County by St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-11 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 this basin since its flows are to the west and the Lake Okeechobee area. However, as addressed in the goals, objectives and policies portion of this element, attention to this area is needed on water-quality issues. Except for those efforts in Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, almost all of the surface drainage modifications that have taken place have been designed for agricultural land uses, or approximately a ten-year-24-hour storm event. As these agricultural lands have become more urbanized, the volumes of stormwater have increased and runoff times have decreased, resulting in more frequent periodic local flooding. Because the more urbanized areas of the community are located in the downstream areas of much of the drainage system, the potential for urban area flooding has increased. Groundwater There are two distinct sources of groundwater in St. Lucie County: the shallow unconfined or semiconfined aquifer, and the deep artesian Floridan Aquifer. These aquifer systems are separated by a layer of relatively impermeable green clay known as the Hawthorne Formation, which is about 400 feet thick and starts at approximately 150 to 180 feet below the average land surface. The shallow aquifer system is comprised of one to five feet of fine-grained sands and silts of the Pimlico Sand that overlie the Anastasia Formation. The Anastasia Formation consists of interbedded layers and lenses of sand, shell beds, sandy limestone, and sandstone. Beds and lenses tend to be elongated in a direction that parallels the coast. Most of the permeable zones, which are primarily shell beds, are thin and, as a result, well yields are low to moderate. (USGS, 1972). Water quality is variable in the shallow aquifer due to natural and artificial causes. Water quality ranges from fair in the southeast mainland part of the County to brackish in the northwestern part of the County. The poorer water quality has been associated with the use of the brackish artesian aquifer for irrigation of citrus. However, drilling records and well water analysis indicate that there is also an area of connate saltwater that extends from the vicinity of St. Lucie Village to the northern and eastern shores of Lake Okeechobee. The concentration of minerals in the connate water increases with depth to the base of the shallow aquifer and at that point it exceeds the mineral content of the artesian aquifer. The artesian aquifer system is part of an extensive carbonate rock aquifer system that underlies most of Florida. In St. Lucie County, the artesian Floridian (sic) Aquifer has three distinct producing zones of different hydrologic properties and water quality separated by semipermeable zones. The upper producing zone, or Zone I, has the best water quality, but it is too brackish for domestic or public water supply. The water from Zone I is suitable for stock watering and some crops, most notably citrus. Most of the estimated 1,300 artesian wells in the County are developed in Zone I of the Floridan Aquifer. There is no natural groundwater recharge to the Floridan Aquifer in St. Lucie County. Producing zones, water quality, and other technical data are more extensively described in the SFWMD Technical Map Series 70-1. (SFWMD, 1979) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-12 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Agricultural drainage projects between the urbanized coastal areas and Canals C-23 and C-24 have impacted the major sources of groundwater recharge to the shallow aquifer and lowered the water table. Areas such as the St. Johns Marsh and the Allapattah Flats, which previously stored a large amount of water above the land surface to provide the hydraulic gradient needed to recharge the slightly permeable surficial aquifer have been drained for agricultural purposes. The Allapattah Flats west of the SFWMD canals and the remaining portions of the St. Johns Marsh still provide some degree of recharge, but the major sources for St. Lucie County are the St. Johns Marsh in Indian River County and the Orlando Ridge extension of the Osceola Plain (a marine terrace) in southwestern St. Lucie County and eastern Okeechobee County. The impacts of the construction of the canal drainage system on the groundwater contour levels in the County are illustrated. From inspection of these diagrams it can be seen that the groundwater flow from the western half of the County is effectively being intercepted by these major canals. This interception is then depriving the wellfields in the central and eastern regions of the County from a source of replenishment. As a result, recharge areas will need to be located and protected near the centers of the drainage basins to optimize their effects. The distance between water-level contours, when matched with the hydraulic gradient of topographic relief, indicates the relatively permeability of the surficial aquifer: the greater the distance between contours, the higher the permeability. This is exemplified in the area bounded by SFWMD C-23 and C-24 canals, where the land surface has little relief and the water level contours are miles apart. Many secondary drainage systems have been constructed for agricultural drainage. However, most of these secondary systems are shallow and are designed to prevent ponding. This impacts the groundwater recharge. Because of the lack of recharge and the low permeability of the soils, the shallow aquifer provides insufficient water for irrigation during the extended dry season. SFWMD Canals C-23, C-24 and C-25 serve as linear storage reservoirs and provide irrigation supply for many areas although, in extreme periods of drought, they too may only be used in a minimal capacity due to the lack of surface water. To compensate for this, many agricultural operations will use the Floridan Aquifer for much of their irrigation demand. The problem associated with the use of this aquifer area is irrigation return (excess) flows from the Floridan Aquifer water are mineralized. These flows in turn mineralize the receiving canals. Natural Groundwater Recharge Currently, there are no defined aquifer recharge areas in the County. The South Florida Water Management District through the Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan, is attempting to identify the aquifer recharge areas in the County, in addition to identifying the areas where existing problems are occurring and area that may have future problems. The County will continue to monitor the Water Management District as they work to define these areas. Additionally, the Floridan Aquifer is not recharged within St. Lucie County, but rather primary recharge of that aquifer occurs in the more central portions of the State. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-13 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Local Drainage Issues On the average, St. Lucie County receives about 53 inches of rain per year primarily during the period from June to October. It is recognized that from time to time, portions of the County will experience flooding problems as a result of heavy rainfall. Much of the local flooding that occurs can be attributed to development carried out before the advent of contemporary stormwater management practices. Most of the drainage problem areas are located in the North Fork Drainage Basin. However, there are documented problems in other parts of the County as well. St. Lucie County has continued to work on drainage improvement projects that are designed to provide relief to small areas of the community. These improvements are not intended to be a comprehensive cure for the problem because they are limited in the areas they impact. The improvements are not system-wide and as such will have little wide-ranging impact. However, if successful, they should provide a degree of intermediate relief of limited scope and duration to the afflicted area. Drainage Improvements Ten Mile Creek Regional Attenuation Facility The Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area attenuates summer stormwater flows into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Estuary which originate in the Ten Mile Creek basin by capturing and storing the passing stormwater. The sedimentation of suspended solids that occurs in the storage reservoir reduces sediment loads delivered to the estuary. In addition, the captured stormwater is passed through a polishing cell for additional water quality treatment before being released into the North Fork. Stored water can be released in the drier winter months to augment current insufficient flows. Stabilizing the salinity concentration will greatly enhance the Estuary's ability to support sea grasses, oysters, and nursery grounds for marine fish. Ten Mile Creek is the largest sub-basin delivering water to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Estuary, which has been established as an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW). The St. Lucie Estuary discharges into the Indian River Lagoon, which is also an OFW. The Indian River Lagoon is the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. The entire Lagoon is endangered from increased runoff from watershed drainage enhancements. Excess stormwater due to drainage improvements is causing radical fluctuations of the salinity concentration in the St. Lucie Estuary. Storage of excess water will allow its measured release, and hence a more natural salinity regime. This project is a critical restoration project, which was authorized by Congress under the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. The project was implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the South Florida Water Management District acting as the local project sponsor. St. Lucie County is contributing local matching funds and assisting with coordination of local issues and permitting. The reservoir is located immediately west of the Gordy Road spillway on the south side of the Ten Mile Creek. The site is just west of the Florida Turnpike, about one-half mile south of Okeechobee Road (State Road 70). The footprint of the reservoir is approximately 550 acres in size, with the remaining acreage of approximately 190 acres being utilized as a polishing cell. Based upon existing topography, stored water depths average ten feet. Total storage capacity is approximately 5,000 acre-feet. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-14 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Central and Southern Florida "Restudy" The Central and Southern Florida Comprehensive Review Study ("Restudy") complete in 1999 is an ambitious Federal/State undertaking to restore and preserve South Florida's natural ecosystems while enhancing water supplies and flood control. The Restudy Comprehensive Plan was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District in collaboration with more than 30 other agencies. Under the Restudy Plan, $7.8 billion worth of construction and other implementation costs will be shared equally by the Federal government and the citizens of Florida over more than 20 years. An additional $172 million per year will be required to operate and maintain the project once fully underway. Specific funding mechanisms still must be identified, with a variety being considered. The Restudy involves a review of the region's water management system known as the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project. Issues to be addressed include: flood control, water supply, water management, saltwater intrusion and ecosystem restoration. The original C&SF project is 50 years old and needs to be modernized. This huge, manmade system has had unintended effects on the natural environment, including the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, the coastal estuaries and Florida Bay. While still in the planning stages, the Restudy may involve many new components, including: reservoirs to store water (Ten Mile Creek Project), underground barriers to slow seepage, facilities to inject fresh water underground for retrieval later, reuse of treated wastewater, removal or modification of selected canals and maintaining water levels to prevent saltwater intrusion. The C&SF Project encompasses approximately 18,000 square miles from Orlando to the Florida Keys. Major features include: the Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades Agricultural Area, the Water Conservation Areas, Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers and Biscayne and Florida Bays. The Restudy will improve our natural systems ranging from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. The St. Lucie Estuary will benefit from fewer regulatory releases, which send too much fresh water to tide during heavy rains and will receive needed water during drier times. Both efforts will help protect the estuary's delicate salt and fresh water balance. Stabilizing the salinity concentration will greatly enhance the estuary's ability to support sea grasses, oysters, and nursery grounds for marine fish. Additionally, large water reservoirs are planned in the C-23, C-24, C-25 C-24, North and South Fork Drainage Basins. Projects similar to the Ten Mile Creek Regional Attenuation Facility will be planned for all of the large drainage basins. Results of the Restudy resulted in the IRL-South Plan detailed in the Conservation Element. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-15 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan The Upper East Coast (UEC) Water Supply Plan (WSP) was completed by the South Florida Water Management District and accepted by the Board of County Commissioners in February 1998. The Upper East Coast Plan includes Martin, St. Lucie, and a small portion of Okeechobee County. The District updated the UEC WSP in 2004. In 2006 the District issued the 2006 UEC Plan Amendment. The purpose of the Plan is to provide a framework for future water use decisions to provide adequate water supply for urban areas, agriculture, and the environment through year 2025. The purpose of the 2006 Plan Amendment is to provide local governments with information concerning revisions to state laws relevant to water supply planning and the potable water provisions contained with each local government’s comprehensive plan. The plan estimates the future water supply needs of urban areas and agriculture, weighs those demands against historically used water sources, and identifies areas where demands cannot be met without harming the resource and environment, including wetlands. The plan evaluates the potential of several alternative water source options to meet any unmet demand and makes recommendations for their development. The planning document is the product of a public process. The District held a series of public workshops during the plan development process. The process weighed urban, agricultural and environmental water demands against supplies. The Plan developed the following regional objectives to ensure that the Water Supply Plan would address the specific needs of the Upper East Coast: Water Supply: 1.Identify sufficient sources of water to meet projected 2025 water demands during a 1-in-10 year drought event, without causing harm to natural resources. Conservation and Alternative Source Development: 2.Increase levels of conservation to increase the efficiency of water use; and, increase the use of alternatives sources to reduce dependency on drought susceptible water sources. Floridan Aquifer: 3.Encourage development of the Floridan Aquifer as an option to sources that depend on local rainfall for recharge. Establish a monitoring program to collect data to better understand the relationship between water use, water levels and water quality. Estuarine and Riverine Systems: 4.Protect and enhance the Loxahatchee River, the St. Lucie River and Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon through effective water deliveries and management of the water resources. Water Resource Protection: 5.Protect wetland systems and the water resources from harm due to water use, including drawdowns and harmful movement of saline water. Compatibility with Local Governments: 6.Coordinate the UEC Water Supply Plan with the water supply related elements of local government. Other Regional Planning Efforts: 7.Achieve compatibility with other related regional water resource planning efforts. These include the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-16 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), CERP IRL – South Project, CERP North Palm Beach County Project Part 1, Lake Okeechobee SWIM Plan, Lower East Coast and Kissimmee Basin Water Supply Plans, IRL National Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Districtwide Water Supply Assessment and Northern Palm Beach County Comprehensive Water Management Plan (source 2004 UEC WSP). The 2004 Update identified eight water source options to address the needs of the Upper East Coast region, including: 1. Surface Water. 2. Aquifer Storage and Recovery. 3. Floridan Aquifer System. 4. Surficial Aquifer System. 5. Conservation. 6. Reclaimed Water. 7. Reservoirs. 8. Seawater. Specific goals or strategies were identified for each of the eight options to be implemented as part of the implementation of the UEC Water Supply Plan. Responsible agencies to carry out the goals were identified, along with probable sources of funding. The 2004 UEC Water Supply Plan contains three volumes in total, including: The Planning Document, dated June, 2004; The Consolidated Water Supply Support Document, dated August 2005; and The Appendices Document, dated June 2004. The 2006 Plan Amendment contains three volumes in total, including the 2006 Plan Amendment, the 2006 Appendices, and the 2006 Consolidated Water Supply Plan Support Document 2005-2006. More detailed information concerning the Plan and planning process can be obtained within the referenced documents. Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Plan In July 1996, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan (CCMP). The Plan was published in May of 1996 by the members of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (NEP) Management Conference, in cooperation with SJRWMD, SFWMD, and the U.S. EPA. With the publication of the Plan (IRLCCP) more than 100 agencies and local governments with management responsibilities for the Lagoon agreed on a unified strategy to preserve and restore the Lagoon. The Plan was formally adopted by the governor and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Plan contains more than 69 recommended actions addressing critical problems such as the preservation of wetlands, sea grass restoration, endangered species protection, water and sediment quality improvement, land acquisition needs, and the means of funding preservation and restoration activities. All of these actions have the express purpose of protecting the integrity, diversity and productivity of the Indian River Lagoon. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-17 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 According to the Indian River Lagoon (CCMP) Plan, "Freshwater and stormwater discharges represent the largest nonpoint source of pollution to the Indian River Lagoon." Over the years, these discharges have resulted in muck (or "ooze") deposits and sedimentation in the Lagoon and its tributaries. This deposition and sedimentation has caused the loss of seagrass beds with resulting impacts to fisheries and shellfish populations. On occasions, increased loadings of nutrients from freshwater discharges have caused algae blooms and resulted in fish kills. The formation of a Stormwater Management Program by St. Lucie County is an important first step in implementing the goals of the IRLCCMP Plan. This local government program forms the basis for funding and implementing improvements to our County stormwater management system. Capital Improvement Projects The CIE provides details of the planned drainage projects, the absence of which will impact the ability of the drainage systems to provide the required LOS. Stormwater Management Master Plan In 1992, a Stormwater Management Master Plan was completed and adopted for the unincorporated areas of the County. The Master Plan addressed the needs of the major canals of the primary and secondary stormwater management system. The canals, which were analyzed, are owned and operated by either North St. Lucie River Water Control District (NSLRWCD), Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (FPFWCD), or South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The Master Plan concluded that generally the secondary stormwater management system serves the County well for the ten-year, 24-hour storm event. The Master Plan recommended that the County continue to use the ten-year, 24-hour storm event (approximately 6.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period) as the Level of Service standard for flood protection for roadways. This Level of Service standard is incorporated in the County's Land Development Code. The Master Plan recommended several capital improvement projects for the secondary stormwater management system, including: mechanically operated gates, electrically operated gates, upsizing and lowering selected culvert pipes, and installing fixed-crest weirs at selected locations to improve water quality of stormwater discharge from the secondary drainage canals into the St. Lucie River. All of the improvements recommended by the plan fall within the secondary canals owned by the North St. Lucie River Water Control District or the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District. Many of these recommendations have already been implemented. The Master Plan confirmed, "Flooding is far more prevalent in the secondary and local network systems that drain into the primary drainage canal system. A few examples include, but are not limited to: the Carlton Road area, portions of White City, Sunland Gardens, Paradise Park, and large agricultural ownerships in the western portion of the County. Although the primary drainage system could accommodate stormwater from these areas, the secondary or local network systems have not been improved (or do not exist) to transport the runoff from these troubled areas to the primary canal system." The St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-18 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Plan recognizes that "throughout unincorporated St. Lucie County, many isolated areas have little or no real drainage improvements and no access to a primary or secondary drainage system." Much of this was created when land was subdivided without proper planning of drainage and drainage outfalls. Other problem areas lie within the floodplain of natural creeks or streams. Many of the existing secondary and local network drainage systems in the County were constructed many years ago, prior to permitting requirements for water quality treatment of stormwater discharges. Consequently, there were no provisions made for treatment of stormwater for water quality improvement prior to discharge to the primary canal system. The 1992 Master Plan document and the County staff have compiled a listing of problem areas that are known to be flood prone historically. More details are available in the Master Plan document. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) The Conservation Element provides details on CERP programs including the IRL South Plan. The CERP IRL projects will provide benefits to the primary drainage system and water quality. The County’s Capital Improvements projects will provide benefits to the secondary and local drainage systems. Levels of Service The Level of Service standard as defined by the 1992 Stormwater Master Plan is outlined in Table 4-C-1. Drainage rules in the Land Development Code are tied to the rules of the SFWMD. TABLE 4-C-1 Stormwater Master Plan--Level of Service Standards Structure/Facility 10 yr., 24 hr. 10 yr., 72 hr. 100 yr., 72 hr. 1 Houses/Building <FFE <FFE <FFE 23 Evacuation Routes 1/2W <0.5 ft. <1.0 ft. 4 Arterial Roads 1/2W <0.5 ft. <1.0 ft. 5 Other Roads <0.5 ft. <0.75 ft. <1.5 ft. 1. Peak flood stages less than first (finished) floor elevation based on available data. 2. Evacuation routes as defined by the County and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. 3. Flooding limited to each side of the road such that one-half of the roadway width (W) or one travel lane is not flooded. 4. Roads with four or more travel lanes, or roads that are only access to a respective area/development (secondary evacuation routes). 5. Other roads which are not critical for evacuation, but which will be used to estimate encroachment on FFEs. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-19 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 SANITARY SEWER SUB ELEMENT Introduction The Sanitary Sewer Sub-element provides a complete summary of the wastewater treatment facilities in St. Lucie County. Sanitary sewer services are provided in only a small portion of the unincorporated County. Central utility services are provided by the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA), the Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department, St. Lucie County Utilities, or St. Lucie West Utility District. Generally, St. Lucie County Utilities provides sanitary sewer service to those properties located on North and South Hutchinson Island and within the Holiday Pines neighborhood on the mainland. The County also owns and operates a small wastewater treatment facility in the Lakewood Park subdivision. Those multi-family residential developments and Planned Unit Developments in the unincorporated County that are not serviced by St. Lucie County Utilities are serviced by their own on-site wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Most of the single-family home sites in the unincorporated County are served with individual septic tanks. The importance of the municipal regional systems and on-site treatment facilities is noted. Existing Planning Documents St. Lucie County completed the Water and Wastewater Master Plan in October of 2008 and the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan in December of 2008 which will serve as the overall planning documents for potable water facilities. The two (2) major urban areas of the County, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, have regionalized potable water treatment and distribution systems. St. Lucie County Utilities (SLCU) is currently developing a regional wastewater treatment and collection system to serve unincorporated areas of the County within the urban service boundary. The City of Fort Pierce completed a master plan update for water and wastewater in September 2006. Geographic Service Area Figure 2-1 in the Water Supply Facilities Work Planoutlines general areas of sanitary sewer service for the major regional facilities now operating in the County. The regional facilities servicing unincorporated St. Lucie County are: St. Lucie County Utilities (SLCU) Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) These facilities are described below. Other sub-regional franchises also operate in the County, but their area is usually limited to a single development or a relatively small area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-20 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Regional Facilities St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District (formerly known as Holiday Pines Service Corporation): The service area of the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District water and wastewater utilities lies within the St. Lucie County Utilities (SLCU) mainland north county service area. The St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District service area includes the Holiday Pines subdivision and some additional commercial and residential areas fronting Kings Highway and Indrio Road. In August 2005, the North Hutchinson Island Utility District, the Airport Utility District, the North County (Holiday Pines) Utility District, the Mid County District, the Indian River Estates MSBU District and the H.E.W. Utility District were consolidated into a single utility district now known as the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District. As such, the below mentioned North Hutchinson Island Utility District service area is now included in this District. The St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District (Holiday Pines) WWTP is a field-erected, precast package plant with a design capacity of 0.3 MGD. The WWTP is located on a 9.8-acre utility site near the Indian Pines Golf Course. Seven (7) percolation ponds are utilized for effluent disposal. Concentrate from the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District water treatment plant is also discharged into these ponds. Sludge from the facility is lime stabilized and hauled to land application sites. There are no plans to expand the Holiday Pines WWTP. Upon completion of the North County Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), the Holiday Pines WWTP will be decommissioned and replaced with a master lift station to redirect flow to the new facility. North Hutchinson Island: The North Hutchinson Island Utility District was consolidated into the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District in August 2005. St. Lucie County Utilities owns and operates the North Hutchinson Island wastewater collection system and a 0.5 MGD WWTP. The County is currently planning the expansion of the facility to increase the capacity to 0.8 MGD. This plant produces reclaimed water that is made available to nearly all of the larger developed parcels on the island. The upgraded WWTP was placed into service in January 1996. This facility was permitted through the FDEP for 0.50 MGD of treatment capacity. This upgraded WWTP replaced two (2) smaller sub-regional package treatment plants, one at the Bryn Mawr utility site and one at the Sands utility site, in addition to a number of individual WWTPs that served individual residential developments. South Hutchinson Island: In 1996/1997, the South Hutchinson Island wastewater collection and treatment system was constructed by St. Lucie County to provide central sewer service for the portion of South Hutchinson Island located outside of the City of Fort Pierce. Just as with the North Hutchinson Island service area, this system was intended to eliminate all of the numerous individual wastewater package treatment plants that had been constructed in the absence of a centralized treatment network. Many of these existing WWTPs and all existing lift stations were upgraded or replaced to meet St. Lucie County Utility standards and a force main system was constructed to connect these lift stations to the new WWTP. The WWTP was designed to accommodate build out flows for South Hutchinson Island (based on a build out St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-21 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 population of 15,150 residents. The primary method of effluent disposal is reclaimed water irrigation, with backup disposal provided by discharge to the FPL Nuclear Power Plant ocean discharge canal. This WWTP was permitted for 1.6 MGD and utilizes a conventional plug flow, extended aeration, activated sludge process followed by filtration and high-level disinfection to produce reclaimed water for irrigation. The plant is located on a 19.2 acre, county- owned site approximately two (2) miles south of the FPL Nuclear Power Plant on the west side of A-1-A. Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA): According to the September 2006 FPUA Water and Wastewater Master Plan, FPUA operates the Island Water Reclamation Facility with a permitted capacity of twelve (12) MGD (max month average daily flow) on the barrier island. This facility provides service to approximately 49,029 residents throughout their service area and treats an average of 5.62 MGD, less than half of the permitted capacity. FPUA produces reclaimed water which is almost exclusively provided to the Florida Municipal Power Agency for use in cooling towers at the Treasure Coast Energy Center. The Island Water Reclamation Facility also utilizes approximately 300,000 gpd of reclaimed water for wash down and irrigation purposes. FPUA is in the planning process for the construction of a mainland water reclamation facility located in the proximity of the County’s landfill. Reclaimed water from the proposed facility may be allocated to the proposed Plasma Arc Gasification Facility planned at the landfill. The FPUA, via a bulk user agreement with the County, has extended its wastewater service beyond the boundaries of the City of Fort Pierce, and presently serves areas in unincorporated St. Lucie County including the Central Service Area through bulk service. Privately Owned Utilities with Capacities Greater Than 0.1 MGD Located Within the Unincorporated Area Panther Woods: Panther Woods owns and operates an on-site WWTP with a permitted capacity of 0.18 MGD, but is limited to 0.105 MGD due to the size of the existing chlorine contact basins. The facility serves a current population of approximately 1,040 residents. Treated effluent is supplemented with well water and used to irrigate the 120- acre Panther Woods Golf Course. Spanish Lakes Country Club: Spanish Lakes Country Club is an adult mobile home community with approximately 1,300 mobile home lots. The community is built out and is home to 3,040 residents. The WWTP serving the Spanish Lakes Country Club is a field-erected, precast concrete package plant with a permitted capacity of 0.160 MGD. Average daily flow is 0.121 MGD. This plant utilizes the extended aeration process to produce a secondary effluent. Effluent disposal facilities include a one-cell percolation pond and a three-cell drainfield. Sludge from this facility is lime stabilized on-site and hauled to land application sites. The WWTP is adequately sized for the development it serves, but is has no excess capacity. There is minimal area available for expansion on the WWTP site. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-22 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Spanish Lakes Fairways: Spanish Lakes Fairways is a 1,600 unit (3,200 residents) adult community located in the northwest portion of the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District service area. The Spanish Lakes Fairways WWTP is a field-erected, precast concrete package plant with a permitted capacity of 0.250 MGD. Average daily plant flow is 0.116 MGD. The plant utilizes the extended aeration process to produce reclaimed water that meets FDEP standards for public access irrigation. The plant consists of two (2) separate treatment trains which include: two (2) 0.127 mg aeration basins with mechanical surface aerators, two (2) rectangular clarifiers, two (2) sand filters, two (2) 0.025 mg digesters and a baffled chlorine contact tank. The primary means of effluent disposal is irrigation on the development’s private golf course. A lined pond is provided adjacent to the WWTP for reclaimed water storage. Backup effluent disposal capacity is provided by three (3) percolation ponds at the WWTP site. Sludge from the facility is lime stabilized on-site and hauled to land application sites. The WWTP is designed to accommodate the community to build out. The maximum flow is 0.142 MGD, or approximately fifty-six (56) percent of the plant’s permitted capacity. The excess capacity will be utilized to serve additional phases of the development. There is limited area available for expansion of the wastewater treatment plan. Package Treatment Plants There are numerous package treatment plants within the County that make up a significant portion of the wastewater treatment capacity in the County. Many of these package plants are concentrated in the White City and Indrio Road areas. Some of these plants have experienced difficulties in effluent disposal, where disposal systems have failed. The majority of the package plants within the County are under consent order and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has urged each facility (through their permit renewal process) to seek connection to a central sewer system where available and feasible. As such, these facilities are slowly being connected to the public sewer systems available within the County. Septic Tanks Septic tank systems are used principally for the treatment of wastewater from individual residences. In rural areas they are also used for establishments such as schools, motels, rural hotels, trailer parks, housing projects, camps and others. It is impossible to determine the current number of septic tanks in the County since, prior to 1984, the rules and regulations were different and some septic tanks were installed without permits. With the expansion and availability of public utility in the Port St Lucie area, the concentration of septic system use is being decreased by attrition as systems reach the end of their useful life and connection to sewer is mandated by Statute and city policy. Effluent from septic tanks is normally discharged to a drainfield where it is allowed to percolate into the ground. Soil permeability and depth to the wet season water table are limiting factors on septic tank drainfield performance and may require construction of elevated drainage field grounds to ensure adequate performance. Figures FLU 3a and FLU 3b indicate the general soil types present in St. Lucie County as identified in the Soil Survey of St. Lucie County (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1980). As this figure indicates, virtually all soils within the County (98.4 percent), excluding a small area located on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge west of the Intracoastal Waterway, have moderate St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-23 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 or severe limitations for septic tank drainage fields. Due to the unsuitability of the soil, the St. Lucie County Health Department, which permits all septic tank system installations in the County, requires 95 percent excavation of the drainfield area and backfilling with acceptable material. Needs Assessment The unincorporated County presently has wastewater service provided by three (3) major municipal utilities (FPUA, Port St. Lucie Utilities and SLCU), several medium sized utilities (St. Lucie West and private utilities), small package plants, and septic tanks. This section examines the needs of those areas in the County which are not included in the major or medium sized utilities or in the service areas now identified by those wastewater utilities. The area of growth in the unincorporated County directly corresponds to the urban service areas for water and sewer service. The area west of this growth area of the County is planned as agricultural. The most intense development in these areas is expected to occur along the I-95 corridor with concentrations at the Gatlin Boulevard I-95 Intersection, mid-County, and the north County area. Other areas of the unincorporated County exhibiting needs include the Savannah Club area extending north past Tilton Road to Easy Street. With a few exceptions, all of the package plants were designed to serve a small community, condominium, or commercial area. These plants are designed with a specific capacity in mind, determined by the proposed size of the development and the standards set by the FDEP for flow per unit. Therefore, these developments neither have appreciable excess capacity, nor do they exhibit appreciable needs beyond their initial design capacity. FDEP has urged each of the remaining facilities to seek connection to a central sewer system where available and feasible. Because these smaller plants require daily attention, tend to wear out with time, and occupy increasingly valuable land, many are candidates for connection to a regional system within the next 20 years. With areas of proliferation of the small plants a County supported regional system would be a viable improvement in the future. Level of Service Analysis The St. Lucie County utilities service area is separated into several sub-service area: North Hutchinson Island Service Area from the Fort Pierce Inlet north to the Indian River County Line on the barrier island; South Hutchinson Island Service Area from the Martin County Line north to the Fort Pierce City Limits on the barrier island; the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District from the Indian River Lagoon to the east, the Indian River County Line to the north, Interstate 95 to the west and St. Lucie Boulevard to the south; and the unincorporated County service areas (north, central and south) as illustrated on Figure 2-1 of the Water Supply Facilities Work Plan. The service areas for FPUA and the City of Port St. Lucie are also depicted on the same Figure. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-24 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 A level of service for wastewater facilities has been defined by the FDEP at 100 gallons per day per capita (gpcd) of capacity. This makes some allowance for infiltration. Treatment facilities should be planning for expansion when they reach 80 percent of their flow capacity, and under construction at 90 percent of their flow capacity. The level of service standard for sanitary sewer systems other than those owned and operated by FPUA shall be 100 gpcd. The LOS standard for those areas of the unincorporated County served by FPUA shall be 110 gpcd (FPUA Master Plan, September 2006). The population projections for each of the service areas indicates that as St. Lucie County grows there will be a need for additional service capacity within the existing wastewater service facilities. Table 4D-1 provides the projected population within the Service Areas for the years 2011, 2015, 20120, 2025 and 2030. As this table indicates a significant portion of the County’s overall population resides in an area located outside the service area of the St. Lucie County Utilities. Those areas lying outside of the County’s service area will be provided wastewater service via the following methods: one (1) of the other two (2) public utility providers - FPUA or City of Port St. Lucie Utilities; an on-site package wastewater treatment plant or via an on-site septic system. Table 4D-1 St. Lucie County Utilities Service Area - Connected Population Projections, 2011-2030 Year 20112015202020252030 Total County Population283,980313,100354,300395,200434,100 Service Area North County Service Area 4,836 10,292 15,472 19,441 23,212 Central County Service Area - 3,819 10,508 12,766 14,821 South County Service Area - -4,3389,83411,647 1 North Hutchinson Island 6,5257,0137,8758,8299,661 1 Connected population refers to Equivalent Residential Connections (ERC) connected to North Hutchinson Island wastewater system and assumes 2.2 people per ERC. Table 4D-2 1 Estimated Connected Wastewater Flows (MGD) Service Area 2011 2015 2020 2025 2030 North County Service Area 0.484 1.029 1.547 1.944 2.321 Central County Service Area 0.000 0.382 1.051 1.277 1.482 South County Service Area 0.000 0.000 0.434 0.983 1.165 North Hutchinson Island 0.653 0.701 0.788 0.883 0.966 1 Wastewater Demand based on Population projections and an assumed per capita flow of 100 gpd/person Table 4D-2 shows the connected wastewater flows, which were Wastewater flow will increase as the population increases within the service delivery area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-25 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Capacity Assessment Many of the WWTPs in St. Lucie County are small package plants intended to serve individual communities, businesses, and condominiums. This type of facility has no significance in a capacity assessment, since it is not large enough to provide service to an expanded service area. The following particular observances are made: The FPUA is capable of receiving flow from their expanded service area. The South Hutchinson Island WWTP is capable of handling flows at the projected build out conditions (district south of the FPL nuclear power plant). Panther Woods Country Club is underutilized, but is designed to serve a specific development at build out. Although continued development has not been significant, future use of this plant as additional development does take place is likely. Reserve Utility Corporation is adequate for present needs, and is planning to expand as development takes place inside The Reserve. St. Lucie West is capable of handling growth in its service area and planned to grow with the development. Spanish Lakes Country Club Village is built out. Spanish Lakes MHP is built out. Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department has adequate capacity for incoming flows and for growth. The above analysis indicates in general a capacity for growth in the municipal service areas, newer planned developments in the unincorporated County (e.g., The Reserve), and some of the Hutchinson Island communities. Growth in all of the other unincorporated areas of the County will require additional wastewater transport and treatment facilities. Northern Service Area: The current Holiday Pines facility is an extended aeration concrete package plant with a permitted capacity of 0.3 MGD. Effluent is disposed through two (2) groups of percolation ponds. The first group is comprised of three (3) ponds with a total of area of 95,900 square feet. The second group is comprised of four (4) ponds with a total area of 70,600 square feet. The combined ponds are also permitted to dispose up to 0.120 MGD of Reverse Osmosis brine from the Holiday Pines Water Treatment Plant. It is anticipated that the ponds will provide adequate effluent disposal capacity up to the permitted 0.3 MGD capacity of the existing facility. Current wastewater flows at the Holiday Pines Wastewater Treatment Facility are nearing capacity. In order to accommodate the population growth needs and wastewater demands into the year 2030 and anticipated growth in the North County area, the following wastewater facility needs and improvements were identified: Decommissioning of the Holiday Pines WWTP upon completion of the new regional facility. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-26 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Construct and operate, by 2014, a new North County Regional Water Reclamation Facility to be located south of Indrio Road and east of Taylor Dairy Road. This facility shall at construction contain: a) Initial capacity of 2 MGD by 2014. b) Increase capacity to 4 MGD by 2017, with provisions to expand to 6 MGD as needed. c) Provide equipment capable of treating the wastewater product to unrestricted public access irrigation. d) Potentially construct a deep injection well for wet weather disposal of reclaimed water, or implementation of identified alternative beneficial reuse project for disposal of reclaimed water. e) Construct a bio-solids dewatering facility at the North County Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). Provide service to the existing and future developments within the St. Lucie County Water and Sewer District Service Area. Central Service Area: The County will be constructing an interconnect to FPUA to provide service to this area. FPUA has sufficient capacity for the connection during the planning period. The future capacity needs will either be addressed by a future FPUA mainland WWTP or a SLCU WWTP. South Service Area: The St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Department owns and operates a wastewater collection and treatment system serving the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds and the County’s Emergency Operations Center. The facility has a capacity of 0.0314 MGD. Per the 2008 Water and Sewer Master Plan, the County is planning to construct a Southern Regional WWTP at the end of the planning period to supply the required capacity. North Hutchinson Island: SLCU owns and operates a wastewater collection and treatment system that serves the majority of North Hutchinson Island (with the exception of approximately 383 single-family homes and the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. The County is currently planning the expansion of the facility to increase capacity from 0.5 MGD to 0.8 MGD. The projected connected wastewater flow approaches the design capacity of the existing North Hutchinson Island WWTP around 2020. In order to maintain sufficient wastewater capacity at the North Hutchinson Island WWTP to maintain quality service at the build out of North Hutchinson Island, the County will have to consider additional expansions of the facility to meet future demand. South Hutchinson Island: South Hutchinson Island is serviced by St. Lucie County Utilities. The South Hutchinson Island District Wastewater Utility was created under Resolution 07-208. In 1995, St. Lucie County constructed a 1.6 MGD wastewater and reclaimed water facility. This facility is designed to accommodate build out of South Hutchinson Island. The County maintains a bank of capacity that can be transferred to properties within the service area to accommodate development. The County has adopted a policy to transfer capacity through the County Utility Office. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-27 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Currently over ninety (90) percent of the total wastewater flow from the South Hutchinson Island District Wastewater Utility service area is collected and treated. The only area not currently connected to the system includes five condominiums in the Island Dunes Complex. This condominium complex is serviced by a private WWTP that produces reclaimed water for irrigation of the golf course. As the overall system on South Hutchinson Island was designed to accommodate the maximum build out within the County’s service area on the island, no additional expansions are required or planned within the twenty (20) - year planning cycle. FPUA serves all wastewater customers on South Hutchinson Island within their service area. SLCU serves the Island from FPUA’s service boundary south to the Martin County line. Sanitary Sewer Facility Replacement, Expansion and New Facility Siting: Because of the importance that the provision of sanitary sewer service will play in the development of the County and also significant pressures for the County to enter into the provision of such services, St. Lucie County Utilities adopted a Water and Wastewater Master Plan for the unincorporated County in 1992. The Master Plan was updated in August, 2000, February 2004, and October, 2008. The 2008 Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update is used in conjunction with the Comprehensive Plan as a planning tool. These plans address the need for renewal, replacement, facility expansions and siting of new and proposed facilities. Capital Improvement Projects The CIE provides details of the planned capital improvement projects, the absence of which will impact the ability of the County to provide the required LOS. Table 4D-3 shows the planned capital projects within the planning period. Table 4D-3 Capital Improvement Projects Project # Project Title FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 North County 3600-3615 Wastewater Plant $15,500,000 $13,000,000 North Hutchinson Island Wastewater 3602-3636 Plant Expansion $475,920 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 The North County Wastewater Plant will replace the Holiday Pines Water Treatment Plant and provide a capacity of 2 MGD. The North Hutchison Island Wastewater Plant Expansion will increase capacity from 0.5 to 0.8 MGD. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-28 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES POTABLE WATER SUBELEMENT GOAL 4A.1: Provide needed public utilities in a manner that results in the most effective, environmentally sound, safe and economic potable water systems consistent with present demand and future growth requirements and that promotes orderly, compact urban growth. Objective 4A.1.1: The County shall provide potable water facilities that do not promote urban sprawl. Policy 4A.1.1.1: The utility service areas, as delineated in the Water and Wastewater Master Plan, will be determined on the basis of economy and efficient operation but will not promote linear or leapfrog development. The utility service areas shall be reviewed and updated every 5 years (beginning 2013) and shall not include those areas already being served by Fort Pierce Utility Authority or Port St. Lucie Utilities. Policy 4A.1.1.1b2: The County Utility District will determine the most cost effective and efficient means of providing potable water services to all areas of the urban service area as depicted in Policy 1.1.5.1 in a manner that will not promote linear or leapfrog development consistent with Policy 1.1.5.2. The Countyutility departmentwill publish on an annual basis a Service Availability Report setting forth the availability of potable water service from the various suppliers of such service to the unincorporated areas of the County that meets the requirements of Goal 6D.1 and this Policy. The County Utility District will determine the most cost effective and efficient means of providing potable water services for all development approved by the County Commission within the unincorporated areas of the County outside the urban service area which approval is subject to the provision of central water service within such development. Policy 4A.1.1.3: In order to prevent sprawl and leapfrog development in the unincorporated areas of the County, no water or sewer utility companies shall be permitted to construct or install water or sewer facilities to serve or provide water or sewer utility service to new development within the unincorporated areas of the County without the consent of the County Commission. Policy 4A.1.1.4: The County shall monitor and review the availability of potable water service from the various potential suppliers of such service to the unincorporated areas of the County through a Service Availability Report. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-29 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4A.1.1.2: Provision of regional (not including package treatment plants) potable water service shall be limited to the utility service availability options set forth in the annual Service Availability Report described in Policy 4D.1.1.1b. Objective 4A.1.2: The County shall implement procedures for ensuring that when a development permit is issued, pursuant to the then current Service Availability Report, adequate facility capacity is available or will be available to serve the development concurrent with the impacts, in order to meet the adopted LOS standards. Policy 4A.1.2.1: All development will be specifically conditioned on the availability of services necessary to maintain LOS standards as adopted within this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 4A.1.2.2: The LOS standard for those areas of the unincorporated County served by FPUA shall be 117 gpcd (FPUA Water Use Permit, 2007). Policy 4A.1.2.3: The LOS standard for potable water systems other than those owned and operated by FPUA shall be permanent and seasonal residents - 100 gpcd. Policy 4A.1.2.4: The County shall include in the annual Service Availability Report an update of all improvements, expansions, or increases in the capacities of facilities of the various potential suppliers of service to the unincorporated areas of the County to ensure compatibility with the established LOS standards for such facilities. Policy 4A.1.2.5: The County shall prepare annual summaries of capacity and demand information for each facility of the various potential suppliers of service to the unincorporated areas of the County. Policy 4A1.2.6: Development within the unincorporated areas of the County will only be permitted when such development ties into or makes provisions for tying into a regional orsub-regional system that is available as set forth in the annual Service Availability Report. approved by the County Commission within the unincorporated area of the County requiring central potable water service will only be permitted when such development ties into existing potable water facilities of or makes provision for obtaining potable water service from the County Utility District, the Fort Pierce Utility Authority or the City of Port St. Lucie within their respective water utility service areas in accordance with the then current adopted utility extension policy of the applicable potable water service provider. Policy 4A.1.2.7: The County shall require that developments of regional impact determine the available quantity and quality of water resources for treatment to potable water beneath the development; determine the effect of withdrawal on surrounding environment, users and potential users; and make such information available to the County. Objective 4A.1.3: The County will establish and maintain a five-year and twenty-year schedule of capital improvement needs for the public facilities in the recognized County service areas. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-30 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4A.1.3.1: The following public facility improvements within a facility type are to be considered in the following order of priority, as determined by the Board of County Commissioners: A. Replacement of obsolete or worn out facilities, including repair, remodeling and renovation of facilities that contribute to achieving and/or maintaining levels of service. B. New facilities that reduce or eliminate existing deficiencies in levels of service. C. New facilities that provide the adopted levels of service for new growth during the next five fiscal years, as updated by the annual review of the Capital Improvements Element. D. Improvements to existing facilities, and new facilities that significantly reduce the operating cost of achieving and/or maintaining levels of service. E. New facilities that exceed the adopted levels of service for new growth during the next five fiscal years by either: 1. Providing excess public facility capacity that may be needed by future growth beyond the next five fiscal years, or 2. Providing higher quality public facilities that are contemplated in the County’s normal design criteria for such facilities. F. Facilities not described in Subsections A through E, above, but which the County is obligated to complete, provided that such obligation is evidenced by a written agreement the County executed prior to July 31, 1990. G. All facilities scheduled for construction or improvement in accordance with this Policy shall be evaluated to identify any plans of State agencies or the South Florida Water Management District that affect, or will be affected by, the proposed capital improvement. H. Project evaluation may also involve additional criteria that are unique to each type of public facility, as described in other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 4A.1.3.2: In the event that the planned capacity of public facilities is insufficient to serve all applicants for development orders, the Board of County Commissioners will schedule capital improvements to serve developments in the following order of priority: A. Previously approved orders permitting new development, B. New orders permitting redevelopment, and C. New orders permitting new development Objective 4A.1.4: The County shall take steps to insure that entities in the unincorporated County are adequately served, and in order to protect our drinking water shall investigate needs for waste disposal other than septic tanks and sewage systems. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-31 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 4A.1.5: The County shall coordinate with the other potential providers of central potable water service within the unincorporated areas of the County so that the extension of, or increase in the capacity of, facilities to meet future potable water capacity is available when needed. Policy 4A.1.5.1: Prior to issuance of a building permit, the County shall require that all applicants provide verification that water service can be provided in conformance with the policies in this plan and that adequate system capacity is available if a central system is to be utilized. GOAL 4A.2: The County shall aggressively indentify, protect, conserve, and best utilize the County’s available water supply resources. Objective 4A.2.1: The County shall continue to review and update the wellfield protection plan for public potable water supply sources in or adjacent to the unincorporated County. Policy 4A.2.1.1: The County shall in conjunction with FDEP, SFWMD, the St. Lucie County Health Department and existing utility systems, determine and map the location of all existing public potable water supply wells which are permitted to withdraw 100,000 gpd or greater. The County shall annually update this map and keep copies of this map on file. Policy 4A.2.1.2: The County shall in conjunction with FDEP, SFWMD, County Health Department, utilities and other potential providers of central potable water service establish the probable location of public potable water supply wells in the County. Policy 4A.2.1.3: The County shall identify land uses which may not be compatible with, and may contribute to the degradation of, public potable water supply wells. Policy 4A.2.1.4: The County shall identify land uses with existing or future public potable water supply wells. Policy 4A.2.1.5 The County shall update the Wellfield Protection Ordinance by January 31, 2012 Objective 4A.2.2: The County shall continue to develop a comprehensive water conservation program incorporating, at a minimum, the following policies. Policy 4A.2.2.1: The County shall continue to require water saving devices in new construction, consistent with the requirements of the Florida Building Code. Policy 4A.2.2.2: The County shall enforce the landscaping portion of the existing land development regulationsLand Development Code and on an ongoing basis require more exacting provisions for native landscaping plants. Policy 4A.2.2.3: The County shall coordinate with the FDEP, the SFWMD, local municipalities and other appropriate agencies in alternative water supply planning efforts and shall implement reuse programs and potable water conservation strategies as identified in the Water Supply Facilities Work Plan and the UECWSP. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-32 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4A.2.2.4: The County shall encourage reuse and reclamation of water for irrigation, landscape, agriculture, and industry as an alternative to the use of potable water supplies. Policy 4A.2.2.5: The County shall provide for education of the public concerning the need for water conservation and the use of gray water for irrigation. Policy 4A.2.2.6: No Conditional Uses for sand mining and no re-zonings to Industrial, Extraction (IX) will be granted within public potable water supply recharge areas designated through the Wellfield Protection Ordinance; when the information is available to designate aquifer recharge areas, this policy will be revised through a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to include those areas. Objective 4A.2.3: By December 2010, the County shall implement the Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan, prepared by the SFWMD, by amending the land development regulationsLand Development Code to identify water available and allocation rates to protect natural systems from competing water uses. Policy 4A.2.3.1: For normal, average rainfall years, water availability, use, allocation, and management plans, the County shall prevent the increasing water demands from reducing the important ecological, recreational and navigational values provided by the natural systems. Policy 4A.2.3.2: Water use, allocation, and management plans for emergency drought and flood situations shall avoid irreversible impacts on ecological systems and minimize long term adverse impacts. Policy 4A.2.3.3: The County shall not rely upon water supply sources outside its jurisdictional boundaries to meet the water supply needs of new growth and development until water availability, use, allocation and management plans have been adopted for the proposed source areas which specifically allocate water for such use. GOAL 4A.3: The County shall institute a program to identify the availability of public potable water supplies required to provide for the growth needs in the unincorporated County. Objective 4A.3.1: In cooperation with the SFWMD, the County shall, in 2008, completeimplement a master plan which determines and quantifies groundwater resources available to growth areas in both the surficial and Floridan aquifers, evaluates methods of treatment, considers environmental impact, considers alternative financing options, and provides a schedule for County acquisition of water service. Policy 4A.3.1.1: The County shall update the Water and Wastewater Master Plan approximately every 5 years to identify and provide for public water supplies to include: A. Identification of areas of high growth potential which are (or will be) isolated by existing service areas, natural geographic boundaries, political boundaries, low growth potential areas, or other demarcations. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-33 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 B. Projection of population growth in these areas. C. Inventory of existing package water treatment plants within the area, their condition, and their potential for acquisition. D.Establishment of needs of a public water system, based on LOS, provision of service by potential suppliers of water and population as established above. Policy 4A.3.1.2: The County shall as part of the Master Plan Update process, if financially feasible, authorize or cause to be authorized, a treatment and transport study to determine the recommended methods for supplying water treatment and transport, if necessary, for each service area identified under Policy 4D.3.1.1. The studies will include: A review of needs, based on projected population and LOS. An inventory of available water quantity and quality data. An analysis of potential aquifer sources, well locations, treatment methods, environmental effects, waste disposal considerations, and economic costs and efficiencies. Recommended method of treatment. An evaluation of environmental effects, waste disposal considerations, and costs. Identification of transfer needs and alternatives to deliver treated or raw water from the source to the distribution system. An application to SFWMD for water withdrawal from the selected aquifer(s). A recommendation for wellfield location, configuration, source aquifer, number and spacing of wells. Objective 4A.3.2: The County shall provide, where feasible, public water supply service within the unincorporated areas of the County; criteria for evaluating the feasibility of providing such public water service will be part of each Water Master Plan Update. Policy 4A.3.2.1: The County shall authorize engineering and financial studies for areas identified under Policy 4AD.3.1.1, which studies will include: A. Review of area needs and time frame for development. B. Preliminary identification of facility development necessary to meet the needs and timing of provision of public water service. C. Preliminary cost estimates and a schedule of capital expenditure projects financial considerations, including recommended method of funding, rate structure and revenue projections. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-34 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4A.3.2.2: The impact new customers have on potable water infrastructure, including water supply, treatment facilities, transmission and distribution systems shall be borne by those new customers, and shall be funded by the new customers in advance of the provision of potable water infrastructure. Policy 4A.3.2.3: In order to provide the most cost effective and efficient provision of public water service within the unincorporated areas of the County, the County shall communicate with the other potential providers of public water service regarding availability of and willingness to provide public water service from such providers to meet the needs of development within the unincorporated areas of the County through a bulk purchase agreement with the County. SOLID WASTE SUBELEMENT Goal 4B.1: Provide the most cost-effective solid waste management, transportation and disposal facilities for St. Lucie County. Objective 4B.1.1: Establish standards for level of service. Policy 4B.1.1.1 - Ensure sufficient capacity at the landfill through the year 2037, establish the following standards for level of service for the County's solid waste facilities: A. 5.395.10 pounds of Class I solid waste per capita County-wide per day at the landfill; and 2.80 pounds of construction and debris per capita County-wide B. Maintain at least two years of landfill lined cell disposal capacity; C. Maintain at least twenty years of landfill raw land capacity. Policy 4B.1.1.2 - Maintain Interlocal Agreements between the County and all municipalities within the County. Policy 4B.1 .1.3 - Inspect a minimum of three random Class I loads per week. Policy 4B.1.1.4 - Continue to implement the most cost effective alternative solid waste management practices that would extend the useful life of the landfill. These alternatives include, but are not-limited to: resource recovery, volume reductions by solid waste generators, volume reduction at transfer stations, separation of solid wastes at the source, composting recycling centers, public information programs, and operational changes which could improve efficiency. Policy 4B.1.1.5 - Continue to evaluate the costs of resource recovery, extended landfilling, and the combination of other alternatives to establish a 20 year horizon need. Policy 4B.1.1.6 - Through the development of educational and operational programs, actively encourage the removal of recyclables from the solid waste streams in the County to the maximum extent practicable. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-35 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4B.1.1.7 - Develop and implement incentive programs at the landfill for the removal of recyclable materials by both individuals and corporations. Objective 4B.1.2: Increase reduction of waste stream as technologies allow it to happen. Policy 4B.1.2.1 - Continue an education program focusing on informing the public about household hazardous waste, proper disposal methods and less environmentally harmful substitutes for these products. Policy 4B.1.2.2 - Continue inspection or screening system to exclude obviously suspect items from the landfill. Drums, tanks from unknown sources, waste pesticides, or chemicals and residues from spill clean-ups are a few of the normally suspect items. DRAINAGE SUBELEMENT Goal 4C.1: It is the goal of St. Lucie County to ensure the provision of an adequate stormwater drainage and management system that is both technically and economically feasible in meeting the existing and future needs of the community. Objective 4C.1.1: By January 31, 2003, tThe County shall annually update the complete theGeographic Information System-based Stormwater Mapping System. Policy 4C.1.1.1 - Upon the completion of the Stormwater Mapping System master plan for the County, the County shall revise minimum levels of service for each defined drainage basin and shall incorporate those levels of service into this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 4C.1.1.2 - To ensure that St. Lucie County maintains sufficient stormwater runoff, the following level-of-service standard shall be utilized in determining the appropriate amount of runoff for a project: Stormwater Master Plan--Level of Service Standards Structure/Facility 10 yr., 24 hr. 10 yr., 72 hr. 100 yr., 72 hr. 1 Houses/Building <FFE <FFE <FFE 23 Evacuation Routes 1/2W <0.5 ft. <1.0 ft. 4 Arterial Roads 1/2W <0.5 ft. <1.0 ft. 5 Other Roads<0.5 ft. <0.75 ft. <1.5 ft. 1Peak flood stages less than first (finished) floor elevation based on available data. 2Evacuation routes as defined by the County and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. 3Flooding limited to each side of the road such that one-half of the roadway width (W) or one travel lane is not flooded. 4Roads with four or more travel lanes, or roads that are only access to a respective area/development (secondary evacuation routes). 5Other roads which are not critical for evacuation, but which will be used to estimate encroachment on FFEs. Policy 4C.1.1.3 -When the Level of Service standards are revised for drainage subsequent to the completion of the County-Wide Stormwater MappingSystem St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-36 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 (as indicated in Policy 6C.1.1.1), the Level of Service standard shall include performance standards for water quality and flood control for each basin. Appropriate local and state regulations specifying stormwater quality standards shall be incorporated by reference into the drainage Level of Service standard to measure performance of systems, which are designed to remove pollutants from runoff. Appropriate regulations specifying ambient water quality standards shall be referenced to prevent further degradation of surface and groundwaters by runoff from stormwater facilities built prior to stormwater quality regulations taking effect in 1982. Policy 4C.1.1.43 - The Level of Service standard in Policy 46C.1.1.2 shall be applicable to all commercial, industrial and residential development activities within the Unincorporated St. Lucie County. Policy 4C.1.1.54 - The County shall continue to coordinate efforts with all appropriate authorities in regard to water storage and capacity enhancements for the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, including those portions within the designated aquatic preserve. Objective 4C.1.2: The County will maintain an inventory of floodprone areas located within its jurisdiction. Policy 4C.1.2.1 - The County shall maintain an inventory of flooding complaints. Policy 4C.1.2.2 - The County shall request the South Florida Water Management District, North St. Lucie River Water Control District and Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District establish system-wide water level monitoring stations in order to provide the data base necessary for the development of adequate stormwater management programs. Objective 4C.1.3: The County shall enforce existing Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code which support the protection and maintenance of the natural functions (flow and storage) of the 100-year floodplain and other natural drainage features. Policy 4C.1.3.1 - The County shall continue to enforce the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code regulating construction standards within the 100-year flood plain. Policy 4C.1.3.2 - The County shall provide direction and guidance to the general public on stormwater and floodplain management issues. Objective 4C.1.4: The County, in conjunction with the South Florida Water Management District, shall review and evaluate existing drainage studies and plans within the County's jurisdiction to determine their relevance to the current stormwater regulations. Policy 4C.1.4.1 - The County shall request that the South Florida Water Management District continue to update the inventory of groundwater levels within the County. Policy 4C.1.4.2 - All development will be specifically conditioned on the availability of services necessary to maintain Level of Service standards as adopted within this Comprehensive Plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-37 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Goal 4.C.2: It is the goal of St. Lucie County to implement a County-wide drainage system for urban and nonurban areas. Objective 4C.2.1: The County will continue to implement the master drainage plan. Policy 4C.2.1.1 - The County will continue to seek funding from State/federal grants and/or assessments in the area served by drainage improvements. Policy 4C.2.1.2 - No development authorizations shall be issued unless there is provided to St. Lucie County assurance that all required drainage improvements will be provided for both on-site and off-site. Policy 4C.2.1.3 - No final certificate of occupancy, as may be further defined in the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code, shall be issued until all drainage improvements, both on-site and off-site, for the particular development have been inspected and approved by St. Lucie County, or other appropriate authority. Goal 4C.3: It is the goal of St. Lucie County to ensure that the surficial groundwater quality is the highest possible for potable purposes. Objective 4C.3.1: To improve the water quality level of areas that fail to meet potable standards, and to prevent the further contamination of the surficial aquifer. Policy 4C.3.1.1 - The County shall continue to enforce the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code, including regulations governing the protection of potable wellfields from possible sources of contamination. Policy 4C.3.1.2 -– The County shall coordinate with the FDEP, the SFWMD, local municipalities and other appropriate agencies in alternative water supply planning efforts. TheLand Development RegulationsLand Development Code shallrequire wastewater reuse plans for new sewage treatment plants operating above 250,000 gallons per day. Any new reuse plan shall be approved by FDEP. Policy 4C.3.1.3 - The County shall continue developing and maintaining a series of stormwater attenuation areas to reduce the impacts of agricultural fertilizers and other related chemical applicants on the existing potable wellfields in the eastern portion of the County. Policy 4C.3.1.4 - The County shall continue to cooperate with the South Florida Water Management District in the identification and closure of free-flowing artesian wells. Policy 4C.3.1.5 - The County Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code shall continue to include comprehensive stormwater management including consideration of the following: 1. The use of stormwater detention and/or retention; 2. Streambank and shoreline buffer zones; 3. General design and construction standards for onsite stormwater management. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-38 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4C.3.1.6 –The County shall evaluate the financial feasibility of incorporating Low Impact Design (LID) stormwater management techniques by December 2013 in conjunction with South Florida Water Management and Florida Department of Environmental Protection criteria. Policy 4C.3.1.67 - The County shall assist the Federal Government, State of Florida, and the South Florida Water Management District, Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District and North St. Lucie River Water Control District in their efforts to improve the water quality of the primary drainage systems through the implementation of Chapter 17-40, FAC and Chapter 17-25 FAC. Objective 4C.3.2: The County shall enforce the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code for regulating land use and development to protect the functions of natural groundwater recharge areas. Policy 4C.3.2.1 - The County will protect the functions of natural groundwater aquifer recharge of designated public potable water supply wells by enforcing the Wellfield Protection Ordinance contained within the Land Development Code. Policy 4C.3.2.2 - The County will continue to work with the St. Lucie County PublicHealth UnitDepartment, Environmental Health Section, by verifying the issuance of the septic tank permit before a building permit is issued. Policy 4C.3.2.3 - The County will continue to assist the St. Lucie County Public Health DepartUniment, Environmental Health Section, with the Hazardous Waste Verification Program by continuing to require all Occupational License applicants (except Home Occupations) to receive Public Health Unit approval prior to issuance of an Occupational License. Policy 4C.3.2.4 - No Conditional Uses for sand mining and no rezonings to Industrial, Extraction (IX) will be granted within public potable water supply recharge areas designated through the Wellfield Protection Ordinance. Policy 4C.3.2.5 -The County shall continue to cooperate with the South Florida Water Management District in the identification and closure of free-flowing artesian wells. Policy 4C.3.2.6 -The County shall cooperate with the South Florida Water Management District in the implementation of the Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-39 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 SANITARY SEWER SUBELEMENT Goal 4D.1: The County shall provide needed public utilities in a manner which provides the most effective, environmentally sound, safe and economic waste water treatment system and promotes orderly, compact urban growth. Objective 4D.1.1: Sanitary sewer facilities shall be provided by the County in a manner that shall not promote urban sprawl. Policy4D.1.1.1: The utility service areas, as delineated in the Water and Wastewater Master Plan, will be determined on the basis of economy and efficient operation but will not promote linear or leapfrog development. The utility service areas shall be reviewed and updated every 5 years (beginning 2008) and shall not include those areas already being served by Fort Pierce Utility Authority or Port St. Lucie Utilities, and St. Lucie West Services District. Policy 4D.1.1.1b2: The County Utility District will determine the most cost effective and efficient means of providing sanitary sewer services to all areas of the urban service area as depicted in Policy 1.1.5.1 in a manner that will not promote linear or leapfrog development consistent with Policy 1.1.5.2. The Countyutility departmentwill publish on an annual basis a Service Availability Report setting forth the availability of sanitary sewer service from the various suppliers of such service to the unincorporated areas of the County that meets therequirements of Goal 6A.1 and this Policy. The County Utility District will determine the most cost effective and efficient means of providing sanitary sewer services for all development that may be approved by the County Commission within the unincorporated areas of the County outside the urban service area which approval is subject to the provision of sanitary sewer service within such development. Policy 4D.1.1.3: In order to prevent sprawl and leapfrog development in the unincorporated areas of the County, no water or sewer utility companies shall be permitted to construct or install water or sewer facilities to serve or provide water or sewer utility service to new development within the unincorporated areas of the County without the consent of the County Commission. Policy 4D.1.1.4: The County shall monitor and review the availability of sanitary sewer service from the various potential suppliers of such service to the unincorporated areas of the County in a Service Availability Report. Policy4D.1.1.2: Provision of centralized (not including package treatment plants) sanitary sewer service shall be limited to the utility service availability options set forth in the annual Service Availability Report described in Policy 4D.1.1.1b. Policy 4D.1.1.35: The County shall investigate alternate methods of waste disposal other than septic tanks. Objective 4D1.2: The County shall implement procedures for ensuring that when a development permit is issued, pursuant to then current Service Availability Report, adequate facility capacity is available or will be available when needed to serve the development, concurrent with the impacts, in order to meet adopted level-of-service standards. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-40 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4D.1.2.1: Levels of service for on-site improvements, including sewer connection lines, shall be as required of the developer in the land development regulationsLand Development Code. Policy 4D.1.2.2: The standards for level of service for sanitary sewer systems other than those owned and operated by FPUA shall be Permanent & Seasonal Residents - 100 gpcd. The LOS standard for those areas of the unincorporated County served by FPUA shall be 110 gpcd. Policy 4D.1.2.3: The County shall include in the annual Service Availability Report an update of all improvements, expansions, or increases in the capacities of facilities, of the various potential suppliers of service to the unincorporated areas of the County to ensure compatibility with the established level of service standards for. such facilities. Policy 4D.1.2.4: The County shall prepare annual summaries of capacity and demand information for each facility of the various potential suppliers of service to the unincorporated areas of the County. Policy 4D1.2.5: Development within the unincorporatedareas of the County will only be permitted when such development ties into or makes provisions for tying into a regional or sub-regional system that is available as set forth in the annual Service Availability Report.approved by the County Commission within the unincorporated area of the County requiring sanitary sewer service will only be permitted when such development ties into existing sanitary sewer facilities of or makes provision for obtaining water or sewer utility service from the County Utility District, the Ft. Pierce Utility Authority or the City of Port St. Lucie within their respective sanitary sewer service areas in accordance with the then current adopted utility extension policy of the applicable sanitary sewer service provider. Policy 4D.1.2.6: The County shall condition development orders to provide that when a regional sanitary sewer system is available, the development will be required to tie into it. Issuance of development orders or permits will be further conditioned on demonstration of compliance with applicable federal, state and local permit requirements for on-site wastewater treatment systems. Objective 4D.1.3: The County will establish and maintain a five-year and twenty-year schedule of capital improvement needs for sanitary sewer facilities in recognized County service areas. Policy 4D.1.3.1: The following public facility improvements within a facility type are to be considered in the following order or priority, as determined by the Board of County Commissioners: A. Replacement of obsolete or worn out facilities, including repair, remodeling and renovation of facilities that contribute to achieving and/or maintaining levels of service. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-41 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 B. New facilities that reduce or eliminate existing deficiencies in levels of service. C. New facilities that provide the adopted levels of service for new growth during the next five fiscal years, as updated by the annual review of the Capital Improvements Element. D. Improvements to existing facilities, and new facilities that significantly reduce the operating cost of achieving and/or maintaining levels of service. E. New facilities that exceed the adopted levels of service for new growth during the next five fiscal years by either: 1) Providing excess public facility capacity that may be needed by future growth beyond the next five fiscal years, or 2) Providing higher quality public facilities that are contemplated in the County's normal design criteria for such facilities. F. All facilities scheduled for construction or improvement in accordance with this Policy shall be evaluated to identify any plans of State agencies or the South Florida Water Management District that affect, or will be affected by, the proposed capital improvement. G. Project evaluation may also involve additional criteria that are unique to each type of public facility, as described in other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 4D.1.3.2: In the event that the planned capacity of public facilities is insufficient to serve all applicants for development orders, the Board of County Commissioners will schedule capital improvements to serve developments in the following order of priority: A. Previously approved orders permitting new development, B. New orders permitting redevelopment, and C. New orders permitting new development. Objective 4D.1.4: The County will enforce the mandatory requirements for design, operation, and maintenance of on-site wastewater treatment systems. Policy 4D.1.4.1: The County shall develop and implement guidelines for on-site disposal systems. These guidelines will include: establishing general requirements for the construction, use, and abandonment of on-site sewage disposal systems; providing for permits with conditions and approvals; providing for standards for the approval of applications for an on-site sewage disposal system; providing for conditions under which on-site sewage disposal systems shall not be used; providing for system size determination; providing for soil classification data; providing for percolation tests; providing for alternative systems; and, providing for permit fees. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-42 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4D.1.4.2: The County shall, in conjunction with the St. LuciePublic Health Department, limit use of on-site wastewater treatment systems to the following conditions: Existing septic tank and package treatment plants may remain in service until such time as centralized service is made available; Use of septic tank systems concurrent with on-site potable water wells for new single family detached residential development shall be limited, depending on soil and water table conditions, and shall be in compliance with State regulations; Use of small package treatment plants shall be limited to use where central facilities are not available in the rural County area and shall be limited to use in order to provide pre-treatment of sewage where required for particular industries or commercial uses prior to discharge into regional systems in the sanitary sewer areas if such a system is available; and Interim wastewater plants may be used for residential developments until central sewer service is available; in compliance with Section 381.272(1), Florida Statute, all applicable guidelines shall be followed and all subdivisions must provide sewer utility easements and rights-of-way and the developer should give advance notice to purchasers of lots. Policy 4D.1.4.3: The County shall require that construction of new residential development at densities greater than two units per acre only be permitted when central water (including package treatment plants) and central sewer (including package treatment plants) systems are available or will be provided concurrent with the impacts of development. Policy 4D.1.4.4: The County shall coordinate with appropriate federal and State agencies, and amend local ordinances to require that issuance of permits for replacement or expansion of existing on-site wastewater treatment systems is conditioned upon compliance with current regulatory requirements and water quality standards. Policy 4D.1.4.5: The County shall coordinate with FDEP to encourage small package treatment plants to connect to a central sewer system when feasible. Objective 4D.1.5: The County shall provide for the coordination of the extension or increase in the capacity of existing facilities as well as the provision of new facilities to meet future needs through development and adoption of a Sanitary Sewer Master Plan. Prior to the completion of the Master Plan, residential development in excess of two units per acre and all other development shall not be permitted if it is intended to be served by on-site septic systems. Policy 4D.1.5.1: The County shall require that all building permit applicants prior to permit issuance verify that sewer service can be provided in conformance with the policies in this plan and that adequate system capacity is available if a central system is to be utilized. Goal 4D.2: St. Lucie County will ensure wastewater service for sub-regional or regional areas to meet existing and projected demands in those areas. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-43 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 4D.2.1: Every 5-years beginning in 2008, the County will evaluate the County-wide Water and Wastewater Master Plan for wastewater in the unincorporated County areas. Policy 4D.2.1.1: The County shall implement the master plan update for wastewater by 2002. Every five years the county shall review and update the master plan to include the following: By October 31, 2013 the County shall review and update the Water and Sewer Master Plan and continue to review and update it every 5 years thereafter to identify and provide for public wastewater service to include: A. An inventory of the existing package plants and wastewater treatment facilities in the unincorporated area of St. Lucie County. This inventory is to assess their current flow, committed flow, condition, useful life, ability to expand, and general need to connect to a regional system. B. Redefine the potential service areas. C. Provide population projections for the service areas based on the population projections used in the development of this Comprehensive Plan. D. Estimate the size of necessary treatment facilities. E. Suggest general locations for any new treatment facilities. F. Identify any remaining potential utility acquisitions. G. Provide budget estimates for the necessary capital improvements associated with the development of the County utility system, or components thereof. H. Estimate operating costs for the facilities. I. Provide an outline of financing options and implementation guidelines. Policy 4D.2.1.2: In order to provide sufficient Levels of Service for Sanitary Sewer, the County shall implement the recommendations of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan. Objective 4D.2.2: The County shall provide, where feasible, public sanitary sewer service within the unincorporated areas of the County; criteria for evaluating the feasibility of providing such public sanitary sewer service will be part of each Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update.The following locations are targeted for higher intensity development or are currently experiencing problems with existing sewer systems and shall have central sanitary sewer service provided: A.That area surrounding the I-95-Indrio Road Interchange. B..That area surrounding the I-95-White City Road Interchange, west of I-95. C.That area along U.S. 1 in the Savannas area. D.That area along County Road 707 between the Savannas State Reserve and the Indian River Lagoon. The date by which service will be provided will be determined in the various utility providers’ Sanitary Sewer Master Plans, as amended from time to time. All St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-44 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 amendments to the dates by which service will be provided will be incorporated into this SUBELEMENT through the comprehensive plan amendment process. Policy 4D.2.2.1: The County shall authorize engineering and financial studies for areas identified under Policy 4D.2.1.1, which studies will include:study the development areas listed in Objective2.2,to establish growth projections, required facility sizes, and a schedule of capital improvements. A. Review of area needs and time frame for development. B. Preliminary identification of public facility development necessary to meet the needs and timing of provision of public sanitary sewer service. C. Preliminary cost estimates and a schedule of capital expenditure projects financial considerations, including recommended method of funding, rate structure and revenue projections. Policy 4D.2.2.2: The cost of all new sanitary sewer infrastructure and collection systems shall be borne by those who directly benefit from the improved facilities.The County shall undertake projects which shall be in accordance with the schedule of capital improvements. Policy 4D.2.2.3:The County shall give priority to projects needed to correct existing deficiencies in the formulation and implementation of the annual work programs. Policy 4D.2.2.43: In order to provide the most cost effective and efficient provision of public sanitary sewer service within the unincorporated areas of the County, the County shall communicate with the other potential providers of public sanitary sewer service regarding availability of and willingness to provide public sanitary sewer service from such providers to meet the needs of development within the unincorporated areas of the County The County shall consider initiating negotiations with other sanitary sewer service providers to serve those County areas that could be reasonably and cost effectively served by the other sanitary sewer service providers, either existing or proposedthrough a bulk service agreement with the County. Policy 4D.2.2.4: The impact new customers have on sanitary sewer infrastructure, including collection and transmission systems, treatment facilities, disposal facilities, reclaimed water treatment facilities and reclaimed water transmission and distribution systems shall be borne by those new customers, and shall be funded by the new customers in advance of the provision of sanitary sewer infrastructure. Objective 4D.2.3: Initiate programs to acquire private utilities serving the unincorporated area that are capable of expansion and of sustaining themselves with revenues. Policy 4D.2.3.1: The County shall study those existing private utilities of appreciable service area size to determine their value and revenue-producing potential. In addition, needed capital improvements and service area expansion potential should be considered. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-45 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 4D.2.3.2: The County shall consider for acquisition those private utilities which would benefit the public welfare through acquisition by the County. Policy 4D.2.3.3: When areas previously served by package treatment plants are connected to a central system, it shall not be the responsibility of the central system to purchase these package treatment plants or incur the cost associated with removal. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 4-46 Infrastructure Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 ×²¼·¿² Î·ª»® Ý±«²¬§ Í¬ò Ô«½·» Ê·´´¿¹» Ú±®¬ Ð·»®½» Ð±®¬ Í¬ò Ô«½·» Ó¿®¬·² Ý±«²¬§ n Í±«®½» æ Í¬ Ô«½·» Ù®±©¬¸ Ó¿²¿¹»³»²¬ô îððç Ó·´» Ô»¹»²¼ Ü®¿·²¿¹» Ü·¬®·½¬ ðîòëë Ý±«²¬§ Þ±«²¼¿®§ Ó«²·½·°¿´·¬·» Ó¿° æ ×ÒÚóï É¿¬»® Ý±²¬®±´ Ü·¬®·½¬ Ú±®¬ Ð·»®½» Ú¿®³ ÉÝÜ Ò±®¬¸ Í¬ Ô«½·» Î·ª»® ÉÝÜ Ð®·²¬ Ü¿¬» æ Ú»¾®«¿®§ô îðïð COASTAL MANAGEMENT ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Purpose The purpose of the Coastal Management Element is to protect human life and to limit public expenditures in areas that are subject to destruction by natural disaster. It is also to plan for, and where appropriate, restrict development activities where such activities would damage or destroy coastal resources. COASTAL PLANNING AREA The Coastal Planning Area for St. Lucie County includes unincorporated areas abutting the ocean and estuarine shorelines and the shoreline of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and its tributaries. Map CST-1 Coastal Planning Area delineates the coastal planning area of the County. For the oceanic and estuarine systems the eastern boundary is the Atlantic Ocean and the northern and southern boundaries are the respective county lines. The western boundary is delineated at U.S. 1 north of the AIA south causeway and by the Florida East Coast Railroad south of the causeway. Lands within these boundaries that fall within the corporate limits of St. Lucie Village and the Cities of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie are not components of the County Coastal Planning Area. The boundary for the riverine system is the area along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and its tributaries that falls within the “Coastal High Hazard Area”. Pursuant to Chapter 163.3178(2)(h) of the Florida Statutes, the “Coastal High Hazard Areas” (also referred to as “high-hazard coastal areas”) is the area below the elevation of the category 1 storm surge line as established by a Sea, Lakes, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) computerized storm surge model. And again, lands within this boundary that fall within the corporate limits of the Cities of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie are not components of the County Coastal Planning Area. Land Use in the Coastal Area The existing land uses within the coastal planning area are also shown on Map CST-1. Table 5-1 Coastal Planning Area Existing Land Uses identifies the number of parcels within or containing a portion of the coastal planning area, and identifies the existing use on the parcel and the parcel acreage. Overall the uses can be broadly categorized as commercial, residential, public and conservation/recreation. Of the total acreage of the parcels, commercial comprises 6% of the total area, residential is 33%, public is 35% and conservation/recreation is 26%. At this time 15% of the total area still remains vacant land, the bulk of which is allocated for residential development. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-1 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The future land uses within the coastal planning area identified on Map FLU-1. Future Land Use. TABLE 5-1 Coastal Planning Area Existing Uses USE # PARCELS ACRES Agriculture 22 256.94 Commercial 45 283.91 Commercial Vacant 62 186.25 Industrial 22 59.95 Mixed Use 2 6.53 Commercial uses 6% of area Commercial Uses Acreage Subtotal 793.58 USE # PARCELS ACRES Residential Mobile Homes 1,790 97.69 Residential Multifamily 311 593.91 Residential Single Family 3,070 2,257.77 Residential Vacant 1,806 1,486.90 Residential 33% of area Residential Uses Acreage Subtotal 4,436.27 USE # PARCELS ACRES Public Services 196 3,831.11 Public Services Vacant 8 277.32 Right of Way 100 352.95 Transportation 20 176.30 Public Uses 35% of area Public Uses Acreage Subtotal 4,637.68 USE # PARCELS ACRES Conservation/Recreation 120 3,474.97 Con/Rec. 26% of area Conservation/Recreation Acreage Subtotal 3,474.97 TOTAL ACREAGE ALL USES 13,342.50 Source: St. Lucie County Growth Management, 2009 St. Lucie County has twenty-one miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline, much of which is currently undeveloped. Through the efforts of the residents of St. Lucie County and the State of Florida, approximately seven miles of this unincorporated oceanfront are under public ownership. Another two miles of oceanfront property are owned by the Florida Power & Light Company, and are to be maintained in their present natural state in conjunction with the operation of the St. Lucie Power Plant facilities. The balance of the remaining oceanfront properties is held in private ownership and available for development activities, which have historically been residential in character. Presently, approximately 45% of this privately held frontage is developed. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-2 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Within the overall coastal planning area, conflicts in shoreline uses are restricted with 26% of the area conservation/recreation in nature and 35% controlled under public ownership. Additionally the County has the opportunity to explore planning mechanisms that may be available to direct the remaining vacant lands to non-conflicting uses. The County has not officially designated any areas as having conditions of slum and blight, but is continuing to monitor aging areas and implementing needed programs and improvements. The County has no Community Redevelopment Agency. Natural Resources in the Coastal Area Immediately interior to the coastal barrier island, located between the barrier island and the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, is the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). The IRL is a linear estuarine system that extends along more than a third of Florida’s east coast, over 155 miles, from Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County south to Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County. Numerous freshwater wetlands and sloughs undergo a transition into riverine systems that connect directly to the IRL. The lagoon interacts with the saline waters of the Atlantic Ocean through the inlets, providing tidal exchange with fresh water discharged into the lagoon from the inland rivers. Along the IRL the associated mangrove and salt marsh communities provide valuable filtration, stabilization and habitat and the seagrass beds provide foraging for manatees. The Conservation Element provides additional details on IRL characteristics and restoration programs. The St. Lucie River (SLR) is divided into four sections: North Fork, South Fork, Middle Estuary and Lower Estuary. The North Fork of the St. Lucie River falls almost exclusively within the St. Lucie County. The creation of St. Lucie Inlet in 1892 connected the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the SLR. This project ultimately converted this freshwater tributary to a riverine estuary (freshwater in the upper reaches and saltwater in the middle and lower sections). This unique salinity gradient changed the natural resources found in the SLR. Because of its geographic location and tidal connection through the St. Lucie Inlet, the North Fork supports high species diversity and serves as an important nursery ground for a variety of fish and wildlife. The Conservation Element provides additional details on SLR characteristics and restoration programs. Along the ocean shoreline the barrier island contains beach, dune, and coastal strand. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) South East Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan describes the characteristics of these habitats as follows: Beach Dune, Coastal Strand – TheBeach dune and coastal strand communities are the closest communities to the high-energy shoreline. The coastal dune and coastal scrub habitat occupies the immediate Atlantic coast on Hutchison Island. Within this high-energy zone, there are a number of daily, naturally occurring events such as wave action, sand burial, and salt spray. Closest to the coast, the upper beach is regularly disturbed by waves of high tides or storms and regularly re-colonized by driftline annuals and trailing perennials such as railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae). Above the reach of annual wave action is the foredune, built by coarse, rhizomatous grasses; primarily sea oats (Uniola paniculata), that thrive under constant burial from sand blown off the beach. Beyond the zone of constant sand burial are the dwarfed trees and shrubs of the coastal strand. The species growing in this St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-3 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 zone are kept at a low stature by salt spray, which kills the upward-growing leader shoots. Species composition within the coastal strand communities that are located on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts differ. Maritime hammocks are low forests of evergreen broadleaved trees found inland from coastal strand communities on the Atlantic coast. The canopy may be composed of trees with either temperate affinities (Quercus virginiana, Sabal palmetto, Persea borbonia) or (usually on more calcareous substrates) of trees with tropical affinities (Bursera simarouba, Ficus aurea, Coccoloba uvifera). Hutchinson Island is recognized as one of the major nesting beaches in South Florida for the federally listed marine turtles. Marine turtles typically nest at night from March through November, with incubation lasting approximately 55 days. Threats to marine turtle nests are both man-made and naturally occurring. Detrimental activities include: physical disturbance of dune systems by development; the placement of physical obstructions on the beach entrapping adults and hatchlings; high raccoon predator populations; the encroachment of the invasive Australian pine trees, whose root mats interfere with nest excavation; or the disorientation of hatchlings from direct lighting of the beaches at night. Natural occurring coastal erosion causing cliffing and, although not frequent, hurricanes causing serious beach erosion or accretion are also detrimental. The federally listed southeastern beach mouse,which is restricted to sea oats dunes, was formerly abundant from Ponce de Leon (Mosquito) Inlet, Volusia County to Hollywood Beach, Broward County. In South Florida, this species is now restricted to scattered localities in Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Many shorebirds use beaches in South Florida for nesting or wintering or both. Florida is the main wintering ground of the federally threatened piping ploverwhich breeds in northern North America. Formerly seen wintering in all South Florida counties except Martin, this species is now absent from Indian River, Palm Beach, and Broward counties and has become rare in Miami- Dade and Sarasota counties. The St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District contains 301 square miles. The District manages 4000 acres of coastal mangrove swamps and salt marshes to abate saltmarsh mosquitoes and sandflies. The District staff manages the saltmarsh impound areas, conducts research, provides public education and has an acquisition/mitigation/donation program. The District land acquisition and preservation efforts have been successful at Bear Point, Middle Cove, Blind Creek, Kings Island, Queens Island, Pepper Park Addition, and the Indian River Lagoon Blueway. Water Access Facilities The Recreation and Open Space Element provides specific details on the all public park and recreational facilities. The following table provides a list of those facilities that provide water access. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-4 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 5.2 Public Facilities Providing Water Access Facility Name Location Avalon Beach 5290 N SR Highway A1A Blind Creek Beachside 5460 S Ocean Dr Blind Creek Riverside South 5101 S Ocean Dr Blue Heron Beach 2101 Blue Heron Blvd Byrn Mawr Beach Access 5056 N SR Highway A1A DJ Wilcox Riverside 399 Wilcox Rd Dollman Park Beachside 9200 S Ocean Dr Dollman Park Riverside 9101 S Ocean Dr Frederick Douglass Memorial Park 3600 S Ocean Dr Hermans Bay Beach 7880 S Ocean Dr Indrio Savannahs Preserve 5275 Tozour Rd John Brooks Park Beachside 3300 S Ocean Dr John Brooks Park Riverside 2601 S Ocean Dr Middle Cove Beach 4600 S Ocean Dr Normandy Beach 8550 S Ocean Dr Ocean Bay Beachside 7600 S Ocean Dr Pepper Park Beachside 3302 N SR Highway A1A Pepper Park Riverside 3375 N SR Highway A1A River Park Marina 500 SE Prima Vista Blvd St Lucie County Marine Center 420 Seaway Dr Stan Blum Boat Ramp 613 N Causeway Dr Walton Rocks Beach and Dog Park 6700 S Ocean Dr Waveland Beach Park 10350 S Ocean Dr Avalon State Park 5601 N A1A Hwy Blind Creek Riverside North 4651 S Ocean Dr DJ Wilcox Preserve 300 Michigan St Ft Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area 905 Shorewinds Dr George Lestrange Preserve 4911 Ralls Rd Gordy Road Recreation Area 3650 Gordy Rd Indrio Scrub Preserve 5100 Old Dixie Hwy Jack Island State Preserve 900 Jack Island Access Rd Kings Island Preserve 900 Jack Island Access Rd Ocean Bay Riverside 6851 S Ocean Dr Oxbow Eco Center 5400 NE St James Dr Queens Island Preserve 4653 SR N Highway A1A Savannas Preserve State Park 9551 Gumbo Limbo Lane Savannas Recreation Area 1400 E Midway Rd Spruce Bluff Preserve 611 SE Dar Ln Sweetwater Hammock Preserve 4100 S 25th St Ten Mile Creek Preserve 3401 Gordy Rd Wildcat Cove 3399 N SR Highway A1A St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-5 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Facility Name Location Lakewood Park Natural Area 5990 Emerson Ave North Fork Parcels Various sites along the North Fork Estuarine Pollution Conditions Overall, the natural hydrologic regime of the IRL has been heavily influenced over the years by human activities. Residential and commercial construction in the late 1800s and early 1900s increased the need for inlets to increase commerce. Local interests in 1921 originally constructed the Fort Pierce Inlet. In 1935, the Federal Government took over operation and maintenance responsibility. Since 1978, maintenance dredging of the entrance channel has been conducted on a biannual basis with disposal of the beach compatible dredged material on the adjacent downdrift beach south of the inlet. Construction of a spur jetty attached to the south jetty was completed in 1997. The last time maintenance dredging of the channel occurred was in 1998. During the 1880’s a shallower inlet known as the Indian River Inlet previously existed approximately 2.7 miles north of the present Fort Pierce Inlet. In the 1930s and 1950s much of the lagoon salt marsh was impounded for mosquito control purposes and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway was expanded and deepened to allow for more navigable waterways, both of which further altered the hydrology of the IRL. Over 40,000 acres of the salt marsh acreage in the Indian River have been impounded for mosquito control. Many of the 192 impoundments are still isolated from the lagoon. Over 40 percent of the impoundments are privately-owned, another 40 percent are federally-owned and the rest are county-owned. Most of the impoundments in Indian River and St. Lucie County can be restored through reconnection with the lagoon. The County continues to evaluate the functionality of the managed and unmanaged impoundments. In the early 1900s, extensive drainage canals were constructed for agricultural purposes, and flood control projects were initiated in the 1930s following several destructive hurricanes. The County has three major primary drainage and flood control canals, the C-23, C-24 and C-25 which are part of the Central and South Florida Flood Control project and are managed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). In addition, the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District and the St. Lucie River Water Control District manage numerous secondary canal systems. These canals are solely dependent on rainfall as a source of inflow and are important sources of agricultural irrigation water. Canals C-23, C-24 and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Water Control District canals drain into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and its major tributaries. The C-25 Canal and Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (Basin 1) canals empty directly into the Indian River lagoon nearly opposite the Fort Pierce Inlet. At this time, all but a small area in southwestern and northeastern St. Lucie County is drained by these primary and secondary canal systems. Another flood control and navigation project was conducted from the 1920s to the 40s to straighten portions of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. In the process of straightening the river, the dredged spoil was piled into berms (mounds) along the banks of the new channel. These spoil piles, which can measure up to 50 feet wide and 25 feet tall, block former river bends and oxbows as well as isolate a large portion of the North Fork floodplain. Historically, the slow and meandering path of the North Fork allowed St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-6 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 suspended solids to settle out of the water and nutrients to be filtered by vegetation, but the direct river-course does not, which now effects the water quality and sediment loads reaching the estuary. The North Fork is located in the Eastern Valley region which is composed of long, low narrow ridges ranging from 15 to 30 feet in elevation. The natural topography of the watershed is generally flat with few natural rises. The hydrology of the North Fork and its headwaters was altered in the early to mid 1900s to support the growing demands of development and navigation. This began with a network of agricultural and residential canals and drainages. The canals were primarily designed to address flood control and drainage for land reclamation. Prior to these drainage efforts, the North Fork St. Lucie River (SLR) watershed encompassed 187 square miles. Construction of these drainage canals expanded the watershed to 821 square miles by diverting flows from other areas to the North Fork. Alteration and expansion of the historic watershed coupled with ecologically-degrading land use practices have set the stage for the current impaired condition of the North Fork and most other SLR watershed basins. Prior to these manmade alterations, wet season rains pooled broadly across the SLR watershed and moved toward the naturally lower elevations surrounding the river. Historic wetland ecosystems facilitated dynamic watershed storage and sheet flow. Reduced movement through natural features kept wetlands flooded and provided for movement of groundwater to the river during the dry season. This made historic wetlands and estuaries less vulnerable to Florida's variable rainfall. Today, much of the watershed runoff from the North Fork drainage basins flows quickly from smaller, residential canals into large canals that cross the coastal ridge instead of being detained, evaporated, cleansed, and held by natural systems. Since most of the development in the County pre-dates the required Best Management Practices for stormwater run-off, un-pretreated run-off is still a non-point source water quality issue for the lagoon Through the cooperative efforts by a variety of federal, state, county and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, efforts have begun to address the long term health and viability of the estuarine lagoon and associated wildlife. A variety of organizations have monitoring and research underway in the IRL and its watershed. The Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvements and Management (SWIM) Program has been designed to develop and execute a combination of research and practical implementation projects to protect or restore the environmental resources of the Indian River Lagoon. This joint program, administered cooperatively through the St. John's River Water Management District (SJWMD) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), has three goals: Attain and maintain water and sediment of sufficient quality to support a healthy, seagrass-based estuarine ecosystem; Attain and maintain a functioning seagrass ecosystem which supports endangered and threatened species, fisheries and wildlife; and Achieve heightened public awareness and coordinated interagency management. Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area. A feature of the IRL – SWIM Plan is construction of the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area (WPA).This is one of the largest stormwater and restoration improvement projects to impact the St. Lucie Estuary and River in St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-7 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 advance of the federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) IRL - South Plan proposed projects. The purpose of the Ten Mile Creek WPA is the seasonal or temporary storage of stormwater from the Ten-Mile Creek Basin. The Ten-Mile Creek Basin is the largest sub-basin and contributes the second largest volume of stormwater to the St. Lucie River Estuary. Stormwater will be captured in the reservoir and then passed through a polishing cell for additional water quality treatment before being released into the North Fork. Stored water can be released in the drier winter months to augment current insufficient flows. Additional project details are contained in the Conservation Element. Indian River Lagoon-South Plan. The component of the federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP), referred to as the IRL - South Plan proposes various projects designed for stormwater attenuation to the estuary to control salinity and reduce nutrient and sediment loads, and to provide an additional source of agricultural water supply. Additional project details are contained in the Conservation Element on the following IRL-South projects proposed within St. Lucie County: C-23/24 North Reservoir C-23/24 South Reservoir C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area (STA Cypress Creek Complex - Natural Storage and Treatment Area C-25 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area North Fork Floodplain Restoration Muck Remediation Spoil Islands The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), which runs off the mainland coast of the County, runs within the IRL. The ICW is managed and maintained by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), a Special State Taxing District. Maintenance dredging has created spoil islands that run along the eastern edge of the ICW and there are a series of spoil islands in the IRL at the northern end of the County.The Spoil Island Working Group (SIWG), which consists of 12 Federal, State, and County government agencies and 6 non-governmental organizations, was created to implement the Indian River Lagoon Spoil Island Management Plan put forth by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). The Spoil Island Project is a coordinated effort for managing the spoil islands for recreational and environmental interests. Within St. Lucie County, the Indian River Aquatic Preserve office and the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District have partnered with the SIWG to initiate a full-island enhancement on St. Lucie County spoil island SL3. SL3 is immediately adjacent to the Florida Atlantic University facility at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. The St. Lucie County Erosion District has partnered with the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve, the Florida Oceanographic Society, and Florida SeaGrant to restore an approximately 0.75-acre oyster reef on spoil island SL 18B. This island is south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-8 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Historic Resources The Bureau of Archaeological Research within the Florida Office of Cultural and Historic Preservation maintains the Florida Master Site File (MSF); a database that contains information on archaeological and historic resources in Florida. The state MSF also contains those sites listed on the National Register. Map CST-2. Historic Sites, identifies and locates the historic resources contained in the MSF that are located in the County’s coastal planning area; a listing of these resources is contained in Appendix 5-A. Infrastructure in theCoastal Area Significant infrastructure in the coastal planning area includes A1A, and A1A the north and south causeways, U.S. 1, Indian River Drive and Old Dixie Highway north of the Port of Fort Pierce. The County provides potable water to north Hutchinson Island, but the Martin County and the Fort Pierce Utility Authority (FPUA) provides potable water to South Hutchinson Island. The County operates a regional wastewater treatment plant on North Hutchinson Island and one on South Hutchinson Island; they provide wastewater treatment service for approximately 75% of North Hutchinson Island and for all of South Hutchinson Island except the Island Dunes residential development that maintains their own private plant. The Infrastructure Element of this plan provides greater detail on these facilities. Although not publically owned, it must be noted that the Florida Power and Light (FPL) nuclear power plant is located in the coastal planning area on South Hutchinson Island. This facility provides a significant amount of the power to the region. CBRA Zone The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 and later amendments, removed the Federal government from financial involvement associated with building and development in undeveloped portions of designated coastal barriers. The County has conveyed concerns to the U.S. Department of Interior as it pertains to their digital mapping pilot project of the CBRA zones within St. Lucie County. One of those concerns directly relates to the potential construction of an inlet sand trap for sand bypassing. The sand trap would be located within a federally maintained inlet, which could result in the elimination of future federal participation since this area is under consideration for reclassification as a CBRA zone. In addition, St. Lucie County has initiated a non-federal project to address the severely deteriorated conditions of the South County shoreline while paralleling the development of a federal shore protection project to provide for future renourishment of the beaches in the project area. A future federal project would eliminate property located within a CBRA zone from receiving any federal funding. COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA Pursuant to Chapter 163.3178(2)(h)F.S the “Coastal High Hazard Areas” (also referred to as “high-hazard coastal areas”) means the area below the elevation of the category 1 storm surge line as established by a Sea, Lakes, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) computerized storm surge model. Map CST-3. Coastal High Hazard Area identifies the Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) within the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-9 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Infrastructure in theCoastal High Hazard Area The significant infrastructure in the CHHA is the same as in the coastal planning area and includes A1A and A1A north and south causeways, U.S. 1, Indian River Drive and Old Dixie Highway north of the Port of Fort Pierce, as well as the potable water and wastes water infrastructure servicing the existing development. The County operates a regional wastewater treatment plant on North Hutchinson Island and one on South Hutchinson Island. The Infrastructure Element of this plan provides greater detail on these facilities. NATURAL DISASTER PLANNING As identified in the County’s local mitigation strategy (LMS), the following natural hazards pose a risk to the County: floods, hurricanes/tropical storms, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms/lightning, drought, temperature extremes, muck fires, wildfire/urban interface fires and erosion. And, although not listed in the LMS, there are two relatively small areas in the County at risk from sink holes. Hurricanes/tropical storms and floods are given the highest priority. Hurricanes. Hurricanes have the potential to occur from June through November; heavy rainfall, high winds, storm surge and widespread flooding may accompany these storms, as well a potential for associated tornadoes. During a hurricane evacuation, a significant number of vehicles will have to be moved across the local and regional road network. The quantity of evacuating vehicles will vary depending upon the magnitude of the hurricane, publicity and warnings provided about the storm and particular behavioral response characteristics of the vulnerable population. The County must be prepared to evacuate highly vulnerable populations on critical routes, often concurrently with evacuees from outside the County. Map CST-4. Evacuation Routes identifies the designated evacuation routes and Figure 5-1. Emergency Shelters, identifies the locations of the shelters within the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-10 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Í±«®½»æÍ¬òÔ«½·»Ù®±©¬¸Ó¿²¿¹»³»²¬ôîððç The St. Lucie County Division of Emergency Management provides a coordinating point for the effective management of local emergencies to catastrophic events in and around St. Lucie County. It is the lead organization in coordinating disaster response from a municipal level to state and federal. Recovery planning and financial assistance from the State of Florida and FEMA are established through the Division's emergency operations St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-11 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 center. The County disseminates information concerning the need for residents to evacuate at various hurricane threat levels and strives to educate the general citizenry regarding emergency preparedness plans and evacuation shelter assignments. The County maintains special needs shelters. The County also strives to maintain or improve hurricane evacuations times. The County has developed and has in place a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and has in place a mutual aid agreement with the State and the local municipalities. The County also participates in the Unified Local Mitigation Strategy and the National Flood Insurance Program. The County does have defined post development disaster procedures and policies but does not have an official Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan document. Post-disaster redevelopment planning should ensure that actions needed to protect the public health and safety will receive the first priority in emergency permitting decisions. These actions include the following: 1. Repairs to potable water, wastewater and power facilities; 2. Removal of debris from roadways and required infrastructure; 3. Stabilization or removal of any structure which is about to collapse; 4. Minimal repairs to make structures habitable; and 5. Emergency repairs related to environmental damage. Additionally, post-disaster redevelopment planning should provide a basis to: 1. Ensure a means to restore economic activity; 2. Establish a framework for deciding whether to implement a temporary moratorium on building activity as may be required for public safety; 3. Develop procedures for reviewing and deciding upon emergency building permits; 4. Coordinate with State and Federal officials to prepare disaster assistance applications; 5. Analyze and recommend to the Board of County Commission hazard mitigation options, including reconstruction or relocation of damaged public facilities; 6. Recommend amendments to the Local Peacetime Emergency Plan and other appropriate policies and procedures; and 7. Ensuring timely re-entry by County residents following an evacuation. Included in post-disaster redevelopment planning should be the basis for evaluating future options for damaged public facilities following a hurricane or other disaster event; which includes but is not limited to abandonment, repair in place, relocation and reconstruction with structural modifications. The following considerations will impact final determination: 1. Construction and maintenance costs; 2. Recurring damages; 3. Impacts on land use, the environment, and the public sector; St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-12 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 4. Repair to any public facilities that are included in the inventory of the National Register of Historic Places shall be guided by the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for Rehabilitation; 5. Consistency with federal funding provisions; and 6. Consideration of structural integrity and safety. St. Lucie County falls within the Treasure Coast Regional Planning area. The Treasure Coast Region also includes Indian River, Martin and Palm Beach Counties. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Transportation Analysis Hurricane Evacuation Study, update 2003, was prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District by Post Buckley Schuh and Jernigan, Inc. The 2003 study identified the following projected data in-county clearance times for a category 1-2 hurricane and a category 3-5 hurricane, the times are shown in the following table. TABLE 5-3 County Evacuation Clearance Times Projected (2008) County Clearance Times Category 1-2 Hurricane Year 2008 Clearance Times in Hours – Category 1-2 Hurricane Low Season Occupancy High Season Occupancy Rapid Response 9.5 12.75 Medium Response 10 13 Long Response 12 14 Projected (2008) County Clearance Times Category 3-5 Hurricane Year 2008 Clearance Times in Hours – Category 3-5 Hurricane Low Season Occupancy High Season Occupancy Rapid Response 10 13.25 Medium Response 10.5 13.5 Long Response 11.25 14.25 Source: Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Transportation Analysis Hurricane Evacuation Study Update, 2003 The 2003 evacuation study also identified the critical roadway location segments within St. Lucie County as: Okeechobee Road from US 1 to Hawley Road; North Beach Causeway at US 1; Seaway Drive at US 1; US 1 from South Bridge/Seaway Drive to Orange Avenue; and Orange Avenue at I-95. Currently, improvements to Midway Road and Prima Vista Boulevard are proposed. Prior to completion of these improvements, the County proposes to reverse the flow of traffic for one eastbound lane for Midway Road, Prima Vista Boulevard and Port St. Lucie Boulevard to facility evacuation during periods of emergency evacuation. Overall the County population grew by 41% between 2000 and 2009. The County’s population includes the City of Port St. Lucie which was the fastest growing City in the nation in 2003. In 2005, the County was the second fastest growing County in Florida. During the same period, the unincorporated population grew by 10% even with St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-13 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 numerous annexations of unincorporated areas by the City of Fort Pierce. The County and unincorporated County population will continue grow and reflect development for approved DRIs, the Towns, Villages and Countryside designated area, and infill development. To address the current conditions, the Regional Planning Councils across the State and the Department of Community Affairs are in the process of re-evaluating the assessment methodologies of the existing, and dated, evacuation reports and are working on producing updated evacuation reports for each region. The County will remain apprised of these developments and review any documents produced and incorporate applicable findings as appropriate. Flooding. The County experiences flooding on a regular basis from severe thunderstorms and tropical storms. The 1992 Stormwater Master Plan document and the County staff have compiled a listing of problem areas that are known to be floodprone historically. Details are available in the Master Plan document. Overall the Master Plan confirmed, "Flooding is far more prevalent in the secondary and local network systems that drain into the primary drainage canal system. The Plan also recognizes that "throughout unincorporated St. Lucie County, many isolated areas have little or no real drainage improvements and no access to a primary or secondary drainage system." Much of this was created when land was subdivided without proper planning of drainage and drainage outfalls. Other problem areas lie within the floodplain of natural creeks or streams. Solutions to these types of problems will require extensive engineering analysis and expensive capital improvements, thus establishing a need for a dedicated funding source for Stormwater Management in the unincorporated areas of the County. Fire and Sinkhole: Fire hazards can be addressed through public education, by requiring firewise design concepts and ensuring water sources are readily available for development in vulnerable areas. In karst-sensitive areas the County can require geotechnical evaluations prior to development approvals. St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant The Florida Power and Light (FPL) St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant is located in the County on south Hutchinson Island. The population closest, within the 10 mile emergency planning zone (EPZ), to the nuclear power plant is considered at greatest risk of exposure to radiation and radioactive materials in the unlikely event of an emergency. State and local officials, together with FPL, have prepared a detailed emergency plan for people within the 10 mile EPZ of the plant. Nuclear energy production is monitored closely by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a federal agency. Daily inspections are conducted at the St. Lucie Plant to guarantee compliance. Several identical safety systems are in place so that if one fails, others automatically go to work. The purpose of radiological emergency preparedness is to protect people from the effects of radiation exposure after an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation is the most effective protective measure because it protects the whole body (including the thyroid gland and other organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure pathways. However, in situations when evacuation is not feasible, in-place sheltering is substituted as an effective protective action. In addition, administering potassium iodide is a reasonable, prudent, and inexpensive supplement to both evacuation and sheltering. When the population is evacuated out of the area, and potentially contaminated foodstuffs are interdicted, the risk from further radioactive iodine exposure to the thyroid gland is essentially eliminated. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-14 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 In the unlikely event of radiation contamination, the environmental impacts could range from modest to catastrophic on a wide ranging, long term scale. Long term commitments at the federal level will be required in the event of a significant emergency. At the local level, the County should continue to endorse the beach nourishment efforts to repair and stabilize the segment of critically eroded beach that is recognized as a threat to the power plant and should consider all current technological advances to address radiation exposure when periodically updating their CEMP. Port of Fort Pierce The 2002 update of the Port of Fort Pierce Master Plan was adopted by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, Ordinance 02-014. The Master Plan provides general goals, objectives and policies to encourage gentrification of the port through a mix of recreational, commercial residential and industrial uses. The plan was also written to strengthen local control over the port uses, and provide flexibility to ensure governmental coordination. The Port Master Plan reflects a vision of how the Port could capitalize on its unique potential for diversified maritime and other waterfront uses of both a public and private nature. That vision sees the Port as a distinctive destination, serving as a catalyst for complementary and recreational development. The Port of Fort Pierce Master Plan establishes the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners as the overall Port Authority, ensuring compliance with applicable state laws that guarantee the financial feasibility of any publicly funded infrastructure within the port. However, it is recognized in the Port of Fort Pierce Master Plan that 85% of the Port is within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Fort Pierce. The Port Sub-Element provides objectives, goals and policies for the Master Plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-15 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 COASTAL MANAGEMENT ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 75.1: Balancing growth and coastal resources. All development proposed in the future land use element in the coastal area shall occur in a manner which protects, conserves, and enhances the natural resources of the coastal area and the environmental, social and economic benefits attributed to them. Objective 75.1.1: Future Development in the Coastal Area. St. Lucie County shall continue to protect the natural resources of the coastal area from adverse impacts caused by future development through the implementation and strengthening of existing environmentally related laws and the assignment of appropriate Future Land Use designations. Policy 7.5.1.1.1 - Future development in the coastal area shall be limited to those land uses which are resource dependent or compatible with the physical and environmental characteristics of the coastal area, or to those uses which can occur without degradation of important environmental values or interference with legally used public access to coastal area shorelines. Policy 75.1.1.2 - All land development regulationsLand Development Code adopted pursuant to this element shall be consistent with: a. The Future Land Use Element and Map; b. The County's Hutchinson Island Residential Development Ordinance; c. Vested development rights; d. The County's Hutchinson Island Coastal Area Protection Ordinance, and the Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance; and e. The goals, objective and policies of this element and the Conservation Element concerning the protection, appropriate use, and conservation of natural resources. Policy 75.1.1.3 - Erosion control measures shall be limited to those that do not interfere with the natural resources and processes of the coastal area. Policy 75.1.1.4 - Future development or redevelopment within the coastal area shall provide infrastructure to service the development or redevelopment at the Level of Service standards adopted in the appropriate elements of this Comprehensive Plan, and which is consistent with the coastal resource protection, access, and safe evacuation requirements of this Comprehensive Plan, and as further provided for in the Capital Improvements Element. Policy 75.1.1.5 - The County shall continue to coordinate with appropriate State agencies in meeting the goals and policies of the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Management Plan, the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, the Indian River Lagoon Surface Water St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-16 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Improvement and Management Plan, and the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan. Coordination will consist of, at a minimum, continual participation on applicable committees and task forces as well as the provision of administrative and fiscal support. Policy 75.1.1.6 - The County shall provide eco-tourism opportunities within the coastal area in a manner that does not degrade or reduce the long-term viability of the functions and values of coastal waters and adjacent uplands. Lands purchased through Federal, State and local natural resource protection programs shall provide public access and recreational improvements in a manner that minimizes impacts to the natural areas and does not compromise the long term viability of the protected resources. Policy 75.1.1.7 - St. Lucie County land use and coastal planning area development decisions shallconduct a study that results in the provision of an eco-tourism zoning designation and land development standards that provide for the development of sustainable eco-tourism support facilities encourage and support the preservation of working waterfronts as defined in 342.07 of the Florida Statutes. Policy 5.1.1.8 - Approval for development or redevelopment of a site within the coastal planning area shall require the following conditions: a. The removal of all invasive exotic vegetation from the site; b. A site appropriate re-vegetation plan of native species; c. A long-term maintenance plan to continue to keep the site free of invasive exotic vegetation; and d. A soil stabilization plan for areas disturbed by the removal of vegetation. Policy 5.1.1.9 – Through the development review process the County shall continue to monitor the condition and characteristics of the coastal dune and other natural resources; conservation management policies shall be revised and refined as needed to remain responsive to evolving problems or issues. Policy 5.1.1.10 - The County shall continue to monitor all credible climate change and sea level rise data and what direct and potential effects this has on the coastal system natural resources. Based on this data the County shall evaluate and update the resource protection standards of the Land Development Code and this plan as necessary. Policy 5.1.1.11 The County shall direct all inappropriate future land uses away from the coastal planning area and shall ensure that its code compliance process continues to identify and address all non-compliant uses. Objective 75.1.2: Protecting Wetlands and Wildlife Habitat. The County shall support the protection, conservation, or enhancement of coastal uplands and wetlands. The County shall include within its Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code criteria and standards for the protection and enhancement of the remaining native plant St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-17 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 communities in the County. There shall be no net loss of existing wetland functions and valueswhich are regulated by Federal and State agencies. The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall include open space requirements, upland buffers and clustering of density unitsas means to protect existing coastal uplands or wetlands, and native communities. Measures to mitigate for any unavoidable impacts shall also be included. Policy 75.1.2.1 - The County shall continue to implement and enforce land development regulationsLand Development Code that require the use of native or drought tolerant vegetation adapted to existing soil and climatic conditions in landscaping in the coastal area. Policy 75.1.2.2 - The County shall require the removal and eradication of all nuisance and exotic vegetation such as Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and Melaleuca during construction of new development and replacement with native or drought tolerant plant species that are consistent with Policy 75.1.2.1. Policy 75.1.2.3 - The County shall continue to implement and enforce land development regulationsLand Development Code which requires a minimum 50- foot buffer zone of native upland and transitional vegetation along rivers, creeks, and estuaries, to be maintained from the landward extent of State waters or from mean high water of the rivers, creeks, and estuaries, whichever is greater. However, setbacks for the NorthFork of the St. Lucie River shall be governed by those set out in the Land Use Element to the extent that those requirements may be more restrictive. Policy 75.1.2.4 - A buffer zone of native upland edge (i.e., transitional) vegetation shall be provided and maintained around isolated wetlands and deep-water habitats which are constructed or preserved on new development sites. The buffer zone may consist of preserve or planted vegetation but shall include canopy, understory, and ground cover of native species only. The edge habitat shall begin at the upland limit of any wetland or deepwater habitat. As a minimum, ten square feet of such buffer shall be provided for each linear foot of wetland or deepwater habitat perimeter that lies adjacent to uplands. This upland edge habitat shall be located such that no less than 50 percent of the total shoreline is buffered by a minimum width of ten feet of upland habitat The Land Development Code shall require the installation or preservation of a native vegetative transitional buffer adjacent to all wetlands, submerged lands, or other surface waters, regardless of whether these be naturally occurring or manmade. Policy 75.1.2.5 - All Mmosquito impoundments shall continue to be assessed to determine if they provide multiple functions of marine fisheries habitat, water quality enhancement, and adequate mosquito control. Particular attention shall be given to the differences between impoundments that are managed versus those that are breached or unmanaged. Policy 75.1.2.6 - The County shall, through the development review process, in cooperation with the appropriate wetland regulatory agencies, continue to conserve and protect coastal wetlands from detrimental physical and hydrological alteration and prohibit unmitigated encroachment into coastal wetlands. The regulation of activities in, on or over wetlands or other surface waters and the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-18 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 management and storage of all surface waters shall be pursuant to applicable Local, State and Federal requirements. The most restrictive of these shall be enforced. County regulations shall include criteria to evaluate and preserve wetlands, based upon their functional characteristics including types, size, values, functions, conditions and location. Policy 75.1.2.7 - The County shall continue to evaluate erosion problems and implement erosion control measures, along Indian River Drive south of Fort Pierce. Erosion control measures shall be consistent with requirements for native or drought tolerant vegetation.Policy 75.1.2.1. Policy 75.1.2.8 - There shall be no net loss of existing wetland functions or valueswhich are regulated by Federal and State agencies. The County shall implement this policy through the site plan and building application permitting process. Any approved mitigation plan shall result in a no net loss of wetlands acreage or function within St. Lucie County, unless waived by the Board of County Commissioners. Policy 75.1.2.9 - The County shall support and implement programs, in line with the administrative and fiscal constraints of the County, to restore, enhance, and maintain the functions and values of natural waterways and adjacent upland habitats within the coastal area. Through State and local programs, St. Lucie County will continue to encourage the preservation and enhancement of floodplain wetland functions through public purchase and restoration of the floodplain wetlands and adjacent upland buffers along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon, including their natural tributaries. Policy 75.1.2.10 - Management and recreation development plans for lands purchased through State and local natural resource protection programs (Environmentally Significant Lands, Save Our Coasts, Preservation 2000) shall only allow for development that minimizes impacts to natural resources and does not degrade the long-term viability of existing natural resources on the site. Where possible all plans should assist to restore the biodiversity of plant and animal species in the coastal area while providing reasonable public access. Objective 75.1.3: Protection of Living Marine Resources. St. Lucie County shall protect, conserve, or enhance living marine resources and continue to implement regulations to reduce adverse impacts caused by development. Policy 75.1.3.1 - The County shall continue to implement the Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance. The Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance shall be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure adequate protection for sea turtles in St. Lucie County. Policy 75.1.3.2 - The St. Lucie County Manatee Protection Plan, dated March 1, 2002, is hereby included within this Comprehensive Plan by Reference. All development activities affected by this plan shall be governed accordingly. Policy 75.1.3.3 - The County shall cooperate with the appropriate regulatory and management agencies to implement comprehensive and coordinated management plans for the Indian River Lagoon in order to improve the biological health of the Lagoon. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-19 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 75.1.3.4 - St. Lucie County shall support the continued periodic monitoring of seagrass bed conditions within the County. The County shall protect shorelines containing significant seagrass habitat and shall seek to restore seagrass coverage, where possible. Policy 75.1.3.5 - St. Lucie County shall assist the FDEP upon request in establishing well marked stacking and mooring areas for ships and boats in order to protect reefs and seagrass beds. Policy 75.1.3.6 - Specific and cumulative impacts of navigation improvements to theFort Pierce Inlet upon the Sabellariid worm reefs shall be evaluated to ensure the maintenance of viable natural and educational functions of the reefs. The County shall support the mapping of the natural reefs abutting the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and the establishment of appropriate protective measures for these reefs. Policy 75.1.3.7 - Spoil islands shall be retained in public ownership and modified managedto serve as green areasfor wildlife habitat, bird roosting, nesting, and feeding areas and/or, when appropriate, water-dependent public recreation areas.Revegetation efforts on all spoil islands will utilize 100 percent native vegetation adapted to existing soil and climatic conditions and will include the elimination of exotic species The County will use native vegetation during revegetation projects and eradicate or manage for exotic species insofar as possible.if required by the appropriate State agency. The disposal of spoil material shall be consistent with Policy5.1.4.5. Policy 75.1.3.8 - Efforts between tThe County and local interest groups shall support efforts bemade to designate the St. Lucie nearshore and Oculina Reefs asFederal marine sanctuaries in accordance with the Federal Marine Sanctuary Programwith the intent of reaching this designation by January 1, 2003. Policy 75.1.3.9 -– The County shall continue to review and evaluate information on aAlternative sources for borrow material for the Fort Pierce Feeder Beach Restoration Project shall be evaluated, to eliminate the degradation of to protect nearshore and offshore natural reefs. Policy 75.1.3.10 - The County shall discourage development activities on submerged lands. Policy 75.1.3.11 - The County shall continue efforts to reconnect all impounded marshes to the Indian River Lagoon. Policy 75.1.3.12 - The County shall coordinate with pertinent State and regional agencies to identify natural area greenways and wildlife corridors to link existing public parks, preserve areas and similar public areas for conservation and habitat preservation purposes through the creation of a system of natural area greenways and wildlife corridors that will protect ecological communities in the coastal area. The greenway system shall also encourage non-motorized transportation through the connection of sidewalks and bike lanes and by locating greenway hubs in close proximity to mass transit stops. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-20 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 75.1.3.13 - The County shall continue the acquisition and preservation of environmentally significant lands to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity, integrity and productivity of ecological communities. Policy 75.1.3.14 - The County shall cooperate with and assist the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Commission in the implementation of protective and recovery programs for the West Indian Mmanatees, sSea tTurtles, and other listed species. Policy 75.1.3.15 - The County shall require that land development projects within the coastal area demonstrate nondegradation of water quality for all discharges into receiving waters designated as "Conditionally Approved" or "Approved" Department of Environmental Protection Shellfish Harvesting Area. Policy 5.1.3.16 –The Artificial Reef Program shall continue to construct diverse habitats that will benefit listed and regulated species. Objective 75.1.4: St. Lucie County shall strive to obtain or maintain water quality and trophic State index classifications of "good" for the Indian River Lagoon, Five Mile Creek, Ten Mile Creek, and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The County shall enact appropriate regulations which provide for the maintenance or improvement of water quality. Policy 75.1.4.1: No new untreated point source discharges into coastal waters for stormwater runoff and wastewater effluent will be permitted. Policy 75.1.4.2 - In order to reduce the impact of effluent from sewage treatment plants on the Lagoon, all existing regulated wastewater plants in the unincorporated areas of Hutchinson Island shall connect to regional waste treatment facilities within the applicable service areas, unless excepted by St. Lucie County through a Memorandum of Understanding. Policy 75.1.4.3 - New causeways across the Indian River Lagoon shall be prohibited in order to reduce further constriction of water circulation. New infrastructure must be demonstrated to meet all of the measures spelled out in Goal 75.1. Policy 75.1.4.4 - In order to reduce nonpoint source pollutant loadings and improve the functioning of the County's drainage system, the County shall continue to use a franchise hauler to collect residential solid waste in the urban unincorporated County. Policy 75.1.4.5 - St. Lucie County shall coordinate with, and assist, the Florida Inland Navigation District in the identification of dredge/spoil disposal sites associated with maintaining the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in St. Lucie County. Dredge disposal sites within the jurisdiction of the County should first be used to serve the needs of St. Lucie County and then, if sufficient capacity in the County sites exists, extraterritorial depositions may be permitted. All spoil from the dredging of the Lagoon shall be placed on uplands once an upland site is established. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-21 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 75.1.4.6 - The County shall prohibit shoreline alteration and construction which degrades existing estuarine productivity with exceptions such as necessary access to marine resources, and the abatement of serious and significant erosion, when the projects are not expected to result in long-term or permanent degradation of water quality or habitat value. Policy 75.1.4.7 - The County shall continue to address point and nonpoint pollution problems through its stormwater management program. The County shall request assistance from appropriate agencies in addressing high priority problems through Federal, State and Regional programs that provide technical and fiscal resources. Policy 75.1.4.8 - The County shall continue to address water quality problems identified in the data and analysis section of this element through: a. continual cooperation in SWIM (Surface Water Improvement and Management) programs; b. the implementation of the St. Lucie County Stormwater Master Plan; c. enforcement of regulations to improve control of illegal dumping into canals, ditches and waterways, and increase implementation of urban and agricultural best management practices; d. Aggressively lobbying and taking leadership to plan and locate water preserve facilities within St. Lucie County by January 1, 2005. Facilities willbe built in order to attenuate storm water discharge, eliminate agricultural pollutants, and manage salinity in the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. e. Public purchase and protection of upland buffer area along all natural waterways. Policy 75.1.4.9 - The County shall continue to construct stormwater management improvements in a manner that enhances receiving waters and provides habitat for native animal and plant species. Policy 75.1.4.10 - The County shall increase public awareness about the Indian River Lagoon and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, their diverse resources and value, as well as threats to these resources. Increase public awareness of and involvement in programs to protect, enhance and restore the estuaries, including efforts to reduce the impacts of stormwater and freshwater discharges. Policy 75.1.4.11 - The County shall continue to evaluate and update the Stormwater Master Plan to address water quality issues. Objective 75.1.5: Beaches and Dunes. St. Lucie County shall provide for the protection and restoration of beaches and dunes through enforcement and ongoing review of the Coastal Area Protection Ordinance. A comprehensive beach and dune management program shall be adopted by 2003 which enhances the natural functioning of the beach- dune system while reducing unnatural disturbances of the primary dune. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-22 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 75.1.5.1 - The County shall prohibit only allow construction seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line including construction of coastal or shore protection structures, except where upon issuance by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has issued ofthe applicable permit authorizing that construction. Policy 75.1.5.2 - Techniques for inlet maintenance which provide for long-term beach stability through facilitation of normal littoral processes shall be supported. Policy 75.1.5.3 - The beach renourishment projects currently recommended by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection shall be supported if shown to comply with the measure of Goal 75.1. Mitigation must be in kind, acre for acre or greater. Policy 75.1.5.4 - The County shall explore the feasibility for providing require provisions for public access to state owned beaches created through renourishmented projects conducted at the public's expense. Policy 75.1.5.5 - Access to the beach for newdevelopment will be confined to elevatedwalkways designed to thatprotect dune systems, subject to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approval. Policy 75.1.5.6 - The County shall enforce regulations which prohibit motor vehicles on public lands within the coastal strand and scrub upland habitats that lie east of the Coastal Construction Control Line, unless authorized by the appropriate Federal, State, or local agency. Policy 5.1.5.7 -– The Land Development Code shall provide guidelines for evaluating removal of previously existing manmade alterations on a dune, beach or shoreline system when reviewing applications for redevelopment. Policy 5.1.5.8 - The County shall support and, when appropriate, assist the conservation efforts of public and private organizations which protect and promote the protection of marine turtles and turtle nesting habitat. Policy 5.1.5.9 - The County shall maintain a program for the removal of invasive exotic vegetation, re-vegetation with appropriate species and maintenance of County-owned beaches and beach dune areas. Restoration projects shall be completed as funding is established and sources become available. Local, state, federal and private funding sources shall be pursued and used to support restoration projects. Objective 75.1.6: The County shall implement and strengthen regulations that provide for the protection, preservation, or sensitive reuse of historic resources in the coastal area, through enforcement and implementation of the including the adoption of aHistoric Preservation Ordinance by 2002. Policy 75.1.6.1 - As an alternative to preserving historic or archaeological sites, excavation of a site conducted by the Florida Division of Historic Resources or their approved alternate prior to development shall be allowed. Should a site be scientifically excavated then development may proceed without preserving the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-23 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 site unless [it is] found to be of great significance. Policy 75.1.6.2 - In the case of historic or archaeological sites, vegetation removal shall be prohibited unless the vegetation to be removed is a part of a bona fide scientific excavation or is a part of an approved development plan. Policy 75.1.6.3 - Donations of significant historic or archaeological sites shall be considered for acceptance by the Board of County Commissioners. Policy 75.1.6.4 - The County shall continue to review the effectiveness of the criteria for the identification of historic resources shall be developed for incorporation into the Historic Preservation Ordinance and amend as conditions necessitate. required pursuant to the Future Land Use Element. Policy 75.1.6.5 - The following shall be components of the Historic Preservation programaccomplished: a. The ongoing identification, designation, and mapping of any structures or sites that meet the criteria contained in developed pursuant to Policy 75.1.6.4, for incorporation into the Historic Preservation Ordinance for designation as an historic siterequired pursuant to the Future Land Use Element; and b. The submission of a list of any such designated historic resources to the U.S. Department of the Interior for inclusion of the National Register of Historic Places and Florida Department of State Division of Historic Resources for consideration for inclusion in the Master Site File. Policy 75.1.6.6 - A list of historic resources shall be continually updated as appropriate information becomes available. Policy 75.1.6.7 - Historic resources and their environments should be included and protected in public acquisition programs for recreation, open space and conservation. Policy 75.1.6.8 - By December 31, 2002, the County historic preservation shall enactregulations that will further protect the integrity of sites identified by St. Lucie County as significant historic resources. At a minimum the regulations shall provide that: a. No existing archaeological sites shall be excavated, scraped, leveled, or altered without supervision of a professional archaeologist utilizing acceptable techniques; b. An archaeological survey may be required as part of development reviews; c. If evidence of historical or archaeological value is exposed through construction or site preparation, work on that location will be temporarily suspended until evaluated by the County or their designees. Objective 75.1.7: As outlined in the Boating Facilities Siting component of the Manatee Protection Planmarina siting study, St. Lucie County shall balance the need for St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-24 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 environmental protection and restoration with the demands for public, as well as private boating facilities. Policy 75.1.7.1 - The County shall require prospective marina developers to complete the "Preliminary Screening Checklist For Marinas" and review the information with the County Planning Manager Planning and Development Service Director to discuss the potential issues for development of marinas in the Indian River Lagoon and North Fork of the St. Lucie River. An official pre- application meeting should be held with the St. Lucie County Planning Manager for early identification of siting issues. Policy 75.1.7.2 - Marinas shall be compatible with the St. Lucie County Future Land Use Map and natural resource protection standards in terms of the types and intensities of uses and the provision of methods to offset and mitigate impacts to natural coastal area resources. Policy 75.1.7.3 - New marina facilities shall be located in areas that minimize adverse environmental impacts. Policy 75.1.7.4 - St. Lucie County shall encourage the expansion of existing marina facilities and any new water-dependent development to take place in disturbed areas. Policy 75.1.7.5 - Adequate and effective measures shall be taken to prevent contamination of area waters from spillage or tank storage leakage. A fuel spill operations and contingency plan will be prepared for all new fueling operations in St. Lucie County. The plan will include operation and safety procedures and contingency plans for cleanup of a potential spill. Policy 75.1.7.6 - Due to the direct economic impact of the marine industry, St. Lucie County shall encourage continued orderly growth of this industry in a manner that maintains the economic value of coastal resources. Policy 75.1.7.7 - Public marinas, beaches, and other recreational facilities shall be sited with access to major transportation systems, including non-motorized facilities and existing and proposed mass transit stops. Policy 75.1.7.8 - New and expanded marina facilities shall utilize dry storage, where possible. St. Lucie County shall encourage the use of dry storage in a manner that protects coastal resources and adjacent lands. Review of proposed dry storage area shall consider setbacks, height limitations, parcel size, color, maintenance, etc. Policy 75.1.7.9 - St. Lucie County shall consider zoning classifications for marina development and adopt performance standards and other controlling measures cited in the marina siting study for implementation through the development review process. Goal 75.2: Reducing vulnerability to hurricanes hazards. St. Lucie County shall strive to protect the people and property in St. Lucie County from the effects of hurricane storm damage and other hazards. St. Lucie County shall weigh future development as to the impact it would have on the county's County'sability to protect the people and property in St. Lucie County from the effects of hurricanes, wildfires, sinkholes or other potential St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-25 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 hazards.storm damage. Objective 75.2.1: The County shall address development and redevelopment in the coastal area in the County's Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Policy 75.2.1.1 - The coastal high hazard area shall be defined as all of those properties located within a category one evacuation area. This area includes all mobile home parks, the barrier islands, and any area shown on the [U.S.] Army Corp of Engineers Hurricane Surge Maps as being susceptible in a category one storm surge. pursuant to Chapter 163.3178(2)(h)F.S as the area below the elevation of the category 1 storm surge line as established by a Sea, Lakes, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) computerized storm surge model. Policy 75.2.1.2 - New sanitary sewer facilities in the coastal high hazard area hurricane vulnerability zone shall be flood-proofed to prevent inflow and insure that raw sewage does not leak from them during flood events. Policy 75.2.1.3 - The construction of County-funded public facilities in the coastal high hazard area shall be prohibited, unless the facility is necessary for public access, natural resource restoration or enhancement, or to provide for recreational facilities and other appropriate water dependent facilities. Policy 75.2.1.4 - New development and redevelopment within V or A flood zones as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall employ building construction techniques which are consistent with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Program and the County's Coastal Construction Code. Policy 75.2.1.5 - The County shall prohibit the use of public funds for infrastructure expansion or improvements in coastal high hazard areas unless such funds are necessary to: a.Provide services to existing development (structures approved for development prior to the adoption of this Comprehensive Plan); b.Provide adequate evacuation in the event of emergency; or c.Provide for appropriate water dependent uses including the restoration or enhancement of natural resources within the coastal area. The County shall through land use designation and development review, regulate and limit the type of uses in the designated Coastal High Hazard Area. Protection of human life and protection of natural resource system shall be maximized. The County shall direct population concentrations away from known or predicted High Hazard Areas. Policy 5.2.1.6 - The County shall consider the most current and credible sea level rise data when planning long term infrastructure and capital improvement expenditures and land use amendments in areas less than 10 feet in elevation. Policy 5.2.1.7 - The County shall increase public awareness of hazards and their impacts by providing hazard mitigation information to the public and to County personnel. Information shall address evacuation, sheltering, building techniques to reduce hurricane and storm hazards. Additionally, wildfire safety information, and any other hazard mitigation issues that could help prevent loss of life and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-26 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 property shall be addressed. Policy 5.2.1.8 - The County shall coordinate and cooperate with emergency management officials when making land use decisions, capital improvements, and creating other planning initiatives. County planners shall incorporate the recommendations of the hazard mitigation annex of the local peacetime emergency plan and applicable existing interagency hazard mitigation reports, as deemed appropriate into planning programs. Policy 5.2.1.9 - The County shall ensure that its code compliance process continues to identify and require the removal and/or rehabilitation of structures that are a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare. Policy 5.2.1.10 - The County shall maintain consistency with the program policies of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and shall monitor new cost effective programs for minimizing flood damage. Such programs may include modifications in construction setback requirements or other site design techniques, as well as upgraded building and construction techniques. The County’s adopted flood protection regulations shall be amended as necessitated by changes in FEMA regulations. Policy 5.2.1.11 – The County shall provide public information about wildfire hazards and encourage the removal of fuel sources near structures. Policy 5.2.1.12 – The County shall consider hazard mitigation initiatives when determining capital improvement expenditures. Policy 5.2.1.13 – The County shall continue to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Interior as it pertains to their digital mapping pilot project of the CBRA zones within St. Lucie County and potential funding issues. Objective 75.2.2: The County shall promote the construction of publicly owned buildings that can be safely utilized as public hurricane shelters. Policy 75.2.2.1 - On all newly constructed public buildings, the County shall explore the feasibility of construction to the standards for utilization of the building as a qualified emergency shelter space.County-funded buildings shall include the function of public hurricane shelter in their design. Some of the elements to be considered in the design are: a.Flooding potential; b.Accessibility; c.Rain surcharge on roofs; d.Window/door glass exposures; e.The use of dedicated roll up/down hurricane shutters; f.Adequate sanitary facilities; g.Emergency power supply; and h.Emergency water supply. Policy 75.2.2.2 - Request in writing that other governmental entities in the County St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-27 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 design new buildings to the standards for utilization of the building as a qualified emergency shelter space consistent with Policy 75.2.2.1when practicable and ask the County's Emergency Management Director to review and comment on proposals for new public buildings. Policy 75.2.2.3 - Structural and functional designs of County buildings shall be reviewed and retrofitted for public shelters where it is cost effective and/or practical. Policy 75.2.2.4 - All new residential development in excess of 50 units in areas subject to coastal flooding shall provide shelter space for 20 percent of the residents at a spacing requirement of 40 square feet per person, or demonstrate the availability of the shelter space. Objective 75.2.3: The County shall maintain the worst-case 22.5-hour hurricane evacuation time. Policy 75.2.3.1 - Midway Road, and Prima Vista Boulevard shall be improved as soon as economically feasible so as to achieve and maintain a Level of Service D. Policy 75.2.3.2 - Prior to the completion of the improvements described in Policy 75.2.3.1, the direction of traffic flow for one eastbound lane of each of these roadways (Midway Road, Port St. Lucie Boulevard, and Prima Vista Boulevard) shall be reversed, if necessary, during periods of emergency evacuation. Policy 75.2.3.3 - St. Lucie County shall continue to implement the Treasure Coast Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Policy 75.2.3.4 - St. Lucie County shall require environmental impact studies and appropriate mitigation for any capital projects within the coastal area. Policy 75.2.3.5 - All hurricane evacuation studies and plans conducted by or for the County shall be provided to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, nearby counties, and all municipalities within St. Lucie County for review for consistency with regional and local plans. Conversely, St. Lucie County shall request for purposes of review, all hurricane evacuation studies and plans for nearby counties, municipalities within St. Lucie County, and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Policy 75.2.3.6 - If the Florida Department of Transportation, in conjunction with Martin County, decides to widen the Jensen Beach Bridge to South Hutchinson Island, discuss possible St. Lucie County participation in the project with the appropriate parties. Objective 75.2.4: The County shall provide immediate response to post-hurricane situations through the implementation of post-disaster response and redevelopment plans as set forth in the policies outlined belowTreasure Coast Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Policy 75.2.4.1 - After a hurricane, but prior to re-entry of the population into St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-28 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 evacuated areas, a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners shall be convened to hear preliminary damage assessments, appoint a Recovery Task Force, and consider a temporary moratorium on building activities not necessary for the public health, safety, and general welfare. Policy 75.2.4.2 - A Recovery Task Force shall be named to include the Community DevelopmentPlanning and Development Services Director, Emergency Management Director, County Engineer, and Sheriff, and other members as directed by the Chairman of the County Commission. Staff shall be provided by the departments whose directors sit on the Task Force. The Task Force shall be disbanded after implementing its responsibility. Policy 75.2.4.3 - The responsibilities of the Recovery Task Force shall include: review and issuance of emergency building permits; coordination with State and Federal officials to prepare disaster assistance applications; analysis and recommendation of hazard mitigation options to the County Commission, including reconstruction or relocation of damaged public facilities; development of a redevelopment plan; and recommendation of amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Local Peacetime Emergency Plan, and other appropriate policies and procedures. Policy 75.2.4.4 - The following post-emergency activities shall be pursued: immediate repairs to potable water, wastewater, and power facilities; removal of debris; stabilization or removal of structures about to collapse; and minimal repairs to make dwellings habitable. These actions shall receive first priority in permitting decisions. Long-term redevelopment activities shall be postponed until the Recovery Task Force has completed its tasks. Policy 75.2.4.5 - If appropriate to rebuild structures which suffer damage in excess of 50 percent of their appraised value, current requirements shall be met including those enacted since construction of the structure including the Coastal Construction Control Line. Policy 75.2.4.6 - Structures which suffer repeated damage to pilings, foundations, or load-bearing walls and are proposed to be rebuilt shall be required to rebuild landward of their current location or modify the structure to delete the areas most prone to damage. Policy 75.2.4.7 - Repair or reconstruction of seawalls shall be accompanied by beach fill or other appropriate material authorized by the appropriate Federal or State permitting agencies. Policy 75.2.4.8 - The County shall assess the value of all structures in the coastal high hazard area and the utility of the land for public accssess, and evaluate the potential for acquisition, relocation, or other appropriate measures in line with fiscal constraints when post disaster opportunities arise. Policy 75.2.4.9 - The Recovery Task Force shall review all interagency hazard mitigation reports as they are produced and make recommendations for amendments to the comprehensive plan accordingly. Policy 5.2.4.10 – By the beginning of the 20113 hurricane season, the County St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-29 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 shall develop a Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan. Policy 5.2.4.11 – The Post-Disaster Redevelopment plan should ensure that actions needed to protect the public health and safety will receive the first priority in emergency permitting decisions. These actions should, at minimum, include the following: 1. Repairs to potable water, wastewater and power facilities; 2. Removal of debris from roadways and required infrastructure; 3. Stabilization or removal of any structure which is about to collapse; 4. Minimal repairs to make structures habitable; and 5. Emergency repairs related to environmental damage. Policy 5.2.4.12 – The Post-Disaster Redevelopment plan should provide a basis to: 1. Ensure a means to restore economic activity; 2. Establish a framework for deciding whether to implement a temporary moratorium on building activity as may be required for public safety; 3. Develop procedures for reviewing and deciding upon emergency building permits; 4. Coordinate with State and Federal officials to prepare disaster assistance applications; 5. Analyze and recommend to the Board of County Commission hazard mitigation options, including reconstruction or relocation of damaged public facilities; 6. Recommend amendments to the Local Peacetime Emergency Plan and other appropriate policies and procedures; and 7. Ensuring timely re-entry by County residents following an evacuation. Policy 5.2.4.13 – The Post-Disaster Redevelopment plan should provide the basis for evaluating future options for damaged public facilities following a hurricane or other disaster event; which includes but is not limited to abandonment, repair in place, relocation and reconstruction with structural modifications. Final determination should at a minimum consider the following: 1. Construction and maintenance costs; 2. Recurring damages; 3. Impacts on land use, the environment, and the public sector; 4. Repair to any public facilities that are included in the inventory of the National Register of Historic Places shall be guided by the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for Rehabilitation; 5. Consistency with federal funding provisions; and 6. Consideration of structural integrity and safety. Goal 75.3: The amount of public access to oceanic, estuarine, and riverine coastal resources shall be increased. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-30 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 75.3.1: The County shall not experience a net loss of public beach, lagoon, and river access. The County shall continue to increase the number of parking spaces, lagoonal shoreline access, boat ramps, and non-boat fishing access points. Programs for the acquisition of public access facilities shall be consistent with the financing ability of the County. Policy 75.3.1.1 - The County shall enact regulations which provide for the maintenance of existing legally used public access to the beach and lagoon shoreline by new development, and require that existing legally used public beach access points be identified on the site plans for new beachfront development with continuation of the access point relocation of it on the site, or donation of it to the County. Policy 75.3.1.2 - The County shall require provideparking as needed for and access to all public recreation facilities. Policy 75.3.1.3 - By December 31, 200112, the County shall explore the financial feasibility of conducting a study to identify ofthose areas along State Road A1A where paveddesignated parking could be provided for access to either the beach or lagoon shall be completed. The study shall be presented to the County Commission for inclusion in the Capital Improvements Element of this Comprehensive Plan and subsequent implementation in a year decided upon by the Commission. Policy 75.3.1.4 - The recommendations of the County's Boating Facility Siting Plan shall be utilized for the identification of those areas most appropriate for the location of additional boat ramps for access to coastal waters. Policy 5.3.1.5 - In developing land use policies for shoreline uses, first priority shall be directed toward: a. Non-structural shoreline protection uses such as native shoreline re- vegetation programs; b. Approved water-dependent estuarine shoreline uses such as: fish and wildlife production, recreation, pervious accessways, small dock facilities and residential multi-slip dock facilities without commercial fuel tanks or other commercial services; c. Water related or enhanced uses such as utilities requiring access to water, water enhanced recreation, and other water related uses consistent with the land development code. Lowest priority shall be directed to non-water dependent uses. Second priority shall be directed toward water-related uses such as: a. Parking facilities for shoreline access; b. Residential structures which comply with the building code for structures within the coastal building zone; and c. Recreational facilities which comply with applicable codes. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-31 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Goal 75.4: Public facilities shall be adequate and available to serve the residents of and visitors to the county's County'scoastal area. Objective 75.4.1: The appropriate Level of Service standards within this Comprehensive Plan (including those in the Capital Improvement Element and Traffic Circulation Element) and the standards under this objective shall be applied to infrastructure facilities during the development approval process. The service area and phasing of such facilities shall be consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of this and all other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 75.4.1.1 - The County shall prohibit the use of public funds for infrastructure expansion or improvements in coastal high hazard areas unless such funds are necessary to: a. Provide services to existing development (structures approved for development prior to the adoption of this Comprehensive Plan); b. Provide adequate evacuation in the event of emergency; or c. Provide for appropriate water dependent uses including the restoration or enhancement of natural resources within the coastal area. Policy 75.4.1.2 - The County shall develop criteria for use in the implementation of the regulations required in Policy 75.4.1.1 above. When state funding is anticipated to be needed for the relocation, mitigation, or replacement of existing infrastructure in the Costal High Hazard Area, the County shall consider the feasibility and benefits of pursing such actions should funding become available. Policy 75.4.1.3 - The County shall cooperate with State and Federal guidelines for all beach renourishment projects which are consistent with the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Beach renourishment projects shall have a design life of at least five years. Policy 75.4.1.4 - The County shall prohibit development proposals that would reduce the Level of Service provided by an adjacent renourished beach below locally determined criteria. Policy 75.4.1.5 - The County shall limit future development within water and sewer service areas to the capacity of the facilities to supply the appropriate Level of Service standards established in this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 75.4.1.6 - The County shall require turn lanes, parking lanes, or other paved areas, particularly at appropriate intersections, for new or improved roads, which can be used to increase the number of traffic lanes for hurricane evacuation. Policy 75.4.1.7 - Drainage systems within the coastal area that are operating below the Level of Service standards shall be maintained in accordance with the Drainage Sub-Element of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 75.4.1.8 - The County shall continue to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida to implement the Fort Pierce Inlet St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 5-32 Coastal Management Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Management Plan, and shall act as local sponsor when the Fort Pierce Inlet Management Plan is consistent with all provisions of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. Policy 75.4.1.9 -– Within one year of adoption of the Plan amendments, the land development regulationsLand Development Code shall require that Ppublic restroom and water disposal facilities shall be provided at waterfront developments accessible by the boating public. Policy 5.4.1.10 – The County shall ensure that required infrastructure is available to serve the development or redevelopment in the coastal planning area at the densities proposed by the future land use plan, consistent with coastal resource protection and hurricane evacuation needs. Goal 7.5: By October 1, 2001, St. Lucie County shall develop a new port master plan for the Port of Fort Pierce to replace the existing 1989 Port Master Plan. Objective 7.5.1:Incorporate into the Port Master Plan existing and proposed expansions including the 1996 Port of Fort Pierce Charrette report. Policy 7.5.1.1-Develop the Port Master Plan consistent with Chapter 163.3178(2)(a--k). Policy 7.5.1.2-The Port Master Plan shall address the environmental conditions of the Indian River Lagoon and its interaction with existing and proposed port activities. Policy 7.5.1.3-The Port Master Plan shall address all aspects of port management and operation including safety and security of commercial, industrial, recreational, and environmental activities. Policy 7.5.1.4-Coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce to ensure consistency with the City's Comprehensive Plan including the Port Sub-Element and Coastal Management Element. Policy 7.5.1.5-Coordinate with the St. Lucie County MPO and other appropriate local, State, and Federal agencies to ensure adequate intermodal access and adequacy of publicfacilities and infrastructure. Policy 7.5.1.6-Develop funding mechanisms to implement the Port Master Plan such as a Tax Increment Financing District, Community Development Area, as well as exploring other funding mechanisms such asgrants. Policy7.5.1.7-Throughout the development of the Port Master Plan ensure and encourage public participation of all affected parties through a formalized public participation process. 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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Climate For St. Lucie County, the Southeast Regional Climate Center has data collected from the City of Fort Pierce that identifies from 1901 to 2008, the average annual maximum temperature is 82.1 F° and the average annual minimum temperature is 64.7 F°. The average annual total precipitation is 52.68 inches. Precipitation is not distributed evenly throughout the year. Precipitation ranges from an average monthly low of 2.14 inches in December, to 7.89 inches in September. Precipitation is heaviest from June through September; with nearly half of the annual rainfall occurring during these four months. No snowfall has been reported during this recording period. Thunderstorms are common during the summer months. Hurricanes, much less frequent occurrences, have the potential to occur from June through November; heavy rainfall, high winds, and widespread flooding may accompany these storms. Records, again tracked specific to Fort Pierce, identify that hurricanes have brushed or hit within 60 miles 24 times from 1871 through 2008. Major events occurred in 1928 and 1949. This was followed by a relatively inactive period during the 1950s when Hurricane King, a minor event, occurred. More recent occurrences were in 2004 when Hurricane Francis th with 105 MPH winds made land fall on September 5 which was followed by Jeanne th with 120 MPH winds on September 26; both storms caused significant damage to the area. Hurricane Wilma, with 105 MPH winds, passed to the south on October 25, 2005, causing moderate damage. The most recent storm event occurred when tropical storm Fay passed to the northwest on August 20, 2008 with heavy rainfall causing flooding to many locations. Soils Map FLU-3a and 3b. Soils, provides the general distribution of soils in the County as presented in the 1990 National Cooperative Soil Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Table 6-1. Soils, provides a list of the soils mapped by the NRCS. Appendix 6-A. Soil Descriptions, provides a description, as provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), of each of the soils represented in the County. Please note, the table and map do not include water bodies, frequently flooded areas, and urban lands or other areas where natural soil coverage is not evident or present. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-1 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 6-1. Soils ANCLOTE SAND NETTLES AND OLDSMAR SANDS ANKONA AND FARMTON SANDS OLDSMAR SAND ARCHBOLD SAND PALM BEACH FINE SAND ASTATULA SAND PAOLA SAND BASINGER SAND PENDARVIS AND POMELLO SANDS CANAVERAL FINE SAND PEPPER AND EAUGALLIE SANDS CHOBEE LOAMY SAND PINEDA SAND EAUGALLIE FINE SAND POMPANO SAND ELECTRA FINE SAND POPLE SAND FLORIDANA SAND RIVIERA FINE SAND HALLANDALE SAND RIVIERA SAND HILOLO LOAMY SAND SALERNO AND PUNTA SANDS HOBE SAND SAMSULA MUCK HONTOON MUCK SATELLITE SAND JONATHAN SAND ST. LUCIE SAND JUPITER FINE SAND SUSANNA AND WAUCHULA SANDS KALIGA MUCK TANTILE AND POMONA SANDS KESSON-TERRA CEIA COMPLEX TERRA CEIA MUCK KESSON MUCK WABASSO FINE SAND LAWNWOOD AND MYAKKA SANDS WABASSO SAND MALABAR FINE SAND WAVELAND-LAWNWOOD COMPLEX MCKEE SANDY CLAY LOAM WINDER LOAMY SAND MYAKKA FINE SAND WINDER SAND Physiography St. Lucie is an Atlantic Ocean coastal County located slightly south of the middle of the Florida peninsula. The County is composed of a mainland component, an estuarine lagoon, and a barrier island that is intersected by the Fort Pierce inlet. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) identifies the County as a part of an Upper East Coast sub- region, which includes Indian River, Martin and the northern portion of Palm Beach County. This sub-region covers approximately 2,174 square miles and has an average elevation of 20 feet. The rise and fall of changing sea levels formed this area which is characterized by three east to west physiographic zones: (1) the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, (2) the Eastern Valley, and (3) the Osceola Plain. The Atlantic Coastal Ridge, bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Eastern Valley, consists of relic dune ridges formed by wind and wave action along the coastline. Paralleling the east coast, the Ridge varies in width from a few hundred yards to a mile or two, and ranges in elevation from sea level to approximately 100 feet in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the highest coastal elevation within this sub-region. In general, U.S. Highway 1 and the F.E.C. Railway run along the Atlantic coastal ridge. Map FLU-4 Topography, identifies the topography of the County. The County is relatively flat with elevations ranging from 0 to 30 feet. The vast majority of the County is at 20 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-2 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 feet. The lowest elevation is found along the coastlines and the St. Lucie River. The highest elevation is along the Atlantic Coastal Ridge and the westernmost lands. Soil Erosion Due to the relatively flat topography of the County, and the protection the Barrier Island provides, soil erosion from typical geophysical conditions is generally not a problem in the mainland component of the County. However, soil erosion and sedimentation can be a problem with large scale mining and agricultural operations if recommended Best Management Practices are not followed. In the 1920’s the headwaters of the North Fork the St. Lucie River were dredged for flood control and navigation. Spoil deposited along the newly-created channel isolated both floodplain habitat and oxbows from the original river course. This left canals with steep banks and narrow remains of floodplain habitats degraded by dense stands of non-native vegetation. These altered shorelines with diminished and degraded floodplain are susceptible to erosion and have created sedimentation problems along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Restoration projects along the North Fork are proposed within a component of the federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) identified as the Indian River Lagoon - South Plan. Beach Erosion. A barrier island is by nature a migrating system and is subject to erosion, especially during storm events. Significant beach erosion occurred in 2004 with the land fall of two major hurricanes in St. Lucie County. The Critically Eroded Beaches in Florida Report, 2009 Update, produced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems, identifies 9.4 miles of critically eroded and 7.9 miles of non-critically eroded ocean shoreline in St. Lucie County. The St. Lucie County Summary from the DEP report states: There are four critically eroded areas (9.4 miles) and two non-critically eroded areas (7.9 miles) in St. Lucie County. The northern 1.8 miles of the county (R1-R10) is critically eroded threatening state Road A1A, limited development, and recreation interests and wildlife habitat at Avalon state Park. The 2.3 miles of Ft. Pierce Beach (R34-R46) extending south from Ft. Pierce Inlet is critically eroded threatening recreation and development interests. Most of this area is a beach restoration project. Along central Hutchinson Island is a 6.4-mile segment of non-critically eroded shoreline (R46-R80), which lacks any current threat. Immediately to the south is a 1.9-mile eroded segment (R80-R90.3) that threatens the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant facilities, limited development, and recreation interests at the Walton Rocks Park. Continuing to the south from this location is another 1.5-mile eroded segment (R90.3-R98) with no current threat. The southern 3.4 miles of the county shoreline (R98- R115+1000) is critically eroded with development interests threatened. The Bureau defines critically eroded as a segment of the shoreline where natural processes or human activity have caused or contributed to erosion and recession of the beach or dune system to such a degree that upland development, recreational interests, wildlife habitat, or important cultural resources are threatened or lost. Critically eroded St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-3 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 areas may also include peripheral segments or gaps between identified critically eroded areas which, although they may be stable or slightly erosional now, their inclusion is necessary for continuity of management of the coastal system or for the design integrity of adjacent beach management projects. The construction of the Fort Pierce Inlet and subsequent construction of the jetty interrupted the natural migration patterns of the barrier island and exacerbated soil erosion and accretion problems particularly within the City of Fort Pierce along Fort Pierce Beach. This portion of the shoreline is part of the ongoing beach nourishment program authorized by the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). Commercially ValuableMinerals Many areas of central and southern Florida have been utilized to mine sand and lime rock materials for road building and development activities. Other than sand or lime rock substrate, there are no commercially valuable minerals in the County. A July 2009 status report identifies there are eight (8) active, two (2) approved, four (4) pending, two (2) under application review, and thirty-two (32) inactive mining operations within the County. Floodplains The National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified the following flood zones within the County. Table 6-2. Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Zones,identifies and describes the flood zones. Table 6-2. Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Zones Zone Description A An area inundated by 1% annual chance flooding, for which no base flood elevations (BFE’s) have been determined. AEAn area inundated by 1% annual chance flooding, for which BFEs have been determined. AH Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones. AO River or stream flood hazard areas, and areas with a 1% or greater chance of shallow flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these zones. VE Coastal areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones. XAreas determined to be outside the 500-year floodplain, determined to be outside the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. Areas of minimal flood hazard from the principal source of flood in the area. X500 Areas of 500-year flood; areas of 100-year flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees ò from 100-year flood. An area inundated by 0.2% annual chance flooding St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-4 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Map FLU-5 Flood Zones, locates the boundaries of the flood zones within the County. Nearly all the mainland component of the County is an X zone, and the majority of the barrier island is an AE zone. Existing land uses found within the floodplain and flood zones are illustrated in the Future Land UseElement. Land use as it relates to the discharge of stormwater and the use of natural drainage are regulated through the South Florida River Water Management District. The Florida Building Code regulates construction as it relates to flood zones. Air Based upon ambient air quality monitoring, conducted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and documented in the 2006 Florida Air Monitoring Report, St. Lucie County, and now all of Florida, is an attainment area for the six major air contaminants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), ozone (O), nitrogen dioxide (NO), 32 particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO). The attainment area designation 2 indicates that the concentrations of major pollutants are within the acceptable limits set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air quality is a matter that must be addressed at a regional level requiring the local, County and regional entities to coordinate air quality maintenance and improvement efforts. Water Resources Map FLU-6 Water Bodies,locates the significant natural water bodies within the County. The County has significant marine, estuarine and freshwater resources. Along the east coastline is the Atlantic Ocean. Indian River Lagoon. Immediately interior to the coastal barrier island, located between the barrier island and the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, is the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). The IRL is a linear estuarine system that extends along more than a third of Florida’s east coast, over 155 miles, from Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County south to Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County. Numerous freshwater wetlands and sloughs undergo a transition into riverine systems that connect directly to the IRL. The lagoon interacts with the saline waters of the Atlantic Ocean through the inlets, providing tidal exchange with fresh water discharged into the lagoon from the inland rivers. The IRL provides a higher species diversity than any other estuary in North America. Due to the distinct characteristics of this system, portions of the IRL have been designated as Aquatic Preserves. The Vero Beach to Fort Pierce Aquatic Preserve extends from the southern Vero Beach corporate limit (Indian River County) to the north A1A bridge at Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County), and the Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve extends from the southern corporate limits of Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County) south (through Martin County) to Jupiter Inlet (West Palm Beach County). The Vero Beach to Fort Pierce Aquatic Preserve is 12 miles long and encompasses 11,000 acres. The Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve is 37 miles long and encompasses 22,000 acres. Both Aquatic Preserves were adopted under Florida Statutes, Sections 258.35 – 258.46 by the State of Florida on October 21, 1969 and are managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. The Preserves are listed in the Aquatic Preserve Rule, Chapter 18-20 Florida Administrative Code, and have also been designated as Outstanding St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-5 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Florida Water pursuant to Chapter 62.302.7 F.A.C. Additionally, a portion of the Vero Beach to Fort Pierce Aquatic Preserve designated as Class II waters afforded protection for shellfish propagation or harvesting. The IRL is one of only twenty-eight estuaries in the country in the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program. A variety of organizations have monitoring and research underway in the IRL and its watershed. The Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvements and Management (SWIM) Program has been designed to develop and execute a combination of research and practical implementation projects to protect or restore the environmental resources of the Indian River Lagoon. This joint program, administered cooperatively through the St. John's River Water Management District (SJWMD) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), has three goals: Attain and maintain water and sediment of sufficient quality to support a healthy, seagrass-based estuarine ecosystem; Attain and maintain a functioning seagrass ecosystem which supports endangered and threatened species, fisheries and wildlife; and Achieve heightened public awareness and coordinated interagency management. St. Lucie River. The St. Lucie River (SLR) is divided into four sections: North Fork, South Fork, Middle Estuary and Lower Estuary. The North Fork of the St. Lucie River falls almost exclusively within the St. Lucie County. The creation of St. Lucie Inlet in 1892 connected the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the SLR. This project ultimately converted this freshwater tributary to a riverine estuary (freshwater in the upper reaches and saltwater in the middle and lower sections). This unique salinity gradient changed the natural resources found in the SLR. Because of its geographic location and tidal connection through the St. Lucie Inlet, the North Fork supports high species diversity and serves as an important nursery ground for a variety of fish and wildlife. The river now serves as an important brooding and nursery ground for migratory fish, such as snook (Centropomus spp.), snapper (Lutjanus spp.), and opossum pipefish (Microphis brachyurus lineatus) that require estuarine and freshwater to complete their lifecycle. The river is also especially important habitat for the juvenile phases of commercially important species such as blue crabs, snook, snapper, drum and shrimp. Rare tropical peripheral fish species, such as gobies, sleepers, and pipefishes, are also found in the upper reaches of the North Fork and the two headwaters - Five Mile Creek and Ten Mile Creek. The North Fork St. Lucie River is part of Florida’s Save our OurRivers programProgram. Additionally a portion of the North Fork was designated as an aquatic preserve in 1972 and is also designated as Outstanding Florida Water pursuant to Chapter 62-302 F.A.C. The North Fork Aquatic preserve is bounded on the north by Midway Road and extends from Coconut Point in Stuart to Jenkins Point in Palm City just west of the Roosevelt Bridge in Martin County. The eastern and western boundaries of the preserve encompass the state-owned sovereign submerged lands occurring below the mean high water line to which the state holds title. The preserve is approximately 16 miles long through the natural riverbends and contains approximately 5,000 acres. The North Fork is located in the Eastern Valley region which is composed of long, low narrow ridges ranging from 15 to 30 feet in elevation. The natural topography of the watershed is generally flat with few natural rises. The hydrology of the North Fork and its St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-6 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 headwaters was altered in the early to mid 1900s to support the growing demands of development and navigation. This began with a network of agricultural and residential canals and drainages. The canals were primarily designed to address flood control and drainage for land reclamation. Prior to these drainage efforts, the North Fork St. Lucie River (SLR) watershed encompassed 187 square miles. Construction of these drainage canals expanded the watershed to 821 square miles by diverting flows from other areas to the North Fork. Another flood control and navigation project was conducted from the 1920s to the 40s to straighten portions of the North Fork. In the process of straightening the river, the dredged spoil was piled into berms (mounds) along the banks of the new channel. These spoil piles, which can measure up to 50 feet wide and 25 feet tall, block former river bends and oxbows as well as isolate a large portion of the North Fork floodplain. Historically, the slow and meandering path of the North Fork allowed suspended solids to settle out of the water and nutrients to be filtered by vegetation, but the direct river- course does not, which now effects the water quality and sediment loads reaching the estuary. Drainage Canals. The County has three major primary drainage and flood control canals, the C-23, C-24 and C-25 which are part of the Central and South Florida Flood Control project and are managed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). In addition, the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District and the St. Lucie River Water Control District manage numerous secondary canal systems. These canals are solely dependent on rainfall as a source of inflow and are important sources of agricultural irrigation water. Canals C-23, C-24 and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Water Control District canals drain into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and its major tributaries. The C-25 Canal and Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (Basin 1) canals empty directly into the Indian River lagoon nearly opposite the Fort Pierce Inlet. At this time, all but a small area in southwestern and northeastern St. Lucie County is drained by these primary and secondary canal systems. Alteration and expansion of the historic watershed coupled with ecologically-degrading land use practices have set the stage for the current impaired condition of the North Fork and most other SLR watershed basins. Prior to these manmade alterations, wet season rains pooled broadly across the SLR watershed and moved toward the naturally lower elevations surrounding the river. Historic wetland ecosystems facilitated dynamic watershed storage and sheet flow. Reduced movement through natural features kept wetlands flooded and provided for movement of groundwater to the river during the dry season. This made historic wetlands and estuaries less vulnerable to Florida's variable rainfall.Today, much of the watershed runoff from the North Fork drainage basins flows quickly from smaller, residential canals into large canals that cross the coastal ridge instead of being detained, evaporated, cleansed, and held by natural systems. The Savannas. A unique freshwater ecosystem is located in a shallow catchment area between the steeper western slope of the Atlantic Ridge and the gentler slope to the eastern uplands. A large portion of this habitat is under public ownership and is referred to as The Savannas. The Savannas Leisure Recreational Area, located within the City of Fort Pierce, is utilized as an outdoor recreation area providing camping, boating, fishing, and picnic facilities. The area, managed by the St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Department, covers 581 acres and contains five distinct biological communities: including pine flatwoods, wet prairie, marsh, freshwater lake and scrub. The 6,311 acre St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-7 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Savannas Preserve State Park under the ownership and management of the State is adjacent to the recreational area. Outside of the Savannas, inland freshwater wetlands and swamps also occur throughout the County. Map FLU-7. Wetlands, locates the wetland habitat in the County. Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area. Nearing completion of constructedion is a feature of the IRL – SWIM Plan referred to as the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area (WPA). This is one of the largest stormwater and restoration improvement projects to impact the St. Lucie Estuary and River in advance of the federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) IRL - South Plan proposed projects. This project is situated at the headwaters of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve and the total site is 910 acres. Ten-Mile Creek runs west to east across the northern portion of the site. This project involves the construction of an above ground reservoir with a pump station for filling the reservoir from Ten-Mile Creek and a gated water-level control structure for the release of water back to the creek. The total project will consist of a 500-acre reservoir, a polishing cell of roughly 110 acres and an adjoining natural preserve area consisting of scrub habitat and a borrow pit. Based upon existing topography, stored water depths in the reservoir will average ten feet. Total storage capacity will be approximately 5,000 acre-feet. The height of the reservoir levee will range from about 12 to 15 feet above surrounding natural ground. The purpose of the Ten Mile Creek WPA is the seasonal or temporary storage of stormwater from the Ten-Mile Creek Basin. The Ten-Mile Creek Basin is the largest sub- basin and contributes the second largest volume of stormwater to the St. Lucie River Estuary. Stormwater will be captured in the reservoir and then passed through a polishing cell for additional water quality treatment before being released into the North Fork. Stored water can be released in the drier winter months to augment current insufficient flows. Indian River Lagoon-South Plan. The component of the federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP), referred to as the IRL - South Plan proposes the following projects within St. Lucie County. The IRL-South Final Project Implementation Report describes these projects as follows: C-23/24 North Reservoir. This feature is located on the west side of C- 24 between control structures G-81 and G-79 and includes a 4,399-acre aboveground reservoir with a maximum depth of 12-feet. The total storage capacity of the reservoir is approximately 48,500 acre-feet. The purpose of this component is to capture local runoff from the C-23 and C- 24 Basins. The pump station will be designed to provide up to 900-cubic feet per second (cfs) removal rate from C-24 canal. This water can then be routed to the C-23/24 STA or returned to C-23 or C-24 when there is a need to reclaim storage capacity or meet a water supply demand. The component is designed for stormwater attenuation to the estuary to control salinity and to provide an additional source of agricultural water supply. This component is also expected to provide incidental water quality benefits by reducing loads of nutrients, pesticides, and other pollutants. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-8 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 C-23/24 South Reservoir. This feature is located north and west of C-23 between control structures G-78 and G-79 and includes a 4,155-acre aboveground reservoir with a maximum depth of 12-feet. The total storage capacity of the reservoir is approximately 43,400 acre-feet. This component functions very much like the C-23/24 North reservoir. The pump station will be designed to remove up to 900 cfs from the C-23 canal. Approximately 10,560 feet of Canal C-23 will be re-routed around the reservoir levee as part of the seepage canal system. The abandoned section of the canal will be left in place as an approach to the drawdown structure S-413 and as a fish refuge area. C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area (STA). The STA is located east of C-24 between control structures G-81 and G-79. It is designed to remove 80% of the phosphorus from stormwater entering the C-23/24 reservoirs. This facility will be a multi-cell STA covering approximately four square miles. The primary discharge from the STA will be into the header canal of the North SLR Water Control District. A 250-cfs pump station will transfer water from the C-23/24 North Reservoir into the STA. It is expected that the STA will be operated to discharge primarily into the header canal and then directed toward Ten Mile Creek. Other discharge options include C-25 and C-24. Approximately one mile of Sneed Road . (State Road 613) will be abandonedThis component of the recommended plan includes water quality features considered essential to Everglades restoration. Cypress Creek Complex - Natural Storage and Treatment Area. The Cypress Creek Complex - Natural Storage and Treatment Area, is located in St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties and includes 32,639 acres of primarily pastureland, along with some of the last remaining large tracts of forested wetland habitat in St. Lucie County. This land has been identified for use as alternative storage, rehydration, habitat restoration, and water quality improvements. The parcels consist primarily of the V-2 Ranch, lands around Cypress Creek and remnants of Bluefield Ranch. By rehydrating these drained pastures, large volumes of water will be attenuated on-site during the rainy season, providing a low cost alternative to reservoir storage. C-25 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area. This feature includes a 741-acre aboveground reservoir with a maximum depth of 8-feet and a 163-acre STA. The Reservoir will capture the first 0.4 inches of runoff from both the C-25 Basin and the Fort Pierce Farms Basin (approximately 147,225 acres). The STA was sized to treat 80% of the phosphorus load entering the STA from the reservoir. The total storage capacity of the reservoir and STA is approximately 5,392 acre-feet and is located north of and adjacent to C-25 at the S-99 structure. The purpose of this component is to capture and treat local runoff from the C-25 Basin and from the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (FPFWCD). Stormwater will be pumped into the reservoir from the C-25 Basin and from a new canal connection to the FPFWCD. The pump station will be designed to remove up to 250 cfs from the C-23 canal. Water will be released from the reservoir through the STA where sediment, nutrient and other St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-9 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 pollutant loads will be reduced. Water from the STA will be released into C-25, and from C-25 into the IRL. Water captured in the reservoir will also be available to augment water supply following the end of the summer rainy season North Fork Floodplain Restoration The North Fork of the St. Lucie River was dredged during the 1920’s as a part of early drainage improvements in the region. The dredging operation cut off many oxbows and created berms that disconnected the river channel from the adjacent floodplain. This feature includes acquisition and preservation of approximately 3,100 acres of floodplain and adjacent lands, which will receive an additional 64,500 acre-feet of flow via the northern diversion efforts. Preserving lands within the North Fork corridor provides significant environmental improvement in the health of this portion of the river by preventing such degradation as increased stormwater runoff, increased turbidity, and increased influence of exotic plants and animals from the surrounding areas that are under significant development pressure. The North Fork lands are extremely important in linking the estuary to the watershed. Preservation will provide such water quality and environmental benefits as removing nutrients, maintaining valuable wading bird habitat, and serving as a nursery for many of the recreationally and commercially important fish species that spend certain life stages in this area. Muck Remediation. Muck remediation involves the removal of accumulated muck within the SLE St. Lucie Estuary from areas that are effectively “dead zones.” Muck accumulation has covered substrate that once supported healthy submerged aquatic vegetation and oyster communities. Removal of this sediment would greatly improve estuarine conditions by exposing this substrate making it suitable for colonization by target species. Removing the muck would also improve water quality conditions for target species by improving the clarity of the water and reducing sunlight attenuation, especially critical for re-colonization and growth of submerged aquatic vegetation. Two of the four areas targeted for remediation are located in the North Fork. LAND COVER Map FLU-8 Habitats Map, locates the land coverage habitats of the unincorporated area of the County as recognized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). The following table identifies and provides the acreage and percentage of each of the land covers. A variety of the historic native vegetative upland and wetland communities still exist throughout the County; these occupy nearly 30% of the County, but for the most part are relatively fragmented. More than 60% of the area is recognized as disturbed or agricultural with less that 8% urbanized. Appendix 6-B Habitat Descriptions, provides a description of the habitat coverage types mapped by the FWCC. The land coverage can broadly be categorized into Agricultural, Disturbed/Developed, Native Habitats, and Water/Wetland. As mapped, roughly 58% of the area falls under the Agricultural category, 14% is Disturbed/Developed, 15% is Native Habitats and 13% is St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-10 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Water/Wetlands. Agriculture comprises more area than the other coverage categories combined. TABLE 6 - 3. HABITAT COVERAGE HabitatCategoryAcreage Percentage Citrus Agriculture 105,800.26 37.35% Improved Pasture Agriculture 52,645.34 18.59% Other Agriculture Agriculture 2,123.03 0.75% Row/Field Crops Agriculture 1,839.39 0.65% Unimproved Pasture Agriculture 438.45 0.15% Category Total162,846.48 57.50% Habitat Category Acreage Percentage Bare Soil/Clearcut Disturbed/Developed 17,961.07 6.34% Exotic Plants Disturbed/Developed 159.28 0.06% Extractive Disturbed/Developed 471.72 0.17% High Impact Urban Disturbed/Developed 14,650.63 5.17% Low Impact Urban Disturbed/Developed 6,581.75 2.32% Category Total39,824.45 14.06% Habitat Category Acreage Percentage Coastal Strand Native Habitats 131.76 0.05% Cypress/Pine/Cabbage Palm Native Habitats 135.55 0.05% Dry Prairie Native Habitats 13,861.32 4.89% Grassland Native Habitats 76.34 0.03% Hardwood Hammocks and Forest Native Habitats 4,016.80 1.42% Mixed Pine-Hardwood Forest Native Habitats 225.50 0.08% Pinelands Native Habitats 21,966.82 7.76% Sand Pine Scrub Native Habitats 979.44 0.35% Sand/Beach Native Habitats 298.50 0.11% Shrub and Brushland Native Habitats 1,957.62 0.69% Xeric Oak Scrub Native Habitats 317.92 0.11% Category Total43,967.58 15.52% Habitat Category Acreage Percentage Bay Swamp Water & Wetlands 815.44 0.29% Cypress Swamp Water & Wetlands 2,619.03 0.92% Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie Water & Wetlands 10,581.98 3.74% Hardwood Swamp Water & Wetlands 6,149.20 2.17% Mangrove Swamp Water & Wetlands 4,309.97 1.52% Mixed Wetland Forest Water & Wetlands 1,551.25 0.55% Open Water Water & Wetlands 7,747.11 2.74% Salt Marsh Water & Wetlands 239.76 0.08% St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-11 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 HabitatCategoryAcreage Percentage Shrub Swamp Water & Wetlands 2,579.99 0.91% Category Total36,593.73 12.92% Grand Total Coverage Acreage 283,232.23 The FFWCC map is not parcel based but looks at all habitats within the unincorporated County limits; it does not exclude lakes, roadways and public right of way lands. Therefore, it is important to note that the acreage identified by the FFWCC map may not directly correspond to the acreage totals established in the future or existing land use maps, which are parcel based. Additionally, on the FFWCC map an individual parcel may contain multiple habitats, such as urban, pineland and open water. Natural Habitats Listed and other animal species depend on native vegetative communities for refuge, foraging, nesting, and denning. The size, quality and connectivity of native communities all influence wildlife utilization. Appendix 6-C.Listed Wildlife Species, identifies those federal and state listed wildlife species that may be found within the County. Appendix 6-D. Native Plant Species, provides a list of native plant species having the potential to occur in the County, and identifies those that are listed as either threatened or endangered by federal and State agencies. Appendix 6-E. Invasive/Exotic Pest Plant Species, provides a list of the invasive exotic pest plant species that may occur in the County. Invasive exotic plant species have the capacity to disrupt, and disturb and displace native plant communities, and associated dependent wildlife.displace the wildlife that depend on the native communities. The FFWCC recognize and map areas of invasive coverage in their habitat land coverage mapping program. The mapped invasive coverage within the County is limited to such a degree that only 0.06% coverage appears on the FFWCC map. Conservation Opportunities Conservation opportunities are enhanced through the public ownership of land. In 1991, the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners formed the Land Acquisition Selection Committee (LASC), which was charged with the task of preparing a proposal for public acquisition or protection of significant natural areas in the County. The LASC still serves as an advisory body to the Board of County Commissioners. In November, 1994, St. Lucie County voters approved a bond referendum authorizing issuance of ad valorem tax bonds, not to exceed $20 million, to participate in state and federal land acquisition programs targeting the protection of natural areas. The St. Lucie County Environmental Lands project began in 1994 with the passage of this local bond program. On December 7, 1995, Spruce Bluff, a 97-acre site along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, was the first site acquired through the Environmentally Significant Lands program. Since that time, over 7,355 acres have been acquired and more land has been identified for protection through public acquisition. TheIRL-South SWIM Plan identifies that restoration of 2,984 acres along the North Fork St. Lucie River is proposed and that 1,600 acres were purchased and are managed by St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-12 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 local, state, and regional agencies. Since 1994, the Conservation and Recreation Lands Program, the SFWMD Save Our River’s Program, Florida Communities Trust, and the County’s Environmental Lands program combined have spent about $7 million on lands acquisition along the North Fork and over $1 million on removal of exotic plants. The Recreation and Open Space Element provides greater detail and lists the recreation and preservation lands within the County. Less than 8% of the unincorporated County land is urbanized. Nearly 30% of the land is still recognized as historic native vegetative upland and wetland communities. The remaining +60% is agriculture, clear-cut, extractive or exotic coverage; which, under most circumstances, has the potential for reclamation or restoration. Therefore, a very significant portion of the County still has the potential for restoration of native communities. WATER RESOURCES Potable Water On a regional level, St. Lucie County is located within the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). More specifically it is located in the Upper East Coast (UEC) Planning Area consisting of St. Lucie and Martin counties and eastern Okeechobee County with boundaries encompass over 1,230 square miles and generally reflecting the watersheds of the C-23, C-24, C-25 and C-44 canals. The 2004 Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan Update (2004 UEC Plan Update) and the 2006 Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan Amendment (2006 UEC Plan Amendment) provides details on the current and projected water supply for this planning area. The Executive Summary of the 2006 UEC Plan Amendment states: The UEC Planning Area’s projected population growth over the next 20 years will significantly impact the region’s public water demands, particularly in the urban sector. The UEC Region’s total population is expected to increase from 320,664 in 2000 to about 584,927 residents by 2025. This estimate is 20 percent higher than the population estimate projected in the 2004 UEC Plan Update. Development of alternative water supplies will play a vitally important role in meeting water needs, as further development of traditional supplies becomes increasingly limited. While public water supply water withdrawal needs are projected to increase by 65 million gallons per day (MGD) with the region’s projected rapid growth, and agricultural water demand is forecasted to decrease 7 percent, agriculture will remain the Upper East Coast Planning Area’s largest water user. The largest percentage of change in urban water demand over the next 20 years will be in the thermoelectric power generation self-supply sector as three new power generation facilities are projected to be located in this region. As a result of this water supply planning process, new public water supply capacity is expected to exceed Year 2025 demands. The utilities have identified sufficient projects to meet the projected water needs for the Year 2025, and projects specific to each major public water supplier are included in this plan amendment. Forty-seven alternative water supply projects and one traditional water supply project were submitted by local utilities for this UEC Plan Amendment. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-13 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Potable Water Sub-Element focuses on the public and domestic self-supply demand for the County and provides specific data on the public water sources, treatment and distribution systems. Detailed information can also be found in the St. Lucie County 10- Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan. St. Lucie County also has an adopted Wellfield Protection Ordinance. Ground Water The South Florida Water Management District identifies that agriculture is the major land use in the Upper East Coast (UEC) Planning Area, with citrus being the dominant crop. Water for urban and agricultural uses in the UEC Planning Area comes from three main sources: the Floridan Aquifer System (FAS), the Surficial Aquifer System (SAS) and surface water. Surface water from the C-23, C-24, C-25 and C-44 canals is used primarily for agricultural irrigation, with the FAS used as a backup source during periods of low rainfall. The SAS has been the principal source for public water supply and urban irrigation. Withdrawals from the SAS have been maximized along the coast and alternative water supplies are being developed to meet the growing water needs. These include the FAS as a source of drinking water and reclaimed water for irrigation water. The SAS and surface water are dependent upon rainfall for recharge. There are four primary drainage canals in the UEC Planning Area that are part of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project. These canals (C-23, C-24, C-25 and C-44) have also become important sources of irrigation water within their respective drainage basins. The C-44 Canal was constructed as a navigable flood control outlet for Lake Okeechobee. The C-44 is the only one of the four canals that receives inflow from outside its drainage basin. The C-23, C-24 and C-25 canals, by contrast, are solely dependent on rainfall as a source of inflow. As a result of the large demand for this limited surface water supply, there are prohibitions for any new or expanded water supply uses of these three canals. The Floridan Aquifer is used by growers as a supplemental source when surface water availability is limited, and as a primary irrigation source when surface water is not available. In most cases, water from the Floridan Aquifer has a high salinity (relative to surface water) and has to be blended with surface water or water from the Surficial Aquifer before it is used for irrigation. Currently, most of the public water supply for the region comes from the shallower Surficial Aquifer as it has better quality water. The Floridan Aquifer in the UEC Planning Areas is a relatively unused water source for public water supply, as it located approximately 900 feet below land surface. However, the use of the Floridan Aquifer by utilities is increasing and most coastal utilities in the region plan to use the Floridan Aquifer to meet their future needs. Utilities either blend the Floridan water with fresh water or treat it using reverse osmosis. Because of its diffuse and intermittent nature, stormwater is not generally considered a viable option for direct public-supply applications where reliability is a major consideration. Stormwater management practices that provide for increased soil infiltration and groundwater recharge opportunities should be considered as a means to protect and possibly enhance existing groundwater resources. Following is a summary of water supply issues in the UEC Planning Area. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-14 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Increased withdrawals from the Surficial Aquifer System are limited due to potential impacts on wetlands, as well as the increased potential for saltwater intrusion. Surface water availability in the C-23, C-24 and C-25 canals is not sufficient to meet existing and projected agricultural demands. Freshwater discharges (minimums and maximums) are affecting the health of the St. Lucie River and Estuary, southern Indian River Lagoon and the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. Surface Water Compared to most groundwater sources, surface water sources generally are of lower quality. Surface waters tend to contain silts and suspended sediments, algae, dissolved organic matter from topsoil, and chemical and microbiological contaminants from municipal wastewater discharges, stormwater runoff, and industrial and agricultural activities. The quality of surface water may vary seasonally with variation in flow rates or water levels. Traditionally, surface water has not been used for public supply in the SFWMD. Pollutants Waste generators, solid waste facilities, above and underground storage tanks, and dry cleaning facilities are licensed and regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Current information on these facilities is available through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Waste Management. Information on contaminated sites is also available through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), Superfund, National Priorities List and Brownfield databases. An October 2009 database search identifies that at this time there are no sites in the County listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Federal Superfund list or the National Priorities List (NPL). There are no designated or candidateis one Brownfieldsbrownfieldin the County (BSE). Currently there are eight sites within the County registered in the State Dry Cleaning Solvent Clean-up Program. Map CON-1 DEP Licensed Facilities, identifies the facilities licensed by DEP within the County. The County can discourage residential source contamination through close coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and by providing public information regarding the safe disposal of chemicals. Specifically, information can be made available on free disposal of household hazardous wastes, information on disposal contractors available to small businesses and the special waste programs available for landfill disposal of non-typical materials, such as spill clean-ups and contaminated soils. Nuclear Power Plant. The Florida Power and Light (FPL) St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant is located on South Hutchinson Island in the southern portion of the County. Nuclear energy production is monitored closely by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, (NRC) a federal agency. Daily inspections are conducted at the St. Lucie Plant to guarantee compliance. Several identical safety systems are in place so that if one fails, others automatically go to work. In the unlikely event of an emergency, that could potentially result in the release of nuclear contamination, the environmental impacts could range from modest to catastrophic on a wide ranging, long term scale. Long term commitments at the federal level will be required in the event of the release of nuclear contaminants. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-15 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Coastal Management Element provides details on evacuation and protection plans. GREEN HOUSE GAS (GHG) REDUCTION STRATEGIES St. Lucie County has a long, established history of leadership and strong public support for creating a sustainable community. In 1995, the St. Lucie County Economic Development Base Study was completed and a subsequent visioning process resulted in a “Vision St. Lucie” document. The visioning process was a joint effort of government, business and local residents that charted a course for sustainable economic development. The synergy between the education, business and public sectors continues to flourish today. The County has implemented a variety of sustainable land use programs and policies. The 2002 update of the County’s Comprehensive Plan incorporated smart growth policies and an economic element to promote a sustainable tax base while protecting against loss of open space and natural systems. More recently, the board implemented a specific model of sustainable development in the North County area, called Towns, Villages and Countryside (TVC). The process included numerous public meetings and resulted in criteria consistent with smart growth and sustainable development, including transect-based neighborhood planning with grid transportation networks, interconnected greenways and blueways, and low impact development standards. The TVC regulations were approved by the Board of County Commissioners in May 2006. In 2006, the Board of County Commissioners created an Environmental Resources Department and passed the Sustainability Resolution (06-272), establishing sustainability as a primary goal of the County. The Board also created the Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee, made up of citizens, and government and business representatives, to make policy recommendations on sustainable practices. The Sustainability Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the St. Lucie County Greenprint document. The Board created the Smart Growth Committee and Environmental Advisory Committee to recommend changes to the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Codes consistent with smart growth principles and environmental protection. Over the last few years, these committees have reviewed and made recommendations that foster sustainable practices on a variety of revisions to St. Lucie County’s policies and regulations. St. Lucie County became the catalyst for sustainability by hosting the Treasure Coast Green Conference in 2007 and 2008. The conference brought together representatives from a six-county area including the development community, state and local government entities, business leaders, and key stakeholders. St. Lucie County adopted a Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trails Master Plan in 2008 to develop alternative transportation systems and walkable, people-friendly communities. The County also completed the Evaluation and Appraisal Report, an 18- month evaluation of the Comprehensive Plan, which included numerous recommendations to strengthen the County’s regulations in support of sustainable development and resource protection. In addition, the Land Development Code was updated to provide more stringent protection of native trees and other vegetation. The St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-16 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 County is currently commissioning a comprehensive study of wetlands to further protect and improve wetland functions. Since 2008, the County has been working with the agricultural industry, landowners, and the public to identify strategies to preserve prime agricultural lands. A study is currently underway to develop a long-term strategy for enhancing agriculture and preserving habitat in western St. Lucie County, including a transfer of development rights program. Another outstanding example of the Board’s vision for sustainability is the Treasure Coast Research Park. Situated on 1,650 acres, it is one of the largest research parks in the nation. The park is dedicated to aiding in the economic development of the Treasure Coast by supporting industries invested in innovation and commercialization of scientific research, with a special emphasis on “clean” alternative energies and agricultural biosciences. A neighborhood charrette process is also being initiated to identify land uses and transportation networks needed to support the Research Park. St. Lucie County Government has incorporated sustainability by using industry approved green building standards in new construction. In 2008, the Havert L. Fenn Center was built to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) standards. This 62,575 square foot facility serves as a community center throughout the year but is specifically built and equipped to provide shelter from hurricanes for citizens with special needs. In addition, the new 57,000 square foot Clerk of Courts building was constructed to USGBC standards and includes a single-ply membrane roof, movable walls, low flow plumbing fixtures, and raised flooring for higher air conditioning efficiency. The Board created the Office of Sustainability and Business Development in 2009 to assist with county-wide sustainability initiatives, energy conservation strategies, and climate protection program development. The Sustainability/Business Development Coordinator is also responsible for coordinating energy and green technologies with local business, green collar initiatives, and job growth incentives. Finally, in the face of significant stress on its economic foundation and the resulting negative impact on the County’s communities and citizens, the Board initiated its own local economic stimulus program. The program is projected to create more than 500 jobs for the local economy. St. Lucie County Greenprint. In 2008, the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation by the Sustainability Committee to pursue Green Local Government Certification through the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. (FGBC). The Florida Green Local Government Certification process provides a systematic way for local governments to assess its level of sustainability and to incorporate multiple environmental, ecological and sustainability features throughout its operations to reduce consumption and increase efficiency; saving taxpayer dollars and the environment. The application for the “Green Local Government” adopted certification by the Board of County Commissioners in July 2009 has become St. Lucie County’s ‘Greenprint’, defining and outlining the County’s vision for a sustainable future. The St. Lucie County ‘Greenprint’ contains the following goals for achieving a sustainable community: St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-17 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Goal I: Conserve, Protect and Restore Natural Resources; Goal II: Implement Sustainable Development and Building Standards; Goal III: Improve Community Transportation and Mobility; Goal IV: Support Energy Conservation and Clean Energy Alternatives; Goal V: Develop a Sustainable Green Economy Goal VI: Promote Sustainable Communities and Social Equity; Goal VII: Strengthen Green Government Policies and Practices Specific actions as part of FGBC’s Green Local Government certification, including: Establishing the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED), and the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) standards as officially recognized ‘green’ standards within the County; Establishing policy to construct and renovate county buildings to USGBC or FGBC standards to the extent feasible; Utilizing Florida Friendly Landscaping™ standards, Integrated Pest Management principles, and Best Management Practices or similar/greater standard for all county owned and maintained properties; Requiring all county facilities have recycling programs in place; Utilizing street design standards such as “Street Design Guidelines for Healthy Neighborhoods” as described by Walkable Communities Inc.; Adopting Environmentally Preferred Purchasing policies to the extent feasible; and Adopting green cleaning and green maintenance techniques such as those described by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to the extent feasible. These practices and additional policies that enhance energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions have been incorporated into the Future Land Use, Transportation, Conservation, and Housing Elements. In 2010, St. Lucie County was certified as a Florida Green Local Government (Gold Level). Solar and Energy Loan Fund. In 2010, the County received a $2.9 million energy block grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a $20 million solar and energy loan fund. The program is intended to reduce the upfront cost of installing energy efficiency and conservation measures as well as renewable energy technology in homes and businesses. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-18 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 CONSERVATION ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 86.1: The natural resources of St. Lucie County shall be protected, appropriately used, or conserved in a manner which maximizes their functions, and values. Objective 86.1.1: Air quality within St. Lucie County shall meet or surpass National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for all pollutants measured by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Policy 86.1.1.1 - Annually review existing air quality reports and confer with the FDEP on the source(s) of air quality violations and the proper abatement methods. If needed, regulations will be developed coordinate with the FDEP in their efforts to enforce clean air standards. Policy 86.1.1.2 - St. Lucie County shall facilitate development that maximizes energy efficiency and sustainability. This shall include implementing Land Development Code standards that promote the types of land use patterns and development techniques that will reduce the total fossil fuel energy required to build and maintain urban land uses. This shall include standards that promote mixed land use patterns, urban infill, public transit and provide non-motorized interconnections between land use types to reduce auto dependence and vehicle miles traveled. Policy 86.1.1.3 - Land Development Code shall incorporate performance standards which combat erosion and generation of fugitive dust particles. The County land development regulations shall address requirements to reduce the amount of total suspended particulates from construction activities. At a minimum, construction practices including but not limited to seeding, wetting, and mulching which minimize airborne dust and particulate emission generated by construction activities shall be undertaken within five working days of completion of clearing work. Policy 86.1.1.4 - The County land development regulations shall address excessive dust and suspended particulates with regard to site clearing and stabilization, vegetation removal, and other factors associated with construction.The County shall continue to support, seek additional funding sources for, and implement the Greenways and Trails Master Plan to facilitate and encourage alternative transportation means. Policy 86.1.1.5 -The County shall enact additional land development regulations which prevent air pollution if FDEP air quality report indicates that NAAQS are not being met. The County shall review implementable measures that would effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and as financially feasible, enact effective measure to reduce emissions generated by County government operations and by policies effecting community-wide functions. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-19 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 86.1.2: The County shall continue to enforce land development regulationsLand Development Code provisions which require the conservation, appropriate use, and protection of surface waters. Policy 86.1.2.1 - The County’s land development regulationsLand Development Code shall address comprehensive stormwater management including the following: a. The use of stormwater detention and/or retention; b. Stream bank and shoreline buffer zones; c. General design and construction standards for on-site stormwater management; d. Best Management Practices for urban and agricultural development; and e. Standards for new discharges to Outstanding Florida Waters. Policy 86.1.2.2 - St. Lucie County shall continue to implement stormwater improvement projects consistent with the Stormwater Management Plan and apply for state and federal funding programs to supplement local programs in the implementation and construction of stormwater management projects. Policy 86.1.2.3 - St. Lucie County shall evaluate the use of the following mosquito control techniques during the development of the new stormwater regulations: a. Maintenance of any required littoral areas and upland buffers; b. A one-foot or other appropriate buffer between the bottom of stormwater ponds and the water table; and c. Fish ponds for use during low water periods. Policy 86.1.2.4 - St. Lucie County shall support the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the CERP IRL – South Projects, the IRL National Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, and any other Sstate, Ffederal or regional projects designed to achieve request from the South Florida Water Management District with appropriate administrative and/or fiscal support, a project which evaluates the economic and environmental feasibility of a reservoir in the County. At a minimum, the project should consider reductions of direct run-off freshwater inputs and stormwater pollutants to the surface waters within the County, as well as conservation of water resources. Policy 86.1.2.5 -– Within one year of amending the Comprehensive Plan tThe land development regulationsLand Development Code stormwater management provisions shall be adopted to require a vegetated and functional littoral zone to be established as part of the surface water management system of upland water bodies occurring on development sites. Policy 86.1.2.6 - St. Lucie County shall encourage the preservation of natural scenic views of natural waterways through the site plan review process. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-20 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 86.1.2.7 - The County shall not support the reclassification of any surface water body within County boundaries to acknowledge lower water-quality conditions unless necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. The County shall support any effort to reclassify surface water bodies to accommodate higher standards. Policy 86.1.2.8 - The County shall take an active role in supporting the funding anddevelopment of appropriate attenuation facilities and ecosystem restoration projects in the County in order to eliminate pollutant flows into the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary and the St. Lucie River. Policy 86.1.2.9 - St. Lucie County shall restrict the construction of artificial waterways (canals) which provide access to any of the rivers, streams, creeks, canals, or other waters of the State or their tributary systems for the purposes of navigation, aesthetics, recreation, and or enhancement of property. Policy 86.1.2.10 - The County shall maintain, and where unacceptable, improve, surface water quality within St. Lucie County according to South Florida Water Management and Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations and standards. Policy 86.1.2.11 - St. Lucie County shall support and assist with projects that further the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Initiative goals to restore and maintain ecosystem elements most resembling natural, healthy functions of a complex balanced aquatic system. Policy 6.1.2.12 - The County shall support FDEP in monitoring activities in the Port of Ft. Pierce to ensure Best Management Practices (BMP) are implemented to avoid negative impacts to the lagoon and ocean water habitats. Policy 6.1.2.13 - The County shall support the reconnection of impounded Ð±´·½§ wetlands to the Indian River Lagoon to improve the productivity of estuaries; and êòïòîòïí the implementation of adaptive management strategies for saltwater marshes ©¿ and mangrove systems which are consistent with Best Management Practices for ®»´±½¿¬»¼ mosquito control. Policy 6.1.2.14 – Ensure that surface water management systems be designed and operated consistent with state, federal and regional standards, and the County’s adopted Level of Service Standard. Ð±´·½§ êòïòîòïë Policy 6.1.2.15 - No new untreated point source discharges into estuarine and coastal waters, for stormwater runoff, will be permitted. ®»´±½¿¬»¼ º®±³Ð±´·½§ Objective 86.1.3: The County shall continue to enforce land development êòïòìòïð regulationsLand Development Code which require the protection and maintenance of the natural functions (flow and storage) of the 100-year floodplain. Policy 86.1.3.1 - The County's land development regulationsLand Development Code shall include the use of programs to protect or maintain floodplain, such as reduced parking, conservation easements, cluster site planning and micro-siting of buildings. The County shall continue to strictly enforce regulations that direct development away from floodplains and provide upland buffers along the floodplain. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-21 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 86.1.3.2 - The County shall continue to protect and toacquire floodplain through the Environmentally Significant Lands Program, andcooperative agreements with state and federal acquisition programs, and the recordation of conservation easements. Policy 86.1.3.3 - Appropriate fFloodplain management initiatives for unincorporated areas which may impact or be beneficial to other jurisdictional areas within the watersheds shall be coordinated and developed in cooperation with all other affected jurisdictional entities. Objective 86.1.4: The County shall continue to enforce Wetland Protection Standards within the land development regulationsLand Development Code which require the preservation, creation and restoration of wetlands in a manner that results in no net loss of function and value within the County's jurisdiction. Policy 86.1.4.1 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall require the following information on site plans for new development: a. The location and extent of wetlands located on the property; b. Measures to assure that normal flows and quality of water will be provided to maintain wetlands after development; and c. Measures to mitigate for any unavoidable wetland impacts proposed as part of the development. Policy 86.1.4.2 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall provide criteria for: a. Project modification measures to reduce wetland loss and degradation. All projects shall be required to maximize design modifications to ensure wetland impacts are avoided or minimized to the maximum extent feasible; b. The evaluation of proposed wetland alteration for permitted uses; c. The mitigation of wetlands alteration which include, but are not limited to, the restoration of disturbed wetlands, creation of additional wetlands, or enhancement of functions and values provided by existing habitats. Policy 86.1.4.3 - The County shall continue to require a minimum 50-foot buffer zone of native upland and transitional vegetation along rivers, creeks, and estuaries, to be maintained from the landward extent of state waters or from Mean High Water of the rivers, creeks, and estuaries; whichever is greater. However, setbacks for the North Fork of the St. Lucie River shall be governed by those set out in the Land Use Elementpolicy 1.1.9.7. Policy 86.1.4.4 - The land development regulations shall require,a buffer zone of native upland edge (i.e., transitional) vegetation to be planted or maintained around wetland and deepwater habitats which are constructed or preserved on new development sites. The buffer zone may consist of preserved or planted vegetation but shall include canopy, understory, and ground cover of native species only. The edge habitat shall begin at the upland limit of any wetland or deepwater habitat. As a minimum ten square feet of such buffer shall be provided for each linear foot of wetland or deepwater habitat perimeter that lies adjacent to St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-22 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 uplands. This upland edge habitat shall be located such that no less than 50 percent of the total shoreline is buffered by a minimum width of ten feet of upland habitat. on all new development sites, the installation or preservation of a native vegetative buffer adjacent to all wetlands, submerged lands, or other surface waters, regardless of whether these be naturally occurring or manmade. Policy 86.1.4.5 - The County shall through the development review process and in cooperation with and coordination with the appropriate wetland and regulatory agencies, continue to conserve and protect wetlands from detrimental physical and hydrological alteration. The regulation of activities in, on or over wetlands or other surface waters and the management and storage of all surface waters shall be pursuant to applicable local, state and Federal requirements. All development will be directed away from wetlands through enforcing the most restrictive of these requirements. The County standards shall, at a minimum, include the protection of wetlands in accordance with wetland classifications identified under Objective 8.1.14 of the Conservation Element. Where required, the Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure shall be utilized to evaluate and preserve wetlands, based upon their functional Characteristics including types, size, values, functions, conditions and location of those wetlands. Policy 86.1.4.6 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall include the use of programs to protect or maintain wetlands, such as reduced paving, conservation easements, cluster site planning and micro-siting of buildings. Policy 86.1.4.7 - The County shall provide appropriate administrative support in the acquisition of additional wetlands and uplands as part of the Savannas PreserveState Reserve Park. Policy 86.1.4.8 - The County shall support wetland mitigation programs by federal and state agencies that will not weaken local regulatory authority and will ensure no net loss of wetland function and provide for a measured increase in Struck restored wetland function and acreage. Any wetland impact occurring within St. language Lucie County shall be mitigated within St. Lucie County, unless waived by the is now Board of County Commissioners. Policy 6.1.4.10. Policy 86.1.4.9 - The County shall continue to identify and inventory wetlands, andanalyze wetland areas for those which could be considered high quality wetlands of high functional value.which should be considered environmentally sensitive. The County shall provide for the protection, appropriate use and conservation of these areas based on criteria which consider the administrative and fiscal constraints of the County. Potential mechanisms shall include acquisition, restriction or prohibition of activities, and incentives to protect and maintain wetlands. Original Policy Policy 86.1.4.10 - No new untreated point source discharges into estuarine and 8.1.4.10 was coastal waters, for stormwater runoff, will be permitted. Any wetland impact relocated and occurring within St. Lucie County shall be mitigated within St. Lucie County, renumbered unless waived by the Board of County Commissioners. as Policy 6.1.2.15. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-23 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 86.1.4.11 - The County shall require that setback requirements from jurisdictional wetlands open bodies of water are maintained by continued implementation of the Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code. Policy 86.1.4.12 - The County shall require the identification of on-site wetlands for all new applications for development or construction. Protection of wetlands and other surface waters is preferred to destruction and mitigation due to the temporal loss of ecological value and uncertainty regarding the ability to recreate certain functions associated with these features. Mitigation will be considered only after the applicant has complied with the land development code requirements regarding the avoidance and minimization of wetland impacts. In certain cases, mitigation cannot offset impacts sufficiently to approve a project. Such cases may include activities which degrade Outstanding Florida Waters, adversely impact habitat for listed species, or impact wetlands or other surface waters not likely to be successfully recreated. The current condition and value of wetlands functions will be considered in determining if proposed adverse impacts and mitigation measures to off-set wetland impacts are reasonable. Policy 86.1.4.13 - The County shall require that all on-site wetlands be preserved unless the applicant demonstrates that practicable use of the property cannot not otherwise occur. If wetland impacts are determined unavoidable, wetland mitigation shall first be provided on-site to the maximum extent possible prior to considering offsite mitigation. All wetlands and adjacent buffers required to be preserved on the development site shall be protected by a conservation easement that is dedicated to a government agency or other entity acceptable to the Board of County Commissioners. Said conservation easement shall provide for the protection and perpetual maintenance of the wetland and buffer. The proposed preservation area shall be designated on all site plans and application materials. Policy 86.1.4.14 - When it is determined that a wetland violation has occurred, restoration of the affected wetland shall be required and no permits for the development shall be issued, until the required restoration is completed. There shall be no off-site mitigation to compensate for illegally altered wetlands. When it is determined that a wetland violation has occurred, restoration shall be required before any development permits are issued, or within 90 days, whichever occurs first. Policy86.1.4.15 -The County shall by December 2004, conduct a study to identify wetland areas of special concern, and special protective measures to ensure that the biological, scenic qualities of these wetland areas are maintained. All development applications that include wetland habitat shall be consistent with all applicable Federal, State and County regulations and the goals, objectives and policies of the County's Comprehensive Plan. The most restrictive of these regulations shall be enforced. Objective 86.1.5: The County shall continue to enforce land development regulationsLand Development Code which require the conservation, appropriate use, and protection of the quality and quantity of groundwater. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-24 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 86.1.5.1 - St. Lucie County shall enforce the WellfField Protection program standards, including: a. Assure adequate and safe water supplies to present and future citizens of the County; b. Comply with Federal and State regulations in the best interests of the County and its future growth and development; c. Avoid crisis water supply situations through careful groundwater resources planning and conservation; d. Identify and protect the functions of public well-field areas, including recharge of those areas, and provide incentives to keep the present and future public well fields compatible with the needs expressed in a. above; e. Ensure that new development is compatible with existing local and regional water supply capabilities; and f. Protect present and future public well fields against depletion and contamination through appropriate regulation, incentives, and cooperative agreements. Policy 86.1.5.2 - St. Lucie County shall cooperate with Federal, State, and local agencies in monitoring groundwater levels and quality. Policy 86.1.5.3 - St. Lucie County shall request appropriate administrative and financial support from the SFWMD to identify potable water supply areas. Upon completion of such a study, identified areas shall be presented to the County Commission to be adopted as an amendment to the Land Development Code along with policies to protect the functions of these areas, such as maximizing stormwater retention to minimize drainage. Activities and land uses known to adversely affect the quality and quantity of water sources and natural groundwater recharge areas shall be regulated to protect the quality and quantity of these resources. Policy 86.1.5.4 - St. Lucie County shall continue to cooperate with SFWMD to properly seal unpermitted active drainage wells and abandoned free- flowing artesian wells. Policy 86.1.5.5 - The County shall continue duct a study to identify existing and potential threats to the quality of waters within the Taylor Creek Well-field Protection Areas. The study shall beforwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with recommendations for any corrective measures required to safeguard the Taylor Creek Well field Protection Area. Policy 6.1.5.6 - The County shall provide for open space as a part of the requirements for all development and redevelopment to promote shallow water aquifer recharge and stormwater filtration. Objective 86.1.6: The County shall protect and conserve the natural functions of soils which includes, at a minimum, the following policies and regulations. Policy 86.1.6.1 - The County shall require through the land development regulationsLand Development Code the consideration of hydrologic, topographic, and vegetative cover factors in the site plan review process of proposed developments. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-25 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 86.1.6.2 – The Land Development Code shall include regulations to protect environmentally sensitive lands relating to destructive activities and uses such as off road vehicle use. The County shall enforce regulations which prohibit the use of off-roadvehicles in areas identified as environmentally sensitive pursuant to policies under Objective 8.1.12 or that are subject to soil erosion. For the purposes of this policy, the Savannas State-Reserve, Atlantic Coastal Ridge, and dunes on Hutchinson Island shall be considered environmentally sensitive. Policy 86.1.6.3 - Assist the St. Lucie County Soil and Water Conservation District in those activities directed at minimizing soil erosion. Policy 86.1.6.4 - The County shall coordinate with other agencies and organizations which have toinitiated a data collection programs to acquire water quality and turbidity information at five year intervals, as it relates to soil erosion. Policy 86.1.6.5 - Clearing of native vegetation on newly platted subdivision lots prior to the issuance of a building permit for construction on the single family lot shall be limited to that which is necessary for roads, utilities installation and drainage. Policy 6.1.6.6 - Amend the Land Development Code within one year of adoption of this element to require new development activities to be consistent with the soil conditions in the area in which the activity is proposed. In those instances where soil modifications are necessary, all activities should utilize best management practices as identified by the Soil Conservation Service. Objective 86.1.7: The County shall continue to regulate mining to ensure the conservation, appropriate use, and protection of minerals in a manner that safeguards all of the County's remaining natural resources, including ground and surface waters and upland plant communities. Policy 86.1.7.1 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall include criteria developed as a result of a continuing monitoring and evaluation program of the County's drainage systems, wetlands, and other surface waters. Mechanisms to maintain the functioning of drainage systems, wetlands, and surface waters that existed prior to resource extraction shall be developed. Policy 86.1.7.2 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall include locally determined criteria for buffers which address sight, sound, and airborne particulate matter between resource extraction activities and adjacent existing and future land uses. The airborne particulate matter criteria shall also address trucking operations access points to be utilized as part of the mining operation. Policy 86.1.7.3 - The land developmentregulationsLand Development Code shall include locally determined criteria which specifies suitable conditions for reclamation. These criteria shall address the potential for land forms capable of supporting diverse and beneficial land uses, time limits on implementation of reclamation, revegetation to minimize wildlife habitat lost, and shoreline treatments for water bodies which address appropriate safety and environmental considerations. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-26 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 86.1.7.4 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall encourage the use of recycled materials for roadway construction, where practicable. Policy 86.1.7.5 -– Within one year of amending the Comprehensive Plan, the land development regulationsLand Development Code shall be amended to identify that, aAt a minimum, mining shall not be permitted in the following environmentally sensitive areas: a. The North and South Savannas; b. Atlantic Coastal Ridge; c. Within any identified environmentally sensitive area or within 200 feet of such an area; d. Coastal High Hazard Area; e. Hutchinson Island; or f. Environmentally sensitive areas as defined in this element.under Objective 8.1.12. g. Any area designated as a Category I or Category II wetland in this element. under Policy 8.1.4.1. Policy 6.1.7.6 - Enforce the County's Land Development RegulationsLand Development Code which require that a reclamation/restoration plan be submitted as part of the required application for an extractive use permit. Objective 86.1.8: The County shall protect native upland habitats vegetative communities, and shall protect event the net loss of listed species and their habitat. This shall be accomplished through the County Environmentally Significant Lands Acquisition program, ongoing natural resource protection programs and the implementation of land development regulationsLand Development Code. Policy 86.1.8.1 - The County shall require all nuisance and invasive exotic vegetation (e.g. Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and Melaleuca) be removed and eradicated at the time of development or redevelopment of a nonresidential use and residential site plan projects and, where appropriate, replaced with native or drought tolerant species that are adapted to existing soil and climatic conditions. Policy 86.1.8.2 - The County shall require the protection of endangered and threatenedstate and federal listed plant and animal populations and the conservation of their native habitat, including intact canopy, understory and ground cover upon which these populations depend for survival. Protectionossible mechanisms would include: a. Assisting in the application of and compliance with Federal and State regulations; b. Consulting with appropriate Federal and State agencies during development reviews when listed endangered or threatenedspecies may be onsite; c. Establishing management programs with incentives for private landowners to protect or conserve habitats, such as reduced parking, St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-27 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 landscaping, or credit for park and recreation impact fees; d. Using guidelines in the Land Development Code regarding conservation easements, cluster site planning and micro-siting of buildings; and e. Assisting the state in developing an education program to promote the preservation of endangered and threatened species; and f. Proposed site clearing activities within the known range of listed species or where such species are expected to occur based upon habitat suitability and species ranges shall be surveyed by qualified environmental consultants and/or government ecologists prior to approval and commencement of such activities to determine whether or not populations of listed plant and animal species occur. Policy 86.1.8.3 - Lands acquired through the County's Environmentally Significant Lands Program for preservation shall be preserved and managed for natural habitat, listed plant and animal species and passive resource recreational needs of the public. (Ord. No. 07-018, § B.(Exh. A), 12-18-07) Policy 86.1.8.4 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall include criteria which allow utilization of Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) or other flexible methods of land development transfer that would direct development from unsuitable lands to those most suitable for active use. Policy 86.1.8.5 - The County shall require all development, to proceed in a manner compatible with the conservation of wildlife and natural systems. Except as provided for in Policy 1.1.2.2 of the Future Land Use Element, all lands within development sites proposed as conservation and open space areas shall be held in single ownership by a homeowners' association or other entity approved by the County attorney that will be responsible for the long-termperpetualmaintenance of the conservation or open space area. Except as provided for in Policy 1.1.2.3 of the Future Land Use Element open space and conservation areas shall not include lands utilized to meet the minimum lot size requirements. Policy 86.1.8.6 - The County shall require the use of native or drought tolerant vegetation adapted to existing soil and climatic conditions in landscaping. Policy 86.1.8.7 - St. Lucie County shall review as part of each Evaluation and Appraisal Review Report of the Comprehensive Plan, beginning in scheduled review of 2007, the existing criteria and standards for the protection of the remaining native plant communities within the County as identified by the Florida Natural Area Inventory. For the purpose of this plan, native plant communities shall be preserved shall include viable condition with intact ground cover, understory and canopy layers where applicable. The criteria and standards shall include the preservation of viable native plant communities occurring within areas required to be maintained in order to meet other minimum development standards, such as setback, open space and landscaped areas. Policy 86.1.8.8 – St. Lucie County shall require the submission of an environmental impact report, which addresses concerns for habitat preservation and species protection for projects on parcels greater than ten acres, or that are located on the barrier island, the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, orare adjacent to public St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-28 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 conservation lands, or are otherwise considered Environmentally Sensitive Areas as defined in this Element. The County may provide a process of thefor [sic] the consideration of a waiver of this requirement, subject to meeting standards as may be described in the County’s Land Development Code. Policy86.1.8.9 - The County shall acquire and support the public acquisition of a Struck diversity ofnatural habitat types to ensure maximum diversity of native wildlife language in species.The County shall continue to identify native upland vegetative original Policy communities that could be considered high quality. The County shall provide for 8.1.8.9 was relocated to the protection, appropriate use and conservation of these areas based on criteria Policy which consider the administrative and fiscal constraints of the County. Potential 6.1.12.3. mechanisms shall include acquisition, conservation easements, restriction or prohibition of activities, and incentives to protect and maintain these areas. Policy 86.1.8.10 - Land use decisions shall consider the effects of development impacts on fish, wildlife and habitat and the cumulative impact of development and redevelopment upon wildlife habitat. In cases where Federal or State listed rare,endangered, threatened orspecies of special concernare known to be present, a condition of development approval will be that if habitat is preserved, a Preserve Area mManagement pPlan be prepared by the applicant, and that it be approved by appropriate state and/or federal agencies be completed prior to initiation of developmentapproval. The management plan shall detail the schedule and management methods used to maintain or improve the habitat, the funding mechanism to properly implement the plan over the required period of time, and shall follow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s recommendations for managing wildlife listed species when applicable. Classification of listed fish, wildlife and habitat is defined by the Federal government, the State of Florida, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Natural Areas Inventory. In addition, this policy shall apply to any species or native habitat the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council determines to be regionally rare, endangered or threatened with extinction. To ensure adequate protection, protected plants and animals, which cannot be provided with sufficient undisturbed habitat to maintain the existing population in a healthy, viable state on site, shall be effectively relocated in accordance with local, state and federal regulations and accepted best management practices. Policy 86.1.8.11 - The County shall continue to support the County Land Acquisition Selection Committee whose function is to utilize the 1992 Upland and Wetland Inventory and Federal, State, and local resources, to formulate a master acquisition list of lands having native upland habitat. The overall objective is to ensure the preservation of a minimum of 12,500 acres of the 1992 remaining native upland habitat, with the highest priority being those classified as endangered or threatened as well as those properties having habitats that are facing destruction as a result of urban development and which recognizes relationships to those areas of native habitat already under public and/or private preservation. Policy 8.1.8.12 - The County shall, by July 1, 2001, reappoint a Land Acquisition Finance Committee whose function shall be to develop a recommendation as to howto fund the master acquisition list formulated pursuant to Policy 8.1.8.11. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-29 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The Committee may be organized as a subcommittee of the Land Acquisition Selection Committee. The Committee shall monitor the current and future finances of the Environmentally Significant Lands program. Policy 8.1.8.13-The County shall continue to request assistance in public Original Policy acquisition of natural areas under federal, state and regional programsincluding, 8.1.8.13 was but not limited to Preservation 2000, Florida Forever, Florida Communities Trust, modified and Conservation and Recreation Lands, and Save Our Rivers programs. added to Policy 6.1.12.6. Policy 8.1.8.14-TheCounty shall provide multiple-use opportunities on County- Original Policy owned natural preserve areas, consistent with natural resource protection and 8.1.8.14 was conservation, to provide for passive recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed relocated and protection, erosion control, maintenance orenhancement of water quality, aquifer renumbered as recharge protection, or other such functions. Policy 6.1.12.11. Policy 86.1.8.115 - The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall provide that existing on-site native upland habitat be incorporated into required site plans as a part of open space areas, in lieu of the installation of new plant materials,as required landscaping or as a part of minimum yard areas so that as much of the identified habitat as is practicable is maintained.to meet the minimum site plan requirements. Policy 86.1.8.126 - The County shall require clustering, micro-siting of structures or other protective mechanisms to preserve native vegetative communities or protected species habitats.of dwelling units and/or open space for land development projects which contain environmentally sensitive lands and critical habitats within its project boundaries, in order to preserve these resources. Policy 68.1.8.137 - Habitats supporting endangered and threatened species should be preserved, protected and managed so as to continue the value of the habitat to the endangered and threatened species found to be dependent on it. The County shall, by December 2012, consider allowing fees in lieu of on-site preservation of upland native plant communities. Considerations, at a minimum, shall include the practicality of on-site preservation, the size and quality of the impacted community and the quality and distance to any surrounding vegetative community. Any fees collected shall be for the purpose of habitat acquisition/preservation that would be more environmentally beneficial and provide a net increase in area. Policy86.1.8.148 - The County shall consider the abundance, status, and distribution of endangered ecosystems and other environmentally sensitive lands when reviewing land use proposals and acquisitions. Within one year of adoption of this element, St. Lucie County shall include within its Land Development Code criteria and standards for the protection and preservation of native upland vegetative communities as described by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory. The criteria shall included, but not be limited to, the following: a. Size of the property on which the development activity is to take place; b. The type, quality and sensitivity of the native habitat including utilization by native and listed wildlife; St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-30 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 c. Methodologies to be employed in protecting and preserving habitat and diversity; d. The presence or occurrence of listed species on-site; e. The size and quality of similar habitat adjacent or in close proximity; f. Provisions for clustering, micro-siting, density transfers or other mechanisms to avoid or minimize impacts; and g. Mitigation measures designed to avoid a loss of habitat. Policy 86.1.8.19-St. Lucie County shall assist to prevent the destruction of Florida's Cypress Strands through Land Development regulations that prohibit the use of Cypress Mulch for any nonresidential landscaping areas or projects. The use of cypress mulch is also to be discouraged on all residential projects. Objective 86.1.9 - The County shall develop a hazardous waste management program for the proper recycling, storage, collection, and disposal or transfer of hazardous materials and wastes. Policy 86.1.9.1 - The County shall continue to provide a establish a storage transfer facility for household and small quantity generators of hazardous wastes. Policy 86.1.9.2 - The County shall develop emergency response plans to handle accidents involving hazardous materials or wastes. Policy 86.1.9.3 - The County shall continue the recycling program which includes public education on the beneficial use of hazardous wastes using publicized lists of approved recyclers and by subscription to the Southern Waste Information Exchange. Policy 86.1.9.4 - The County shall continue to support State-sponsored Amnesty Days to collect hazardous wastes in the County; and shall evaluate the need for scheduling local Amnesty Days. Policy 86.1.9.5 - The County shall implement an employee training program to properly identify and inspect wastes before they enter the landfill and implement an inspection or screening program to exclude hazardous items such as drums, tanks from unknown sources, waste pesticides, or chemicals from spill cleanups. Policy 86.1.9.6 - The County shall participate with the FDEP and other local governments in the region to develop a regional hazardous waste transfer and storage facility and collection network, if appropriate. Policy 86.1.9.7 - The County shall seek funding from FDEP's Local Hazardous Waste Collection Grants Program to manage hazardous wastes. Policy 86.1.9.8 - The County shall conduct a Countywide underground storage tank assessment and assist any owner in seeking funding to respond to any groundwater contamination resulting from leaking tanks. Policy 86.1.9.9 - The County shall continue a public education program regarding household hazardous wastes, the proper methods of their disposal and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-31 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 alternative nonhazardous substitutes in cooperation with schools, news media, and civic organizations, and in conjunction with Amnesty Day awareness programs. Objective 86.1.10: The County land development regulationsLand Development Code shall require the conservation, appropriate use and protection of current and projected potable water sources. Policy 86.1.10.1 - The County shall prepare and adopt an emergency water management conservation plan in cooperation with SFWMD. The County shall cooperate with the South Florida Water Management District to conserve water resources in emergencies and during declared water shortages. Policy 86.1.10.2 - The land development regulations shall require wastewater reuse plans for new sewage treatment plants operating above 250,000 gallons per day. Any new reuse plan shall be approved by FDEP. The County shall coordinate with the FDEP, the SFWMD, local municipalities and other appropriate agencies in alternative water supply planning efforts. Policy 86.1.10.3 - The County shall implement a public education program regarding various methods of water conservation at the household and small business level. Policy 6.1.10.4 – The County shall coordinate with the SFWMD in the development and updates of the Regional Water Supply Plan. Policy 6.1.10.5 - St. Lucie County shall continue to coordinate with the SFWMD and other appropriate agencies to identify potable water supply areas. Identified areas shall be protected through adoption of lands development regulations. Objective 86.1.11: St. Lucie County shall promote the protection of natural buffer areas to lessen the adverse effects which adjacent developments might have on the managed conservation areas, such as the Savannas State Preserve, Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, and lands purchased for preservation purposes through Federal, State and local land acquisition programs. Policy 86.1.11.1 - St. Lucie County shall cooperate with the FDEP and other applicable agencies in their management programs that provide for the protection of native habitats within the County. Policy 86.1.11.2-All appropriate land development regulations required by this Comprehensive Plan shall include the protection of native habitats, including thoseidentified in the Recreation and Open Space Element. The County shall enforce all landscape and buffer regulations to ensure the installation and preservation of all required landscape buffers. Policy 86.1.11.3 - Proposed land use activities adjacent to public natural area conservation and recreation lands, shall be limited to activities that will not degrade the natural physical, biological, aesthetic, or recreational functions of such lands. Policy 86.1.11.4 - Land use development applications, including site plan removal and construction permit application materials, shall identify public and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-32 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 semipublic conservation and recreation lands on or adjacent to the development site. Policy 6.1.11.5 - The County shall continually evaluate the landscape and buffer standards in the land development regulationsLand Development Code and update any portion of the standards that do not adequately protect the County's natural resources. Objective 86.1.12: The biodiversity of the County's natural areas shall be protected and enhanced through public land acquisition, conservation easements, land development regulationsLand Development Code, and implementation of Management Plans prepared for public owned and managed natural areas. The County shall enact, enforce, and continually review and update land use regulations and land management plans that provide for the protection of natural resources. Policy 86.1.12.1 - The County shall continually evaluate the Resource Protection Standards section of the land development regulationsLand Development Code and update any portion of the standards that do not adequately protect the County's natural resources. Policy 86.1.12.2 - All appropriate land development regulationsLand Development Code required by this Comprehensive Plan shall include the protection of environmentally sensitive upland and wetland areas. Struck Policy 86.1.12.3 - St. Lucie County will continue to cooperate with adjacent local language in governments to conserve, appropriately use, or protect ecological greenways Original Policy located within more than one jurisdiction.The County shall acquire and support 8.1.12.3 was the public acquisition of a diversity of natural habitat types to ensure maximum relocated and diversity of native wildlife species. The County shall continue to support the renumbered as functions and recommendations of the County Land Acquisition Selection Policy 6.1.13.11. Committee. Policy 86.1.12.4 - In addition to other conservation policies, any proposed development situated withinImperiled and Critically Imperiled vegetative communities, as defined by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, including but not limited to scrub, maritime hammock, or coastal dune; and all jurisdictional wetlands, the North and South Savannas, North and South Hutchinson Island and the Atlantic Coastal Ridge shall be considered Environmentally Sensitive Areas for conservation, appropriate use, and protection to further the goals, objectives, and policies of this Element and County land development regulationsLand Development Code. Development proposals within these areas shall adhere to the following conditions: a. Proposed development projects within a defined Environmentally Sensitive Area, as identified describedabove, must submit as part of the site plan a development approval process an Environmental Assessment ImpactReport. The report shall contain: 1. An inventory of existing vegetation and wildlife based on a field survey; 2. An identification of wildlife or vegetation present that is listed for protection by the state or federal governmentas endangered, St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-33 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 threatened or a species/plant of special concern;: 3. An assessment of the land that will identify the location of all environmentally sensitive habitat or vegetation and will contain a plan to protect the resource; 4. An analysis of the functional viability and quality of the various habitats; 5. A discussion of the impacts, both positive and adverse, on the resources; 6. A discussion of how the proposed development plan maximizes efforts to avoid and minimize adverse impacts to the environment; 7. A discussion concerning whether there is any potential for irreplaceable or irretrievable environmental damage; and 8. If reasonable use of the property cannot occur without adversely impacting on-site natural resources, a mitigation plan shall be required that describes actions to be taken that replace those functions and values of the resource as a result of impacting the resource. b. Those Environmentally Sensitive Areas identified as containing habitat worthy of preservation may require a clustering of allowable density to more suitable areas for development to avoid and minimize impacts to highly sensitive habitat. Only footpaths or entryways will be permitted in such areas. c. Environmentally Sensitive Areas containing highly sensitive native habitat worthy of preservation may require the habitat be protected through a conservation easement or other method acceptable to the County as defined in the Land Development Code. Only footpaths or entryways will be permitted in such areas. Policy 86.1.12.5 - Proposed site clearing activities within the known range of Struck language endangered or threatened species or where such species are expected to occur in original Policy based upon habitat suitability and species ranges Environmental Impact Reports 8.1.12.5 was required by this Plan shall be conducted surveyed by qualified environmental relocated as item f under professionalsconsultantsand/or government ecologists prior to approval and Policy 6.1.8.2. commencement of such activities to determine whether or not populations of endangered, threatened or plant and animal species of special concern occur. Policy 86.1.12.6 - Where feasible, the County shall protect critical habitat through acquisition, establishment of public or private conservation easements, purchase of development rights, or through other available means as deemed appropriate. The County shall continue to request assistance in public acquisition of natural areas under federal, state and regional programs or other non-governmental organizations. Policy 86.1.12.7 -No fill or regrading of property shall be allowed except to establish required road elevations for driveways, unless the environmental assessment shows that fill or regrading will not adversely affect the environment St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-34 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 and fill is available on site. The County shall consider the abundance, status, and distribution of endangered ecosystems and other environmentally sensitive lands when reviewing land use proposals and acquisitions. Policy 86.1.12.8 - All native upland and wetland habitats, including those located withinEnvironmentally Sensitive Areas as defined in this ElementPolicy 86.1.12.54,that are required to be preserved as part of a development project shall be protected through a conservation easement or other method acceptable to the County. The proposed preservation areas shall be designated on all site plan and permit application materials. Policy 86.1.12.9 - St. Lucie County shall support nature based eco-tourism activities on public preserves that are primarily designed for appreciation of the County's native habitats and wildlife species that can be accomplished in a manner that does not disrupt wildlife or negatively impact their habitat. The type of recreational activity deemed appropriate for the County's public preserves will depend on the type of native vegetative community on the site. This includes, but is not limited to, hiking, wilderness camping, canoeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Activities centers, including, educational centers, museums, and botanical centers will be provided at suitable locations throughout the County. All eco-tourism facilities shall be operated in a manner that does not degrade or reduce the inherent natural functions and values of the natural resources utilized for the eco-tourism use. County owned or managed lands purchased through public land acquisition programs targeting the protection of the natural resources shall only provide access and recreational opportunities that can be provided without degradation of the native plant communities and listed plant and animal species values. Policy 86.1.12.10 - Lands purchased through the County's Environmentally Significant Lands program shall be monitored for visitor impacts which threaten natural areas. If impacts to natural areas are identified a plan shall be prepared to mitigate or eliminate the negative impacts. Policy 6.1.12.11 - The County shall provide multiple-use opportunities on County- owned natural preserve areas, consistent with natural resource protection and conservation, to provide for passive recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, erosion control, maintenance or enhancement of water quality, aquifer recharge protection, or other such functions. Policy 6.1.12.12 - The County shall continue to monitor all credible climate change and sea level rise data and what direct and potential effects this has on natural resources. Based on this data the County shall evaluate and update the resource protection standards of the land development regulations Land Development Code and this plan as necessary. Policy 6.1.12.13 - To ensure protection of the natural resources of the County identified in this Plan, the county shall direct all incompatible future land uses away from these natural resource systems. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-35 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 6.1.12.14 - Through the Environmentally Significant Lands Program, the County shall continue the acquisition of properties for the preservation of and restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Objective 86.1.13: The County shall implement the develop a 2008 St. Lucie County Bicycle, Pedestrian, Ggreenways and Trails Master Pplan to facilitate the implementation of ecological and recreational greenways within its jurisdiction when funding is available. At a minimum the plan shall include a map of existing and proposed greenways, identify gaps in the greenway network, and set forth strategies for the maintenance and expansion of the existing network. Policy 86.1.13.1 - The County shall coordinate with the state and federal land acquisition programs to encourage connectivity between privately and publicly owned recreational and conservation lands. Policy 86.1.13.2 - The County shall pursue grants from local, state, federal, and private organizations to plan and assemble the greenway network. Policy 86.1.13.3: The County shall encourage multiuse of greenways, as appropriate, to facilitate the development of shared recreation and wildlife corridor ecological greenways. Policy 86.1.13.4 - The County shall establish guidelines within the Land Development Code thatfacilitate usable open space that is accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. Nonpaved bicycle and pedestrian access shall be encouraged between uses where paved access would negatively impact existing habitats. Policy 86.1.13.5 - To the extent feasible, the County shall develop a beautifyication and improvement program for areas used by the general public (e.g. roads, sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian walkways, parks and open space areas) to enhance vehicular and nonvehicular movements. The program shall encourage planting standards that promote the use of appropriate native plants in road and utility rights-of-way to restore the original native plant community to the extent practicable. Policy 86.1.13.6 - The County shall utilize, where possible, existing rights-of-way as wildlife corridors and pedestrian areas. Policy 86.1.13.7 - The County shall coordinate with appropriate state and federal agencies to identify natural area greenways and wildlife corridors to link existing public parks, preserve areas and similar areas for conservation and habitat preservation purposes. Policy 86.1.13.8 - The County shall consider incentives that encourage the granting of conservation easements for natural linear greenways and/or scenic Ñ®·¹·²¿´Ð±´·½§ drives. èòïòïíòç ´¿²¹«¿¹»©¿ Policy 86.1.13.9 - The County shall support the reconnection of impounded ®»´±½¿¬»¼¿²¼ wetlands to the Indian River Lagoon to improve the productivity of estuaries; and ®»²«³¾»®»¼ ¿Ð±´·½§ the implementation of adaptive management strategies for saltwater marshes êòïòîòïíò and mangrove systems which are consistent with Best Management Practices for mosquito control. The County shall continue to map existing and proposed greenways, identify gaps in the greenway network, and set forth strategies for the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-36 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 maintenance and expansion of the existing network. Policy 86.1.13.10 - The County shall promote the preservation and maintenance of native plant communities in a contiguous manner to provide wildlife corridors and pedestrian pathways. Policy 6.1.13.11 - St. Lucie County shall continue to cooperate with adjacent local governments to conserve, appropriately use, or protect ecological greenways located within more than one jurisdiction. Objective 86.1.14: St. Lucie County shall, by December 2004, amend its land development regulations to include a locally developed and regulated use a wetland classification system for purposes of protecting wetland functions and values within the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County based upon a wetland classification survey of all areas in the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County to be completed by July 2004, consistent with the Policies cited below. Policy 86.1.14.1 - As a part of the locally developed and regulated wetland classification system described in Objective 8.1.14. St. Lucie County shall use the following general classification system for the purposes of protecting wetland functions and values within the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County. This classification system is to include a qualitative assessment of the value of the wetlands and shall be based upon the standard WRAP analysis methods employed by the State of Florida. a. Category I wetlands--shall include any wetlands having hydrological connection to natural surface water bodies; any isolated wetland 20 acres or larger; or wetlands containing Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas as identified by the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. b. Category II wetlands--shall include any isolated wetlands which have been connected to other surface water drainage and are greater than or equal to five acres, or are less than 20 acres and do not qualify as Category I wetlands; c. Category III wetlands--shall include isolated wetlands less than five acres that do not qualify as Category I or II wetlands. St. Lucie County shall require identification of Category I, II, and III wetlands prior to staff review of all land development proposals, including future land use, zoning, site plan or construction applications. Except for those development proposals seeking a Final Development Order approval, as defined under Policy 11.1.3.69.1.4.4, a formal jurisdictional line determination shall not be required as part of this review. St. Lucie County shall, by December 2004, amend its land development regulations to provide for the implementation of standards and regulations to enforce this policy. Policy 86.1.14.2 - The County shall not permit development in a Category I or II wetland or any wetland buffer associated with these wetlands, except as follows: a. Clearing and /or constructing of walking trails; b. Construction of boardwalks/catwalks for direct access to water bodies; St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-37 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 construction of wildlife management shelters, footbridges, observation desks and similar structures not requiring a dredge or fill for their placement; and c. Clearing and/or construction of electric/ cable utility, stormwater management, water or wastewater infrastructure as needed to provide public service that does not impair the long term viability of the wetland system. d. Alteration is permissible within Category I and II wetlands, and the required wetland buffer as necessary for the above activities if: 1. No other reasonable alternative exists and avoidance cannot be achieved; 2. Such activity is consistent with other policies of the Comprehensive Plan; 3. Such activity complies with the requirements of all Federal, State and local agencies claiming jurisdiction over wetland alteration and adequate mitigation of any adverse hydrological and physical alterations is provided. 4. No more than one percent of any Category I wetland is impacted, except as noted in Policy 86.1.14.3; 5. No more than 15 percent of any Category II wetland is impacted, 6.1.14.3; except as noted in Policy 8 6. Appropriate mitigation is provided. Policy 86.1.14.3 - In addition to the alteration provisions of Policy 86.1.14.32(c), alteration of a Category I or II wetland may be allowed when no other reasonable alternative exists and avoidance and minimization of impacts cannot otherwise be achieved. Any provision of this Comprehensive Plan or the land development code related to the preservation of a Category I or II wetland that precludes all reasonable economically viable use of the property or would prohibit a reasonable public use of the property and which if applied would result in a compensable taking of the property may be waived to the extent necessary to provide the minimum reasonable use, public or private, of the property. These provisions shall only be waived following the review and approval of the Board of County Commissioners, or their designee, in a manner set forth in the Land Development Code. The standards for the granting of any waiver shall be set forth in the Land Development Code and shall be consistent with the general standards and intent of the Comprehensive Plan. Policy 86.1.14.4 - Alteration of a Category III wetland may be allowed when no reasonable alternative exists and avoidance and minimization of impacts cannot be achieved. Any provision of this Comprehensive Plan or the land development code related to the preservation of a Category III wetland that precludes all reasonable economically viable use of the property or would prohibit a reasonable public use of the property and which if applied would result in a compensable taking of the property may be waived to the extent necessary to provide the minimum reasonable use, public or private, of the property. These provisions shall only be waived following the review and approval of the Board of St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-38 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 County Commissioners, or their designee, in a manner set forth in the Land Development Code. The standards for the granting of any waiver shall be set forth in the Land Development Code and shall be consistent with the general standards and intent of the Comprehensive Plan. Policy 86.1.14.5 - The County shall require a minimum 50-foot buffer between Category I or II wetlands and new development activity in order to protect water quality, preserve natural functions, and preserve wildlife habitat. The buffer, as measured landward from the approved jurisdictional line, shall be maintained in a natural vegetative state and be free of exotic and nuisance species as defined by the Florida Pest Council. Policy 86.1.14.6 - All new development on lots less than five acres and not containing a Category I or II wetland shall provide a minimum 25-foot buffer between the wetland jurisdictional line and the area of development. The buffer, as measured landward from the approved jurisdictional line, shall be maintained in a natural vegetative state and be free of exotic and nuisance species as defined by the Florida Pest Council. No development shall occur within the wetland buffer except as identified in 86.1.14.2. Policy 86.1.14.7 - St. Lucie County shall assess the specific and cumulative impacts of all proposed new development or redevelopment activities, including single family building permits, on all wetlands that may be located on the property in order to ensure that the natural functions of the wetlands are protected and conserved through the implementation of wetland protection standards which shall include consideration of the types, values, functions, sizes, conditions, and locations of wetlands. Policy 86.1.14.8 - Removal, encroachment, or alternation of Category III wetlands may be allowed with the extent of such activities being determined on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with applicable regulatory agencies and in the interest of public benefit. Objective 6.1.15. The Board of County Commissioners shall consider the Wetland Inventory and Evaluation Study expected to be completed by June 2011, and designed to facilitate the development of policies and procedures to improve the protection of the existing wetlands in the County. Policy 6.1.15.1 - The Wetland Inventory and Evaluation Study shall at a minimum: a. Develop a GIS tool to assist County staff engaged in ongoing wetland management and evaluation of proposed impacts, b. Indentify, inventory and classify wetlands by the functions performed and describe the geographic extent of wetland classes; and c. Identify gaps in the existing federal, state and county regulatory mechanisms through which the County might lose certain types of wetland resources and functions. Policy 6.1.15.2 – Within one year after completion of the Wetland Inventory and Evaluation Study the County shall amend its Land Development Code to adopt wetland protection measures that will incorporate a classification system St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-39 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 inclusive of wetland functionality and address gaps in the existing regulatory mechanisms. Policy 6.1.15.3 – Within two years after the completion of the Wetland Inventory and Evaluation Study the County shall amend its Comprehensive Plan to include the updated wetland protection measures developed as a result of the Study. Policy 6.1.15.4 – Through the development review process the County shall continue to update the wetland inventory and mapping tools. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 6-40 Conservation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 APPENDIX 6-A. SOIL DESCRIPTIONS ANCLOTE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Endoaquolls The Anclote series consists of very deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils in depressions, poorly defined drainage ways, and flood plains. They formed in thick beds of sandy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 1 percent. ANKONA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Arenic Ultic Alaquods The Ankona series consists of very deep, very poorly and poorly drained, very slowly or slowly permeable soils on broad flats and in depressional areas of central and southern Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. ARCHBOLD SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartzipsamments The Archbold series consists of deep, well drained, very rapidly permeable sandy soils that formed in marine or eolian deposits. These droughtly soils are on nearly level to gently sloping ridges in the Lower Coastal Plain. The regolith is a thick bed of marine and eolian sands. Slopes are 0 to 5 percent. ASTATULA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartzipsamments The Astatula series consists of very deep, excessively drained, rapidly permeable soils. Astatula soils are on uplands in the lower Coastal Plain. They formed in sandy marine, eolian or fluvial material more than 7 feet thick. Slopes range from 0 to 30 percent. BASINGER SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Siliceous, hyperthermic Spodic Psammaquents The Basinger series consists of very deep, poorly drained and very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils in sloughs, depressions, low flats, and poorly defined drainageways. They formed in sandy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. CANAVERAL SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Aquic Quartzipsamments The Canaveral series consists of very deep, somewhat poorly to moderately well drained, very rapidly permeable soils on side slopes of dune-like ridges bordering depressions and sloughs along the coast in Peninsular Florida. They formed in thick marine deposits of sand and shell fragments. Slopes are dominantly less than 3 percent but range up to 5 percent. CHOBEE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, superactive, hyperthermic Typic Argiaquolls The Chobee series consists of very deep, very poorly drained, slowly to very slowly permeable soils in depressions, flats, and occasionally on river flood plains in the lower Coastal Plain. They formed in thick beds of loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. EAUGALLIE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Alfic Alaquods The EauGallie series consists of deep or very deep, poorly or very poorly drained, slowly permeable soils in flats, sloughs and depressional areas in Peninsula Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments in Peninsula Florida. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. ELECTRA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Oxyaquic Alorthods The Electra series consists of somewhat poorly drained soils that formed in thick beds of sandy and loamy marine sediments on slight ridges in the flatwoods areas of central and southern Florida. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. FLORIDANA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, superactive, hyperthermic Arenic Argiaquolls The Floridana series consists of very deep, very poorly drained, slowly to very slowly permeable soils on low broad flats, flood plains, and in depressional areas. They formed in thick beds of sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 1 percent. HALLANDALE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Siliceous, hyperthermic Lithic Psammaquents The Hallandale series consists of shallow, poorly and very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils formed in thin deposits of marine sandy materials over limestone. They occur on broad low flats, sloughs, shallow depressions, and adjacent tidal areas in Peninsular Florida. They are saturated during the summer rainy season and after periods of heavy rainfall in other seasons. Slopes are less than 2 percent. HILOLO SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, superactive, hyperthermic Mollic Endoaqualfs The Hilolo series consists of deep, poorly drained slowly permeable soils formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments influenced by underlying alkaline materials. They occur on nearly level areas and along borders of depressions and sloughs in Peninsular Florida. Slopes are less than 2 percent. Hilolo soils are on cabbage palm hammocks and along borders of depressions and sloughs. HOBE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Entic Grossarenic Alorthods The Hobe series consists of very deep, somewhat excessively drained, moderately permeable soils on elevated knolls and ridges in the flatwoods areas of the lower Coastal Plains of Florida. They formed in thick beds of sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. HONTOON SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Dysic, hyperthermic Typic Haplosaprists The Hontoon series consists of deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable organic soils formed in hydrophytic non-woody plant remains. These soils occur in fresh water swamps, marshes and poorly defined drainageways. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. JONATHAN SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Grossarenic Alorthods The Jonathan series consists of very deep, moderately well to somewhat excessively drained, very slowly or slowly permeable soils on slightly elevated knolls and ridges in flatwoods areas of the Lower Coastal Plains of Florida. They formed in thick beds of sandy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. JUPITER SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Lithic Endoaquolls The Jupiter series consists of shallow, poorly and very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils formed in a thin bed of sandy marine sediments deposited over limestone. They are on broad low flats, low hammocks, and in poorly defined drainageways. Slopes are 2 percent or less. KALIGA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, dysic, hyperthermic Terric Haplosaprists The Kaliga series consists of very poorly drained, slowly to very slowly permeable soils that formed in moderately thick deposits of sapric material and underlying loamy and clayey materials. These soils are on nearly level low flats, marshes, and swamps in the Coastal Plain. These soils are saturated or covered with water for much of the year. Water runs off the surface very slowly. Slope is dominantly less than 1 percent. KESSON SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Psammaquents The Kesson series consists of deep, very poorly drained, rapid to moderately rapid permeable soils that formed in thick marine deposits of sand and shell fragments in tidal swamps and marshes along the Gulf Coast of Peninsular Florida. Slopes range from 0 to 1 percent. LAWNWOOD SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Aeric Alaquods The Lawnwood series consists of very deep, poorly drained, very slowly to moderately slowly permeable soils on broad flatwoods in the lower Coastal Plain of Peninsular Florida. They formed in sandy marine sediments. Slopes are dominantly less than 1 percent, but range up to 2 percent along edges of depressions and drainage ways. MALABAR SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Grossarenic Endoaqualfs The Malabar series consists of very deep, poorly to very poorly drained soils in sloughs, shallow depressions, and along flood plains. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. MCKEE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, nonacid, hyperthermic Typic Hydraquents The Mckee series consists of very poorly drained, very slowly permeable soils that formed in unconsolidated loamy or clayey tidal deposits. They occur on nearly level mangrove islands and swamps at or near sea level. Slopes are less than one percent. MYAKKA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Aeric Alaquods The Myakka series consists of deep and very deep, poorly to very poorly drained soils formed in sandy marine deposits. These soils are on flatwoods, high tidal areas, flood plains, depressions, and gently sloping to sloping barrier islands. They have rapid permeability in the A horizon and moderate or moderately rapid permeability in the Bh horizon. Slopes range from 0 to 8 percent. NETTLES SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Alfic Arenic Alaquods The Nettles series consists of very deep, poorly and very poorly drained, slow or very slow permeable soils on broad areas of flats and depressions of central and southern Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. OLDSMAR SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Alfic Arenic Alaquods The Oldsmar series consists of very deep, poorly drained and very poorly drained soils in flats and depressions in the flatwoods of Peninsular Florida. They formed in sandy marine sediments overlying loamy materials. PALM BEACH SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartzipsamments The Palm Beach series consists of very deep, well to excessively drained, very rapidly permeable soils on dune-like ridges that are generally parallel to the coast. They formed in regolith that is a marine deposit of thick beds of sand and shell fragments. Slopes range from 0 to 17 percent. PAOLA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Spodic Quartzipsamments The Paola series consists of very deep, excessively drained, very rapidly permeable soils on uplands. They formed in thick sandy marine deposits more than 7 feet thick. Slopes range from 0 to 20 percent. PENDARVIS SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Oxyaquic Alorthods The Pendarvis series consists of very deep, moderately well drained, slowly or moderately slowly permeable soils on low ridges and knolls in the flatwoods in central and southern Florida. They formed in thick deposits of sandy marine sediments. Slope is dominantly less than 2 percent but ranges to 5 percent along drainage ways and depressions. PEPPER SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Alfic Alaquods The Pepper series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly or very slowly permeable soils on broad areas in the flatwoods of of central and south Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. PINEDA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Arenic Glossaqualfs The Pineda series consists of deep and very deep, poorly and very poorly drained, very slowly permeable soils in depressions, low hammocks, poorly defined drainageways, broad low flats, and flood plains. They formed in thick beds of sandy and loamy marine sediments on the lower Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. POMPANO SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Psammaquents The Pompano series consists of very deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils in depressions, drainageways, and broad flats in Peninsular Florida. They formed in thick beds of marine sands. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. POPLE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Arenic Endoaqualfs The Pople series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly permeable soils that formed in sandy and loamy marine deposits influenced by alkaline materials. These soils are on nearly level, flatwoods and low ridges in Peninsular Florida. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. RIVIERA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Arenic Glossaqualfs The Riviera series consists of very deep, poorly drained, very slowly permeable soils on broad, low flats and in depressions in the Lower Coastal Plain. They formed in stratified sandy and loamy marine sediments on the Lower Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. SALERNO SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Grossarenic Alaquods The Salerno series consists of very deep, poorly drained, very slowly permeable soils on the flatwoods of Peninsular Florida. They formed in sandy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. PUNTA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Grossarenic Alaquods The Punta series consists of very deep, poorly drained soils that formed in sandy marine sediments on slightly elevated flatwoods areas of peninsular Florida. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. SAMSULA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy or sandy-skeletal, siliceous, dysic, hyperthermic Terric Haplosaprists The Samsula series consists of very deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils that formed in moderately thick beds of hydrophytic plant remains and are underlain by sandy marine sediments. These soils are in freshwater swamps, poorly defined drainageways and flood plains. Slopes are less than 2 percent. SATELLITE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Aquic Quartzipsamments The Satellite series consists of very deep, somewhat poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils on low knolls and ridges of the Florida flatwoods and ridges on higher elevations in the Lower Coastal Plain. They formed in thick beds of marine sand. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. ST. LUCIE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Hyperthermic, uncoated Typic Quartzipsamments The St. Lucie series consists of very deep, excessively drained, very rapidly permeable soils on dune-like ridges and on isolated knolls. They formed in marine or eolian sand. Slopes range from 0 to 20 percent. SUSANNA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Ultic Alaquods The Susanna series consists of very deep, poorly drained, very slowly permeable soils on broad flats of central and southern Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. WAUCHULA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy over loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Ultic Alaquods The Wauchula series consists of very deep, very poorly or poorly drained, moderately slow or slowly permeable soils on flatwoods on the lower coastal plains. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. TANTILE SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Ultic Alaquods The Tantile series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly or very slowly permeable soils on broad areas in the flatwoods of central and southern Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. POMONA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Ultic Alaquods The Pomona series consists of very deep, poorly and very poorly drained, moderate to moderately slowly permeable soils on broad low ridges within the flatwoods areas of the Lower Coastal Plain. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent. TERRA CEIA SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Euic, hyperthermic Typic Haplosaprists The Terra Ceia series consists of very deep, very poorly drained organic soils that formed from nonwoody fibrous hydrophytic plant remains. They occur mostly in nearly level fresh water marshes and occasionally on river flood plains and in tidal swamps or flats. WABASSO SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy over loamy, siliceous, active, hyperthermic Alfic Alaquods The Wabasso series consists of deep or very deep, very poorly and poorly drained, very slowly and slowly permeable soils on flatwoods, flood plains, and depressions in Peninsula Florida. They formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. WAVELAND SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, ortstein Arenic Alaquods The Waveland series consists of very deep, very poorly and poorly drained, very slowly to moderately slowly permeable soils on broad areas of flatwoods and depressions in the Lower Coastal Plain of Peninsular Florida. They formed in sandy marine sediments. Slopes are dominantly less than 1 percent but range up to 2 percent along the edges of depressions and drainage ways. WINDER SERIES TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, siliceous, superactive, hyperthermic Typic Glossaqualfs The Winder series consists of very deep, poorly drained, slowly to very slowly permeable soils on broad, low flats and depressional areas. They formed in loamy marine sediments on the Lower Coastal Plain. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. Appendix 6-B. Habitat Coverage Descriptions Section I. Agriculture. Agriculture. In a broad sense agricultural lands are those lands which are cultivated to produce food crops and livestock. There are various sub-categories of agriculture. The subcategories within the County are: Citrus. Oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines are the typical crops grown in citrus groves. Citrus groves are a subcategory of tree crops which can also include fruit orchards. Improved Pastures. Improved pastures typically have been cleared, tilled, reseeded with specific grass types, and periodically improved with brush control and fertilizer application. Unimproved Pastures. Unimproved pastures include cleared land with major stands of trees and brush where native grasses have been allowed to develop. Normally, this land will not be managed with brush control and/or fertilizer application. Row/Field Crops. Corn, tomatoes, potatoes and beans are typical row crops found in Florida. Rows remain well defined even after crops have been harvested. Wheat, oats, hay and grasses are the primary types identified as the field crops. Other Agriculture. This category includes those agricultural lands whose intended usage cannot be determined. Section II. Developed and disturbed lands. Urban. Urban consists of areas of intensive use with much of the land occupied by man-made structures. High impact is densely developed areas, where examples of low impact would be represented by areas of low intensity residential, rural residential or recreational type subdivisions. Bare Soil/Clearcut. Barren Land has very little or no vegetation and limited potential to support vegetative communities. In general, it is an area of bare soil or rock. Barren land may also temporarily exist due to human activity such as clearing or resource extraction. Extractive. Extractive areas encompass both surface and subsurface mining operations. Exotic Plants. Land areas with a predominant coverage of exotic and invasive vegetation. Section III. Native Upland Vegetative Communities Beach Dune and Coastal Strand. TheBeach dune and coastal strand communities are the closest communities to the high-energy ocean shoreline and occupy the immediate Atlantic coast on Hutchison Island. Above the reach of annual wave action is the foredune, built by coarse, rhizomatous grasses; primarily sea oats (Uniola paniculata), that thrive under constant burial from sand blown off the beach. Beyond the zone of constant sand burial are the dwarfed trees and shrubs of the coastal strand. The species growing in this zone are kept at a low stature by salt spray, which kills the upward-growing leader shoots. Cypress/Pine/Cabbage Palm. This community includes cypress, pines and/or cabbage palm in combinations in which no species achieves dominance. Although not strictly a wetland community, it forms a transition between moist upland and hydric sites. Dry Prairie. This category includes upland prairie grasses which occur on non-hydric soils but may be occasionally inundated by water. These areas are generally treeless with a variety of vegetation types dominated by grasses, sedges, rushes and other herbs including wire grasses with some saw palmetto present. The dry prairie community is a pyrogenic landscape with a ground cover diverse in regionally endemic plant taxa. Grassland . A grassland is an upland community where the predominant vegetative cover is very low-growing grasses and forbs, most commonly in monocultures of non-invasive, non- native species. Hardwood Hammocks and Forests. This classification of upland forest lands has a crown canopy with at least a 66% dominance by hardwood tree species. This class, like the Upland Conifer class, is reserved for naturally generated stands. Common components of the temperate hammock may include, depending upon the location, a wide variety of oaks, red bay, sweetbay, magnolia, sweetgum, sugarberry, hickories, cabbage palm, hollies and cedar. Various pines are minor associates. Mixed Pine Hardwood Forest. This category is a mixture of sand pine and slash pine with a wide variety of hardwoods. Pinelands. These forests are quite common throughout much of Northern and Central Florida. Originally, longleaf pines were common on drier sites while slash pines, which are less fire- resistant, were confined to moister sites; wildfire being the contributing factor in this distribution. However, fire control and artificial reforestation have extended the range of slash pine into former longleaf sites. The pine flatwoods class is dominated by either slash pine, longleaf pine or both and less frequently pond pine. The common flatwoods understory species include saw palmetto, wax myrtle, gallberry and a wide variety of herbs and brush. Scrub Communities. Florida scrub is a plant community easily recognized by the dominance of evergreen shrubs and frequent patches of bare, white sand. Florida scrub in its various phases has been called xeric scrub, sand scrub, big scrub, sand pine scrub, oak scrub, evergreen oak scrub, dune oak scrub, evergreen scrub forest, slash pine scrub, palmetto scrub, rosemary scrub, and rosemary bald. Florida scrubs may be classified as coastal or interior. Scrubs are often named by the dominant plant species, as in rosemary scrub, sand pine scrub, palmetto scrub, or oak scrub. When sand pines (Pinus clausa) are present in scrub they do not form a continuous canopy but occur as scattered individuals or clumps of individuals. The scrub sub- community identified within the Town include the following: Sand Pine. This pine community grows on deep, infertile deposits of marine sands and clays. There are two varieties of sand pines, both occurring in Florida. The Ocala variety naturally occurs in South Florida growing in densely-stocked, pure, even-aged stands. The Choctawhatchee variety of western panhandle Florida commonly occurs in uneven- aged stands invading oak communities. A root disease complex gives many sand pine stands a disheveled appearance. Its dark crown coloration distinguishes it from other southern pines. Xeric Oak. This community is similar to and occupies the same sites as the Longleaf Pine - Xeric Oak community except that the pines, if present, are not the dominant species. In many cases longleaf pine may have been present in significant numbers prior to harvesting but were never regenerated. Species common to this class include sand live oak, bluejack oak, turkey oak and post oak. Shrub and Brushland. This category includes saw palmettos, gallberry, wax myrtle, coastal scrub and other shrubs and brush. Generally, saw palmetto is the most prevalent plant cover intermixed with a wide variety of other woody scrub plant species as well as various types of short herbs and grasses. Coastal scrub vegetation would include pioneer herbs and shrubs composed of such typical plants as sea purslane, sea grapes and sea oats without any one of these types being dominant. Section IV. Water and Wetlands. Open Water. Open water is area that is predominantly and persistently water covered. Open water includes streams, lakes and sloughs, as well as manmade water features. The Indian River lagoon estuary and the Intracoastal Water Way are examples of open water. Wetlands. Marsh, wet prairie and swamps are the types of wetlands found within the County. Wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils and standing water. Shallow water bodies having emergent vegetation or observable submerged vegetation are also placed in the wetlands category. Wet Prairie. Wet prairies are freshwater systems composed grassy vegetation in hydric soils.There is a complex mosaic that makes up the longer hydroperiod marsh and the shorter hydroperiod wet prairie. Wet prairies are often difficult to delineate, and designation is often based on soil and indirect evidence of average high water levels. In general, wet prairies are distinguished from a marsh by having less water and shorter herbage. Additionally, wet prairies typically have a very diverse species community unlike marshes which are dominated by fewer than 10 species. Marshes. The plants in marshes and wet prairies show a wide range of adaptations for dealing with floods and anaerobic conditions, droughts and aerobic conditions. Most marsh types are dominated by fewer than 10 species, marshes frequently will be dominated by one species. Marshes can be isolated or adjacent to canals, rivers, lagoons, lakes or sloughs. Marshes are herbaceous and can be freshwater or saltwater. Salt Marsh. Salt marshes are situated between the land and the sea and experience the effects of both salt and fresh water. Salt marshes are found in flat, protected waters usually within the protection of a barrier island, estuary, or along low-energy coastlines. Salt marsh plants are salt-tolerant or halophytic species that have developed biological and physiological mechanisms to adjust to a range in environmental conditions and to tolerate the stresses of salinity changes and periodic inundation. Tidal effects are greatest on salt marsh areas below mean low water, while upland freshwater sources influence areas above mean high water. Swamps. Forested wetlands are referred to as swamps. Forested communities support a tree canopy closure of 10% or more. Swamps are further identified by type, such as mangrove, hardwood, cypress, Bay or mixed wetland forest, which are the types found within the County. Hardwood Swamp. Hardwood swamps must be 66% or more dominated by wetland hardwood species, either salt or freshwater. Cypress Swamp. Cypress swamps can be composed of pond cypress or bald cypress which is either pure or predominant. Bay Swamp. This category is composed of dominant trees such as loblolly bay, sweetbay magnolia, swamp bay with slash pines and loblolly pines as associated component at times. Large gallberry, fetterbush, wax myrtle and tit are included in the understory vegetation. Mixed Wetland Forest. A mixed wetland forest supports a tree canopy closure of 10% or more with communities in which neither hardwoods or conifers achieve a 66% dominance of the crown canopy composition. Mangrove Swamp . Mangrove communities occur in depressions along the coast and near shore where precipitation and sheetflow collect and are tidally influenced. Red mangroves are more common along the coastal areas, while black and whites dominate further inland. Dense mangrove forests do not typically have understory plant associations, except for mangrove seedlings. The local distribution of mangroves is affected primarily by a variety of interacting factors that include microclimate, substrate type, tidal fluctuation, terrestrial nutrients, wave energy, and salt water. Mangroves are unique in that their morphological specialization such as aerial roots, vivipary, and salt excretion or excluding abilities. Shrub Swamp. Shrub swamps are wetlands where the crown closure threshold does not meet the forested category or the associated species contains willow and low scrub with no dominate species. Appendix 6 - C. Listed Wildlife Species that may occur within St. Lucie County Common NameScientific NameStateFederal Fish cipenser brevirostrumE Shortnose sturgeon A Smalltoothed sawfishPristis pectinataE Mangrove rivulusRivulus marmoratuSSC(1) s Reptiles American alligatolligator mississippiensiSSC (1,3)T (s/a) rAs Atlantic loggerhead turtleCaretta carettaTT American CrocodileCrocodylus acutuET s Atlantic green turtleChelonia mydaEE s Leatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceaEE Eastern indigo snakeDrymarchon corais couperiTT Atlantic hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataEE Gopher tortoiseGopherus polyphemusT Atlantic salt marsh snakeNerodia clarkii taeniataT SSC(2) Florida pine snakePituophis melanoleucus mugitus Birds Roseate spoonbilljaia ajajaSSC A Florida scrub jayAphelocoma coerulescensTT LimpkinAramus guaraunaSSC(1) Burrowing owlAthene cuniculariaSSC(1) Red knotCalidris canutus rufaC Campephilus principaluEE Ivory-billed woodpeckers Piping plover Charadrius melodus TT Dendroica kirtlandiEE Kirtland's warbleri Little blue heronEgretta caeruleaSSC(1,4) Reddish egretEgretta rufescensSSC Snowy egreEgretta thulaSSC(1) t Tricolored heronEgretta tricolorSSC(1,4) White ibisEudocimus albuSSC(2) s Arctic peregrine falconFalco peregrinus tundriuEE s Southeastern American kestrelFalco sparverius paulusT Whooping craneGus americanaSSC(5) Florida sandhill craneGrus canadensis pratensisT Haematopus palliatuSSC(1,2) American oystercatchers Wood storkMycteria americanaEE SSC(1) Brown pelicanPelecanus occidentalis Red-cockaded woodpeckerPicoides borealisSSCE Roseate spoonbillPlatalea ajujaSSC(1,4) Audubon’s crested caracaraPolyborus plancus auduboniiTT Everglades snail kiteRostrhamus sociabilis plumbeuaEE, CH Black skimmerRynchops nigeSSC(1) r Least ternSterna antillarumT Roseate ternSterna dougallTT i Appendix 6 - C. Listed Wildlife Species that may occur within St. Lucie County Mammals Southeastern beach mousePeromyscus polionotus niveiventrisTT Florida mousePodomys floridanusSSC (1) Florida panthePuma concolor coryiEE r Sherman fox squirrelSciurus niger shermanSSC(1,2) i West Indian manateeTrichechus manatuEE, CH s Amphibians Gopher frogRana capitoSSC (1,2) E = Endangered T= Threatended SSC = Species of Special Concern C = Candidate SA = Similarity of appearance to a listed species Reasons for SSC listings prior to January 1, 2001 are indicated by the number in parenthesis under the following criteria: (1) has a significant vulnerability to habitat modification, environmental alteration, human disturbance, or human exploitation which, in the foreseeable future, may result in its becoming a threatened species unless appropriate protective or management techniques are initiated or maintained; (2) may already meet certain criteria for designation as a threatened species but for which conclusive data are limited or lacking; (3) may occupy such an unusually vital or essential ecological niche that should it decline significantly in numbers or distribution other species would be adversely affected to a significant degree; (4) has not sufficiently recovered from past population depletion, and (5) occurs as a population either intentionally introduced or being experimentally managed to attain specific objectives, and the species of special concern prohibitions in Rule 68A-27.002, F.A.C., shall not apply to species so designated, provided that the intentional killing, attempting to kill, possession or sale of such species is prohibited. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, listed species by County found at: ©©©òº©ò¹±ªñª»®±¾»¿½¸ñ·³¿¹»ñ°¼º´·¾®¿®§ñÍ¬òûîðÔ«½·»ûîðÝ±«²¬§îò°¼º Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission list of Imperiled Species found at: ¸¬¬°æññ³§º©½ò½±³ñÉ×ÔÜÔ×ÚÛØßÞ×ÌßÌÍñ·³°»®·´»¼Í°°Á·²¼»¨ò¸¬³ Ú´±®·¼¿Ò¿¬«®¿´ß®»¿×²ª»²¬±®§øÚÒß×÷Ì®¿½µ·²¹´·¬±º®¿®»°»½·»·²Í¬òÔ«½·»Ý±«²¬§º±«²¼¿¬æ ¸¬¬°æññ©©©òº²¿·ò±®¹ñ¬®¿½µ·²¹´·¬ò½º³ RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION The Recreation and Open Space Element presents a review of the current recreation facilities and opportunities in St. Lucie County, and includes Level of Service Standards and Goals, Objectives and Policies designed to assist the County in meeting the future recreation needs of its residents and visitors. Recreation facilities are important components of a community’s physical development pattern. They contribute to the attractiveness of the area, as well as the health and well- being of its citizens. St. Lucie County’s location along the Atlantic Ocean provides abundant water-oriented recreational opportunities. The County would like to continue providing for diverse recreational interests with an emphasis on community and regional park creation in the future. OVERVIEW OF CURRENT CONDITIONS The St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Services Services Department, Environmental Resources Department, and Mosquito Control and Coastal Management Services Department operate facilities and conducts programs throughout the County. These activities are conducted at County-owned or leased recreational facilities which are under the management or use of several departments. Several park facilities within the City of Fort Pierce are under the maintenance responsibility of the City; however, program administration has, through an interlocal agreement, been delegated to the County. The City of Port St. Lucie operates and maintains their own park facilities and programs. In addition to the local facilities, the State of Florida owns/operates/administers over 7,750 acres of recreational and open space lands within the County. Community Parks System Master Plan and Classification System The St. Lucie County Community Parks System Master Plan adopted in 2002, indicates that the provision of larger parks such as community and urban district (generally called “regional”) parks should be the main emphasis of the County’s parks and recreation system. The Parks and Recreation Services Department revised its parks classification system in 2010 based upon an extensive review of other Florida Comprehensive Plan Recreation and Open Space Elements. The current framework includes the following categories: Neighborhood Parks This general classification of parks includes parks that serve neighborhoods and mixed use centers in suburban and urban areas of the County. They are easily accessible, low- intensity recreational areas for unscheduled use. Neighborhood Parks provide visual relief from urban congestion and scenic value, and buffering between adjacent land uses. Primary users are within walking distance (1/2 plus/minus mile radius). Ease of non-motorized access is a primary consideration. Typically less than 25 acres, they St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-1 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 primarily offer a variety of active or passive recreation opportunities, or a combination of both, amenities may include a playground, picnic shelter or picnic area, basketball court, open space play/practice fields and perimeter walking trails. NOTE: No level of service standard to be adopted for Neighborhood Parks. Community Parks This park classification includes larger parks that serve larger geographic areas of the County and provide a variety of individual and organized recreation activities conveniently located for short-term visits. Community parks may be located in residential and suburban areas. Community parks may also be located adjacent to elementary or middle schools to maximize cooperative use of recreation facilities. Parking is provided on the site or on a shared location with an appropriate adjoining facility. The service area for community parks generally extends up to 10 miles. The park size is typically 26 - 99 acres, serving several neighborhoods. Facility development may include picnic shelters and tables, court facilities (tennis, basketball and/or volleyball), playground, garden plots, athletic fields, Recreation Center, trails and parking. Courts and athletic facilities may be lighted or unlighted. Restroom facilities may exist on site with scheduled athletic fields. Access should be available by secondary roads, where possible, as well as the Countywide trail system to encourage pedestrian and bicycle trips; public transit access is also desirable. Service area is generally a two mile radius. Parking must be provided. Community Water Access Parks (Beach and River) This park classification includes parks that serve the entire County and provide access to beaches and inland waters. Some water access parks may be leased under state management plans. Depending on the specific location, a variety of access modes may be available – from automobiles, buses, walk-to, canoe/kayak-to, boat-to and public transit. The service area is county-wide and the size will vary. Some parks are under management plans which should give total consideration to the resources and allow public use only as compatible with resource protection. Other facilities provided may include picnic areas, pavilions, boat ramps, canoe/kayak launches, fishing piers, fish cleaning tables, sand volleyball, and playgrounds. Restroom facilities may exist on the site. Parking must be provided. For LOS analysis, these parks are considered a subset of Community Parks, and acreage is folded into “Community Parks”. Regional Parks This classification includes parks that primarily serves the needs of an entire community or region, or has specialized facilities, and is greater than 100 acres. Regional Parks have a service area radius of ten to twenty miles. A wide variety of passive and active recreation facilities including “Athletic Complexes”, picnic shelters and tables, court facilities (tennis, basketball and/or volleyball), playground, pools, recreation centers, campgrounds, golf courses, stadiums, trails and parking. Courts and athletic facilities are typically lighted. Restroom facilities exist on site with scheduled athletic fields. Access should be available by primary roads where possible. Public transit access is also desirable. Parking must be provided. These parks may be located in most areas of the County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-2 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Resource-based Parks (ESL and Preserves) This classification includes parks that primarily preserve and protect environmentally sensitive lands, and interpret natural and/or cultural resources. The location for Resource-based Parks is determined by the location of the specific resources. Size and access can take many forms depending on the setting and type of resources. Management plans should give consideration to the resource and allow public use only as it is compatible with resource protection. Resource-based Parks are selected for inclusion in the park system because of their exemplary natural and/or cultural features and are acquired, identified and preserved for stewardship and protection. Protection and stewardship of unique natural and cultural resources provide a variety of public benefits. These parks provide educational and interpretative opportunities relative to environmental and cultural resources. These lands may offer opportunities to restore degraded areas and to protect, increase, and restore biodiversity of species that may inhabit these areas. In addition, passive recreation opportunities and facilities are also appropriate at these parks. Development which does not adversely affect resources and which enhances awareness of the resource values is appropriate. Development of public sites should include opportunities for public education and enjoyment. Interpretive (educational) facilities and structures may include visitor centers, nature centers, orientation kiosks, nature watching stations, demonstration areas, preserved buildings and gardens, hiking, biking, and equestrian trails as designated. To the extent that they do not adversely impact the resources themselves, support amenities may also be developed such as camping, picnicking areas, restrooms, signs, benches and parking. Trails and trail connections are a significant feature at these parks. Inventory of Existing Facilities The following table summarizes existing recreation and open space facilities owned, operated, and/or maintained by St. Lucie County. The location of the facilities is indicated on Map REC-1. Many of the existing parks continue historic Comprehensive Plan categorizations. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-3 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 7-1: Parks Inventory NameAddress Acres SLC Neighborhood Parks (Unincorporated St. Lucie County) Collins Park341 Barraclough St 0.62 Palm Lake Park5000 Seagrape Dr 8.91 Indrio Road Park and School House8850 Indrio Rd 7.75 Lakewood Park6106 N Kings Hwy 7.14 Paradise Park2020 Juanita Avenue 1.72 White City School Recreation 905 W. 2nd Street 2.00 28.14 SLC Neighborhood Parks (Within City Limits) Maravilla2622 Oleander Blvd 6.00 6.00 SLC Community Parks (Unincorporated St. Lucie County) White City Park1801 W Midway Rd 15.37 15.37 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-4 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-5 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 NameAddress Acres Resource-Based Park (ESL & Preserves) Bear Point Sanctuary2601 S Ocean Dr 341.64 Blind Creek Riverside North4651 S Ocean Dr 35.12 Bluefield Preserve30501 Bluefield Ranch Rd 3,276.93 Captain Hammonds HammockCanoe Access Only 34.31 Citrus HammockCanoe Access Only 46.82 Coon Island ParkIndian River Lagoon 2.92 DJ Wilcox Preserve300 Michigan St 66.71 George Lestrange Preserve4911 Ralls Rd 96.65 Germany Canal Recreation AreaGermany Rd 640.00 Goat IslandCanoe Access Only 21.40 Gordy Road Recreation Area3650 Gordy Rd 40.96 Greene Swamp 513.00 Harbor Branch Preserve 250.00 Indrio Savannas Preserve5100 Tozour Road 297.00 Indrio Scrub Preserve5100 Old Dixie Hwy 13.23 Jack Island State Preserve900 Jack Island Access Rd 414.32 Kings Island Preserve900 Jack Island Access Rd 166.25 Ocean Bay Riverside6851 S Ocean Dr 88.14 Oxbow Eco Center5400 NE St James Dr 254.15 Paleo Hammock Preserve8551 Carlton Rd 194.80 Pinelands Preserve7601 VPI Grove Rd 750.79 Platt's CreekNorth Fork of the St. Lucie River 100.00 Queens Island Preserve4653 SR N Highway A1A 389.55 Savannas Recreation Area1400 E Midway Rd 561.35 Sheraton Scrub Preserve2222 N 41st St 65.12 Spruce Bluff Preserve611 SE Dar Ln 88.27 Sweetwater Hammock Preserve4100 S 25th St 8.32 Teague Hammock Preserve8550 Carlton Rd 300.38 Ten Mile Creek Preserve3401 Gordy Rd 8.63 Walton Scrub Preserve10809 S Indian River Dr 31.25 Wildcat Cove3399 N SR Highway A1A 114.68 9,212.69 Other County Facilities Fairgrounds and Equestrian Center15601 W Midway Rd 245.85 Fairwinds Golf Course4400 Fairwinds Dr 323.16 Havert L Fenn Center2000 Virginia Ave 5.06 Lawnwood Skate Park2100 Virginia Ave 5.10 Lincoln Park Community Center1306 Avenue M 2.71 Museum Pointe Park414 Seaway Dr 9.30 National Navy UDT SEAL Museum3300 N Highway A1A 11.55 Ravenswood Community Pool & Shuffleboard Courts200 Ravenswood Lane 1.59 St Lucie County Marine Center420 Seaway Dr 0.20 St Lucie County Regional History Center414 Seaway Dr 0.77 St Lucie Village Heritage Park305 Torpey Rd 75.58 Tradition Field Sports Complx525 NW Peacock Dr 97.48 Walton Community Center11090 Ridge Ave 0.76 --+È33 Source: St. Lucie Growth Management, St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Services, 2010. Note: The County is evaluating public access and potential future acquisition for its Greenways & Trails Program. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-6 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 As Table 7-1 indicates, St. Lucie County contains approximately 2,592 acres of neighborhood, community, water access, and regional parks, and other County facilities. Resource-based parks, including Environmentally Significant Lands and preserves, comprise over 9,212 acres. Ownership of and responsibility for the management of the recreational lands in St. Lucie County falls to a mixture of state and local agencies. Additionally, the State of Florida operates four major parks in St. Lucie County. These are: Jack Island State Preserve (414.32 acres) Ft. Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area (355.38 acres) Avalon State Park (673.62 acres) Savannas Preserve State Park (6,311.33 acres) Private Recreation Facilities In addition to public facilities, St. Lucie County has a number of large developments that have private recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis courts, pools, and trails. Most residential development projects that use the Planned Unit Development zoning furnish some type of recreational facilities for their residents. These facilities satisfy some proportion of the total recreation demand for the residents of these communities. NEEDS ANALYSIS Level of Service: Community Parks The St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan includes Beach Access and Beach Parks in its level of service (LOS) measurement for Community Parks. The current inventory shows 1,518.84 acres of Community Parks and Community Water Access Parks. The LOS standard for publicly-owned Community Parks in St. Lucie County is 5 acres per one thousand (1,000) residents in the County’s unincorporated area. As a comparison, Martin County and Palm Beach County have Community Park levels of service of 2 acres and 2.5 acres per 1,000 residents respectively. St. Lucie County’s LOS for this recreation category is projected through 2030. As the following table shows, the County will have sufficient Community Park acreage in the short and long term planning periods. Community Parks LOS projections 2009201020112015202020252030 Population (unincorporated area only)72,92574,98375,96179,87483,97487,79691,201 Community Park acreage 1,519 1,519 1,519 1,519 1,519 1,519 1,519 Acreage needed to maintain LOS365 375 380 399 420 439 456 Surplus/deficit acreage1,1541,1441,1391,1191,0991,0801,063 Source: St. Lucie County, Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2010. Based on 125.69 acres of Community Parks and 1,393.15 acres of Community Water Access Parks. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-7 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Level of Service: Regional Parks The current inventory identifies 259.94 acres of Regional Parks. The LOS standard for Regional Parks in St. Lucie County is 2.5 acres per one thousand (1,000) residents Countywide. As the following table shows, the County has a deficit of Regional Park acreage. The County shall review development of additional regional parks to fulfill the 2002 Community Parks Master Plan and future updates. Regional Parks LOS projections 2009201020112015202020252030 Population (Countywide)272,864 276,700 283,980 313,100 354,300 395,200 434,100 Regional Park acreage 260 260 260 260 260 260 260 Acreage needed to maintain LOS682 692 710 783 886 988 1,085 Surplus/deficit acreage-422-432-450-523-626-728-825 Source: St. Lucie County, Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2010. Based on 259.94 acres of Regional Parks. Level of Service: Resource-based Parks The current inventory identifies 9,212.69 acres of Resource-based Parks. The LOS standard for Resource-based Parks in St. Lucie County is 21.2 acres per one thousand (1,000) residents Countywide. As the following table shows, the County will have sufficient Resource-based Park acreage in the short and long term planning periods. It should be noted most counties do not provide a resource-based park level of service. However, because these parks are such an important part of St. Lucie County’s overall all recreational amenities, they have been included. Resource-based Parks LOS projections 2009201020112015202020252030 Population (Countywide)272,864 276,700 283,980 313,100 354,300 395,200 434,100 Resource Based Park acreage 9,213 9,213 9,213 9,213 9,213 9,213 9,213 Acreage needed to maintain LOS5,785 5,866 6,020 6,638 7,511 8,378 9,203 Surplus/deficit acreage3,4283,3473,1922,5751,70283410 Source: St. Lucie County, Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., 2010. Based on 9,212.69 acres of Resourced-based Parks. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-8 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 RECREATION ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 97.1: Provide adequate parks, recreation facilities and open-space areas that offer a broad range of activities to all citizens and visitors of St. Lucie County. Objective 97.1.1: Active and passive recreation facilities and open-space areas for the residents and visitors of St. Lucie County shall be provided in a manner consistent with the Level of Service Standards set forth in this element. Consistency with these standards shall be maintained in subsequent years. Policy 97.1.1.1 - Level of Service for Recreation and Open Space shall be as follows: a. Community parks: 5 acres/1000 residents in the unincorporated area b. Regional parks: 5 2.5acres/1000 population countywide c. Outdoor Reserve Recreation AreaResource-based Parks: 28.6021.2 acres/1000 population countywide. (Ord. No. 07-019, §; B(Exh. A), 12-18- 07) Policy 97.1.1.2 - Accept and achieve the Level of Service Standards as set forth in this and the Capital Improvements Elements, through an equitable and systematic land acquisition and development program. Policy 97.1.1.3 - The County will continue to correct and improve upon existing deficiencies through additional land acquisition and development, and through expansion or renovation of existing parks and recreational facilities. through projects specified in the Capital Improvement Element. Policy 97.1.1.4 - All areas having the Conservation Public Land Use designation will be used solely for preservation and/or passive recreation. No residential or commercial development will be permitted other than development typically related to park service and security functions. Objective 97.1.2: Through the use of public funds, gifts, contributions, mandatory fees and/or deductions, cooperative agreements, or other means, St. Lucie County will coordinate public and private resources to meet the recreation and open space needs of its residents and visitors. Policy 97.1.2.1 - The County shall pursue development and enhancement of its recreational programs, facilities, open spaces, and natural preserves in the following programs: a. Continue to administer the countywide parks impact fee in order to partially fund new park development. b. Supplement facility needs through interlocal agreements, operational practices, user fees and public/private cooperative efforts. c. Utilization of municipal service taxing unit (MSTU) funds. d. Loans and bonds approved by referendum or by the Board of County Commissioners. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-9 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy9.1.2.2-TheCounty shall use monies collected from the parks impact fee to acquire additional open space and natural preservation areas and to develop necessary facilities. Policy 97.1.2.32 - The County shall continue to work with other units of local government to provide for the reciprocal use of recreation, school and other facilities, while ensuring neither party assumes an inequitable burden of expenses. Policy 97.1.2.43 - The County shall allow, to the extent legally possible, financially feasible, and whenever practical, other governmental agencies, such as the St. Lucie County School Board, to use the St. Lucie County Sports Complex. Policy 97.1.2.54- The County shall maintain a detailed Recreation and Open Space Inventory that indicates the general location of existing and proposed sites and facilities as well as functional classification, nature of improvements, usage, size, priority, and other appropriate considerations. Objective 97.1.3: St. Lucie County shall provide vehicular and pedestrian access to all public recreation facilities, including barrier-free design features at entrance points to facilities such as buildings used for group assembly, spectator seating areas, and beaches and shores. Policy 97.1.3.1 - Acquire and develop easements or rights-of-way as required to provide adequate access for public recreation facilities. Construct access ways which are compatible with the character and needs of the facility, as well as being harmonious with surrounding development patterns. Policy 97.1.3.2 - Continue to provide public access to Atlantic Ocean beaches, and continue to give careful consideration to providing related parking areas and dune cross-over facilities without disturbance to the dune environment, natural habitats, and designated areas of particular concern. Policy 7.1.3.3 – To the extent financially feasible, implement the policies advanced in the adopted Bicycle, Pedestrian, Greenways & Trailways Master Plan, as it may be amended, to promote non-motorized access and connectivity to recreational facilities. Objective 97.1.4: By January 2002, update the Countywide Facilities Master PlanTo the extent financially feasible, implement and update the vision of the March 2002 Community Parks System Master Plan. Policy 97.1.4.1 - Continue to Assess assess the County's recreational needs based on this the Level of Service Standards as defined in this Comprehensive Planplan. Policy 97.1.4.2 - Continue to seek funding for acquisition, expansion, and development of recreational infrastructure, with an emphasis and focus on Community and Regional Parks. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-10 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy9.1.4.3-Provide recreational infrastructure as required. Objective 97.1.5: Develop and implement strategies to encourage eco-tourism in St. Lucie County. Policy 97.1.5.1 - Identify appropriate and sustainable sites to develop as eco- tourism destinations and passive recreational opportunities. Policy 97.1.5.2 - Provide required infrastructure to attract visitors to and protect eco-tourism destinations. Policy 97.1.5.3 - In conjunction with the County's Tourist Development Office, publicize the improved eco-tourism sites and St. Lucie County as an eco-tourism destination. Objective 97.1.6: Develop and implement strategies to adequately manageContinue to preserve and enhance Environmentally Sensitive Lands in St. Lucie County. Policy 97.1.6.1 - Encourage the State of Florida to provide future funding for acquisition and management of Environmentally Sensitive Lands. Policy 97.1.6.2 - Seek funding from outside sources for acquisition, improvement and management of Environmentally Sensitive Lands. Policy 97.1.6.3 -To the extent financially feasible, Budgetbudgetfor personnel and equipment for management of Environmentally Sensitive Lands to ensure that these lands are preserved, enhanced, and developed for access and uses that will maintain wildlife habitat, open space, aesthetic value, and passive recreation. Policy 7.1.6.4 – As financially feasible, provide educational programs that foster awareness, understanding, and respect for natural resources. Objective 97.1.7: Provide for an integrated system of Greenways and Trails in St. Lucie County. Policy 97.1.7.1 - By July 1, 2002, finalizeTo the extent financially feasible, implement the goals, objectives, and policies advanced in the Bicycle, Pedestrian,Greenways and Trails Masterplan Master Plan for St. Lucie County. Policy 97.1.7.2 - Seek funding from outside sources for development and management of Greenways greenwaysand Trailstrails. Objective 97.1.8: The County shall protect environmentally significant areas with emphasis on native upland habitats, and the prevention of the net loss of listed species and their habitats. This shall be accomplished through the County Environmental Significant Lands Acquisition program, ongoing natural resource protection programs and the implementation of Land Development Code, including impact fees. (Ord. No. 07-019, § B (Exh. A), 12-18-07) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 7-11 Recreation Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS PURPOSE The purpose of the Intergovernmental Coordination Element is to identify and resolve incompatibilities between St. Lucie County’s comprehensive planning processes and those of other governmental entities with interests in or related to the County’s area of concern. The areas of concern for St. Lucie County include municipalities within the County, adjacent counties, the St. Lucie County School Board, the South Florida Water Management District, Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District, North St. Lucie River Water Control District, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, state government, federal government, and utility companies. Specific coordination needs within each of the elements of the St. Lucie County comprehensive plan that would benefit from improved or additional intergovernmental coordination and mechanisms for satisfying these needs are also identified, as appropriate. EXISTING DATA AND CONDITIONS St Lucie County currently has either formal or informal coordination agreements, or interacts through standard operating procedures under statutory authority, with the following agencies or jurisdictions: Municipal Government City of Fort Pierce City of Port St. Lucie Village of St. Lucie Adjacent County Government Indian River County Martin County Okeechobee County County Government St. Lucie County Fire District St. Lucie County Health Department St. Lucie County Property Appraiser St. Lucie County Sheriff St. Lucie County Supervisor or Elections St. Lucie County Tax Collector Education Bureau of Economic and Business Research (University of Florida) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (Florida Atlantic University) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-1 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Indian River State College Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) (University of Florida) St. Lucie County District School Board Other th 19 Judicial Circuit of Florida Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County Enterprise Florida Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District North St. Lucie River Water Control District North St. Lucie Hospital District Office of the Medical Examiner--19th Judicial District of Florida Rupert J. Smith Law Library of St. Lucie County Florida Smithsonian Institution St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Florida Departments and Agencies Department of Business and Professional Regulation Department of Children and Family Services Department of Community Affairs, Division of Community Planning Department of Community Affairs, Division of Emergency Management Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department of Revenue Department of Transportation Division of Historic Resources Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission South Florida Regional Planning Council South Florida Water Management District State Attorney’s Office United States Departments and Agencies Army Corps of Engineers Commerce, Census Bureau Environmental Protection Agency Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Postal Service Transportation Regulated Utilities AT&T Florida Cablevision Florida Power & Light Fort Pierce Utility Authority St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-2 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 EVALUATION OF EXISTING COORDINATION MECHANISMS For each agency previously listed, Table 8-1 briefly describes the existing coordination mechanisms indicating the subject, nature of the relationship and the office with primary responsibility for coordination. JOINT PLANNING AREAS Comparison with Regional Policy Plan The Strategic Regional Policy Plan for the Treasure Coast Region (1995) has been reviewed and considered during the process of revising this Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan conforms to the Regional Policy Plan. Specific Coordination Issues in Each Element Following is a summary the interagency coordination needs associated with each element of this Comprehensive Plan. Future Land Use Significant issues that warrant coordination include review of the western rural lands, annexations, and reduction of sprawl and greenhouse gases. The County will coordinate with the Department of Community Affairs, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Agency and local stakeholders on the Western Land Study. The County will continue to coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce on annexation through an interlocal agreement and pursue a similar agreement with the City of Port St. Lucie. Coastal Management In order to implement the goals of this element, the County works with various agencies including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Commission, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With the assistance of the FDEP the County continues to protect reefs and sea grass beds, West Indian Manatees, Sea Turtles, and other listed species, and marine turtles and turtle nesting habitats. The County works with a variety of state and regional agencies to create of a system of natural area greenways and wildlife corridors that will protect ecological communities in the coastal area. Coordination with FEMA includes monitoring FEMA’s regulations and updating the County’s adopted flood protection regulations accordingly. Port of Fort Pierce Sub-Element Efficient transportation to the Port is essential for movement of cargo. The County continues to coordinate with FDOT and the Florida East Coast Railroad on transportation issues related to the Port. Transportation The County works with City of Port St. Lucie, City of Fort Pierce, the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization, Martin County and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate the 2030 St. Lucie Transportation Plan, implementation of the 2030 Long Range Regional Transportation Plan, and transit planning. Interagency coordination with FDOT is also required for the development of FDOT’s annual Work Program and development of Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines. The last area of intergovernmental coordination is focused on the airport and involves coordination with the Florida FDOT, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Florida Aviation System. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-3 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Housing The County continues to coordination with U.S. Housing and Urban Development, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for affordable and workforce housing programs. The County shall work with the US Department of Commerce to ensure accurate population and housing information is provided for the 2010 Census. Additionally, the County shall dialogue with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to ensure an accurate inventory for any subsidized rental housing, group homes, or mobile home parks that may exist within the County. An inventory of historically significant housing is required for the Comprehensive Plan, and therefore periodic coordination and communication with the State’s Division of Historic Resources, Florida Master Site File is necessary. Infrastructure The Infrastructure Element provides for potable water, sewer, drainage, and solid waste facilities to meet the needs of existing and future development. The County shall continue to coordinate with the South Florida Water Management District and potable water providers on implementation of the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan and development of alternate water supplies. The County will coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to encourage these areas served by package plants to connect to a central sewer system. In coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, the County will continue to support projects related to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP)/IRL-South Plan in order to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River Estuary. Recreation and Open Space The intergovernmental coordination needs within this element include the ongoing work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and its oversight of four state parks located within the County. Further, through an interlocal agreement, program administration for many City of Fort Pierce parks has been delegated to the County. Finally, the County and the St. Lucie County School Board have informal arrangements that allow for shared recreational facilities. Conservation The County shall continue to coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wetlands, native habitats, and create greenways. Capital Improvements The County shall continue to coordinate with non-County entities that provide and monitor public facilities affecting concurrency such as the Florida Department of Transportation, the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the South Florida Water Management District. As part of the County’s overall economic development strategy, continued coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration on investment in the St. Lucie Airport shall continue to be a priority for the County. Economic Development Economic development is a high priority in the County and works continuously with the Economic Development Council and Enterprise Florida on attracting new businesses and encouraging the expansion of new businesses in St. Lucie County. In order to St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-4 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 encourage economic development, the County continues to focus on working with local higher education providers. In particular, the County will coordinate with the University of Florida through the Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority to develop an agriculturally-and-biotechnologically-focused research park (TCERDA). Towns, Villages, and Countryside (TVC) The County is coordinating with the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization and the Florida Department of Transportation on transportation improvements to accommodate the TVC area. Public School Facilities Element The County continues to coordinate with the St. Lucie School Board on school concurrency through implementation of the interlocal agreement. Areas of Critical State Concern There are no areas of critical state concern in St. Lucie County. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-5 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 108.1: Establish effective coordination measures among all pertinent public and quasi-public entities to best maintain St. Lucie County's quality of life and efficient use of resources. Objective 108.1.1: St. Lucie County shall establish specific means of coordination with adjacent municipalities; with local, State, and Federal agencies who have permitting and regulating authority; and with quasi-public entities which provide services but lack regulatory authority in St. Lucie County; with County volunteer groups; and with interested citizen groups residents who have notified the County of their interest. Policy 108.1.1.1 - Coordinate with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the Florida Department of Community AffairsMartin County, and the cities of Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce to complete the ongoing Alternate Land Use Study.implementation of the Western Lands Study. Policy 108.1.1.2 - Notify in writing the cities of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and St. Lucie Village of all applications for rezoning and land use amendments which are contiguous to their borders or within an area of planned annexation. Policy 108.1.1.3 - Through the development review process, coordinate all development in the unincorporated County with local governments that are adjacent to or will be impacted by the development. Policy 8.1.1.4 - Coordinate requests for development orders or permits, as appropriate, with adjacent counties, special districts, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the South Florida Water Management District and state and federal agencies. Policy 108.1.1.45- Charge the County Administrator with continuing responsibility for developing and enforcing an effective intergovernmental coordination program for St. Lucie County. Policy 108.1.1.56- Support the Treasure Coast Council of Governments to provide a regular formal forum in which to deal with issues unique to Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. Policy 108.1.1.67- Continue cooperative education programs between the County and regulatory agencies to inform the public and development community about applicable laws and regulations. Information should continue to be made available on the County’s website and may be distributed byThis could be accomplished byincluding brief informational pamphlets in utility bills or other means of widespread general circulation. Policy108.1.1.7 -By January 31st of each calendar year, formally request in writing that Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie Village designate their St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-11 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 anticipated future annexation areas, inform the County as to the nature of such plans, and provide furthernotification in the event there is change to these plans. Policy 108.1.1.8 - Continue to review transportation service volumes and Levels of Service as they relate to State roads, and coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) relative to State level of service standards. Policy 108.1.1.9 - Coordinate with communities within the unincorporated area as they explore the impacts of incorporation. Policy 8.1.1.10 – Per the June 2005 Joint Planning Agreement with the City of Fort Pierce and the March 2007 Joint Planning Agreement with the City of Port St Lucie, continue working with the municipalities on an ongoing basis for the evaluation of future development applications as well as for the adequate and cost effective provision of public services. Policy 108.1.1.10-By January 1, 2003, meet with representatives of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie Village to identify potential joint planning areas. Annexation and joint infrastructure are to be considered and discussed; more specifically, the following areas may be considered: Fort PierceAreas adjoining Okeechobee Road from Hartman Road to Eleven Mile Road area adjoining existing city limits. Port St. LucieExisting enclaves LTC Ranch/Midway Road area I-95/GatlinBoulevard area St. Lucie VillageNo areas identified. Policy 108.1.1.11-By January 1, 2003,Eestablish procedures to deal with future municipal incorporation proposalsThe County shall continue to implement a joint planning agreement with the City of Fort Pierce on coordination of the city’s annexation plans. Policy 8.1.1.12 – Explore annexation coordination procedures and an interlocal agreement with the City of Port St Lucie by January 2012. Policy 8.1.1.13 – Ensure that new development is in harmony with the physical, economic, and social development policies and goals of the adopted Treasure Coast Regional Policy Plan. Policy 8.1.1.14 – Explore the feasibility of agreements with Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie that would allow cross-jurisdictional transfers of development rights by January 2013. Policy 8.1.1.15 - The County shall cooperate with and assist the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Commission in the implementation of protective and recovery programs for the West Indian Manatees, Sea Turtles, and other listed species. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-12 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 8.1.1.16 - The County shall support and, when appropriate, assist the conservation efforts of public and private organizations which protect and promote the protection of marine turtles and turtle nesting habitat. Policy 8.1.1.17 - The County shall cooperate with the South Florida Water Management District to conserve water resources in emergencies and during declared water shortages. Policy 8.1.1.18 - The County shall coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), local municipalities and other appropriate agencies in alternative water supply planning efforts. Policy 8.1.1.19 - St. Lucie County shall cooperate with the FDEP and other applicable agencies in their management programs that provide for the protection of native habitats within the County Policy 8.1.1.20 – In cooperation with the Economic Development Council and the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce, assist in implementation of the revised Vision for St. Lucie County Policy 8.1.1.21 - Encourage and support research and development opportunities and public facilities related to campus master plans with educational providers to encourage and enhance clustering of targeted industries. Policy 8.1.1.22 - The County shall continue to work with other units of local government to provide for the reciprocal use of recreation, school and other facilities. Policy 8.1.1.23 - St. Lucie County shall continue, with the assistance of the State of Florida and the St. Lucie County Historical Commission, to identify significant historic resources within the unincorporated areas which are in need of protection and develop management and restoration plans as appropriate. Policy 8.1.12.4- The County shall coordinate with the US Army Corps of Engineers on maintaining authorized channel depth. Policy 8.1.1.25- The County shall coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village and the St. Lucie School Board to ensure compatibility of land uses adjacent to the Airport and consistency with the Airport Master Plan. Objective 108.1.2: The County shall coordinate the revision of Level of Service Standards for public facilities with any State, regional or local entity having operational and maintenance responsibility for such facilities; and coordinate on the provision of public facility improvements with the capital facility plans of any other governmental entity providing public facilities within St. Lucie County. Policy 108.1.2.1 - Concurrency Management procedures, as outlined in the Capital Improvements Element, will continue to be implemented by August 1, 1990,to ensure that required services will be available when needed. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-13 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 108.1.2.2 -– By 2012, Eestablish a Planning Forum, to meet at least quarterly, to coordinate programs of infrastructure development and improvement between the County, the municipalities, and interested public groups so that adopted levels of service can be maintained throughout the entire County. Policy 108.1.2.3 - Use the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council for informal mediation when conflicts with other local governments do not appear as if they would be otherwise resolved. Policy 8.1.2.4 - Coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce, the City of Port St. Lucie, the Florida Department of Transportation, St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization, and Martin County and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to implement and revised the 2030 Long Range Regional Transportation Plan and the development of the 2035 Long Range Regional Transportation Plan. Policy 8.1.2.5 - Coordinate with City of Fort Pierce, the City of Port St. Lucie, the Florida Department of Transportation, St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization, Martin County and the Martin Metropolitan Planning Organization on the Regional Transit Development Plan for the Port St. Lucie Urbanized Area. Policy 8.1.2.6 - The County shall coordinate with pertinent State and regional agencies to identify natural area greenways and wildlife corridors to link existing public parks, preserve areas and similar public areas for conservation and habitat preservation purposes. Policy 8.1.2.7 - The County shall coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to connect small package plants to central water and sewer services. Policy 8.1.2.8 - Continue to coordinate with the South Florida Water Management District on implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration (CERP)/IRL_South Plan and Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement Program (IRL SWIM) Plan. Policy 8.1.2.9 - The County shall monitor and review campus master plans, particularly with regard to their probable effects on public facilities. Policy 8.1.2.10- The County shall coordinate with the St. Lucie County Fire District on development of level of service standards for construction of fire facilities to accommodate existing and future development. Objective 108.1.3: The Planning and Development Services Director of Community Development shall continue to be responsible for coordination of County activities with the comprehensive plans of adjacent municipalities, St. Lucie County, the adjacent counties, and other units of local government such as the School Board providing services but not having regulatory authority over the use of land. Policy 108.1.3.1 - Continue to receive and review copies of all proposed plan or rezoning amendments for areas adjacent to St. Lucie County boundaries. Policy 108.1.3.2 - Continue to request liaisons regarding proposed plan or rezoning amendments with the St. Lucie County School Board, St. Lucie County Fire District, South Florida Water Management District, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Florida Power and Light, and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-14 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 adjacent local governments. Policy 108.1.3.3 - In conjunction with other affected parties, including interested public groups, continue to evaluate existing interlocal agreements when the Capital Improvements Element is undergoing annual review to determine if current funding is proportional to services rendered. Policy 108.1.3.4 - Continue to coordinate closely with the School Board on the location of future school locations in relation to the projected population and land use. Policy 108.1.3.5 - Continue to support joint use agreements between the County and the School District. Policy 8.1.3.6 – St. Lucie County in conjunction with the St. Lucie County School District shall implement the Public School Facilities Element and interlocal agreement for public schools facility planning. The Public School Facilities Element and the interlocal agreement state principles and guidelines to ensure coordination of the County’s Comprehensive Plan with the plans of the School Board and describe the joint processes for collaborative planning and decision making and population projections, school siting, and the local and extension of public facilities subject to concurrency. Objective 108.1.4: By August, 1990, the TheCounty, through the County Administrator, shall establish continueanintergovernmental coordination process procedures to ensure full consideration is given to the impacts of developments proposed in the County Comprehensive Plan on other governmental entities and vice versa. Policy 108.1.4.1 -– support the development andadoption of interlocal agreements with the affected municipalities to Continue to coordinate the impacts of development and management of the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon (including the Intracoastal Waterway), and Savannas, and other natural resources with the South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and other relevant agencies. Policy 108.1.4.2 - Continue to work with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to identify regional issues and to assist in the periodic updating of the Comprehensive StrategicRegional Policy Plan. Policy 108.1.4.3 - Agree to abide by regulations of the municipalities when developing within their corporate limits. Objective 108.1.5: Review port activities in coordination with the Comprehensive Plan of Fort Pierce. Policy 108.1.5.1 - The Board of County Commissioners shall continue to coordinate with the City of Fort Pierce, other governmental entities, and interested public groups to resolve problems related, but not limited to, transportation, development and land use, natural and man-made hazards and disasters, and protection of natural resources at the port. Objective 8.1.6: Ensure coordination in the designation of new dredge spoil sites located within the County’s jurisdiction. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-15 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 8.1.6.1 – Coordinate with the Florida Inland Navigational District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Fort Pierce and other relevant agencies to identify and regulate all existing and future spoil dredge sites within the County. Policy 8.1.6.2 – Resolve conflicts related to dredge spoil sites through a dispute resolution process. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 8-16 Intergovernmental Coordination Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Purpose The purpose of the capital improvements element is to evaluate the need for public facilities as identified in the other comprehensive plan elements and as defined in the applicable definitions for each type of public facility, to estimate the cost of improvements for which the local government has fiscal responsibility, to analyze the fiscal capability of the local government to finance and construct improvements, to adopt financial policies to guide the funding of improvements and to schedule the funding and construction of improvements in a manner necessary to ensure that capital improvements are provided when required based on needs identified in the other comprehensive plan elements. The element shall also include the requirements to ensure that an adequate concurrency management system will be implemented by local governments pursuant to Rule 9J-5.0055, F.A.C., of this chapter. Relationship to the other Elements of the Comprehensive Plan The Capital Improvements Element summarizes the needed capital facilities as identified in the other elements of the County's Comprehensive Plan. These needs include those necessary to correct existing deficiencies in meeting Level of Service Standards while providing for future needs. Deficiencies were determined by comparing the current facilities to the currently adopted/proposed Level of Service Standard. Public Facility Needs The determination of facility needs within each Element considers the level of service, required repairs or renovations that reflect new system capacity, and new growth demands for projects. A relative priority of need among facility types has been indicated through the extent of improvements scheduled within this CIE update. The projects summarized in the Schedule of Capital Improvements have been previously identified in the following Elements within the adopted St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan: drainage, potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, parks & recreation, transportation and schools. Each project has been prioritized in consideration of available 5 year funding. The analysis of needs for each public facility is analyzed here. The County classified public facilities according to their relationship with the Concurrency Management System. Used in conjunction with the adopted Level of Service Standards for the various parts of the Comprehensive Plan, these classifications are to be a guide in determining the need for, and then the development of, any capital improvement projects that to meet the growth demands of the community. The classification of facilities is as follows: A. Category A Public Facilities are transportation, mass transit, stormwater management, potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, parks and schools used for concurrency all of which are addressed in other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-1Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 B. Category B Public Facilities are libraries, corrections, courthouse, administration, mosquito control, and St. Lucie County International Airport as owned, operated or developed by St. Lucie County. Category B Public Facilities are not used for concurrency purposes as provided for in the Concurrency Management System. Category A Public Facilities Transportation: The maintenance or achievement for traffic on county roadways in consideration of growth demand is based upon a peak hour/direction level of service “E” for County roadways and “D” for State roadways. Due to recent reductions in local ad-valorem tax revenues based upon the passage of the voter approved State Amendment #1 in January 2008 together with reductions in sales tax, it will be more difficult to fund capital projects using local resources. Sufficient funding needed to implement transportation improvements to sustain level of service on the roadway network during the FY 2009/10 – 2013/14 timeframe will be compromised. Reductions in motor fuel tax receipts will also affect the programming of transportation projects. As such, roadway projects have been prioritized in consideration of available funding. The St. Lucie County Transportation Element provides additional details on roadway level of service. The Schedule of Capital Improvements indicates if a project scheduled will affect level of service standards. The capital improvements programmed by the FDOT for implementation by Community Transit Inc. of the Treasure Coast will assist in maintaining or achieving the < 30 minute headway level of service standard for bus operations. Drainage:Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District and North St. Lucie Water Control Districts provide stormwater services for a portion of unincorporated St. Lucie County. The drainage improvement needs as identified and prioritized within the CIE schedule are determined through an analysis of the required storm-water management resources necessary to maintain a 10 year/24 hour storm event within adjacent primary basin and outfall areas. This analysis is consistent with the County’s involvement in maintaining National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) standards administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Department of Natural Resources and directly linked to the impacts of land development activity upon the adjacent surface water system. Drainage improvements that are identified and prioritized within the CIE schedule have been determined through an analysis of required storm-water management resources necessary to maintain a 10 year/24 hour storm event. This effort is consistent with the County’s involvement in maintaining National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) standards. The capital projects reflected within the schedule will allow the 10 year/24 hour storm event level of service to be maintained in areas where current surface water management practices are in place and achieved in areas where storm water/drainage projects are programmed over the next 5 years. Potable Water: Unincorporated areas of the County are served by St. Lucie County Utilities or the Fort Pierce Utility Authority. The improvement needs for potable water is consistent with the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan for St. Lucie County in concurrence with the South Florida Water Management District. The analysis for St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-2Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 potable water demand is based upon the need to provide 110 gallons per capita/per day of capacity in consideration of population growth. As shown on the project schedule for potable water, the County is emphasizing project funding for capacity improvements related to the North County service area. Currently, the County is maintaining Level of Service (LOS) for Potable Water facilities. See the St. Lucie Comprehensive Plan, Infrastructure Element. As described further in the Infrastructure Element, St. Lucie County presently provides limited water and wastewater services to three areas of the County. The City of Port St. Lucie and the City of Fort Pierce provide some limited utility services outside of their municipal limits, but for the most part these utilities limit their service areas to properties within their corporate boundaries. Because the County Commission does not provide any direct or indirect funding support to these municipal utility providers, the cost to provide their services to the unincorporated parts of the County are not included in this Capital Improvement Element. Funding for any such expansion is to be borne by the particular utility or individuals seeking to obtain those services. Sanitary Sewer: Unincorporated areas of the County are served by St. Lucie County Utilities or the Fort Pierce Utility Authority. The improvement needs for sanitary sewer considers the 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan for St. Lucie County. The demand for each project directly correlates to the need to provide 100 gallons per capital/per day of capacity for each Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC). As shown on the project schedule for sanitary sewer, the County is emphasizing project funding for capacity improvements related to the North Hutchinson Island waste water treatment plant. Currently, the County is maintaining Level of Service (LOS) for Sanitary Sewer facilities. See the St. Lucie Comprehensive Plan, Infrastructure Element. The County currently provides sewage collection, treatment and disposal, and potable water services to three limited areas of the County. The City of Port St. Lucie and the City of Fort Pierce provide some limited services outside of their municipal limits, but for the most part these utilities limit their service areas to properties within their corporate boundaries. Should unincorporated areas seek to obtain services from Fort Pierce, they are required to annex into the municipality once their property is contiguous. If unincorporated areas seek service from Port St. Lucie they may pay a surcharge. Those areas served by the County with water and sewer services have been so serviced through the establishment of local special taxing districts for that purpose. No general tax funds have been used to develop, operate or maintain these systems. Future expansion of these systems will be done in a similar manner. Solid Waste: Solid waste collection is provided by private contract haulers and disposal facilities are provided by the County and funded through user feesThe existing solid waste facility has sufficient capacity to meet the 5.10 pounds per capita/per day demand over the next five years. The County does not have any capital improvements programmed at the facility during the CIE Update for FY 09/10 – 13/14. The existing solid waste facility has sufficient capacity to meet the demand based upon 5 year growth projections. The 5.10 pounds per capita/per day capacity level of service standard at the landfill will be maintained during the 5 year window such that no capital improvements need to be programmed as part of this CIE Update. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-3Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Currently, the County is maintaining Level of Service (LOS) for Solid Waste facilities. See the St. Lucie Comprehensive Plan, Infrastructure Element. No projects affecting level of service have been scheduled. Parks and Recreation: The County is required to provide a minimum level of service of 5 acres of Community Parks for the unincorporated population, 2.5 acres of Regional Park land area for every 1,000 residents countywide, and 21.2 acres of Resource-based Parks per 1,000 residents countywide. Currently, the County has a deficit of Community Parks and Regional Parks. Many of the projects within the County’s capital improvements program include the expansion of recreation opportunities at existing parks and recreational facilities. No projects affecting level of service have been scheduled. Schools. The St. Lucie School District provides for public school facilities in the County. School facility needs–as reflected within the schedule for the 5 year time frame–are consistent with the requirement to provide sufficient classroom and school site facility to maintain and achieve the 100% capacity level of service standard required for all schools, as determined by the Florida Department of Education. The capital projects shown in the schedule will provide the school facility capacity to meet current student enrollment projections for the 5 year window and is consistent with the St. Lucie County School District’s 5-Year Work Program. The analysis of needs for school facilities were determined using a 100% capacity for all schools level of service standard required by the Florida Department of Education. This includes an analysis of current student enrollments at each school and a review of total facility classroom space district-wide divided by the number of students that attend schools within the district. The projects identified within the schedule were taken directly from the St. Lucie County School District’s 5-Year Work Program. The County will adopt by reference the St. Lucie School District Five Year District Facilities Work Program (2010-2011 Work Program) adopted on September 28, 2010. Health Care Facilities The St. Lucie County Health Department provides individualized health care services to St. Lucie County residents at affordable rates. These services are provided by highly qualified and experienced family practice doctors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, and case managers. They offer a wide range of health care services to the community including clinical services, health issue monitoring, and environmental health issues. The County has no financial oversight of the St. Lucie County Health Department. Category B Facilities Category B Public Facilities are libraries, corrections, courthouse, administration, mosquito control, and St. Lucie County International Airport as owned, operated or developed by St. Lucie County. Category B Public Facilities are not used for concurrency purposes as provided for in the Concurrency Management System. County Library: Two level of service standards area applied to evaluate the Level of Service provided by the library system. The first method is measuring the amount of library space at a Level of Service of 0.525 square feet per capita. The second method is measuring the book volume at a Level of Service of 1.45 books per capita. St. Lucie County’s standards are therefore comparable, to other Treasure Coast communities. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-4Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 9-1 Library Level of Service Comparison Library Space Volumes County (sq. ft./1.000 residents) (Number of books/1,000 residents) Indian River 0.58 3.2 Martin 0.6 2 St. Lucie 0.525 1.45 Source: Indian River County Comprehensive Plan, 2009; Martin County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, 2009 The County operates five libraries. Additionally St. Lucie County, in conjunction with Florida Atlantic University and Indian River State College, financially supports a joint-use facility, St. Lucie West Library. All St Lucie County residents have full access to this facility. The joint-use facility currently constitutes 58% (78,348 square feet) of the overall library space available to county residents. The following table shows that the County will be deficient in the Level of Service for the five year and ten year planning periods. In light of this analysis, the County should explore the financial feasibility of completing a library master plan to determine the County’s future library needs and to identify appropriate funding sources. Table 9-2: Level of Service Analysis – County Library Space Fiscal County Required LOS Actual LOS Space needed for Surplus or Deficit YearPopulation(Space per Capita)(Space per Capita) Existing SpaceRequired LOSSpace 2011283,980133,256ft²0.525149,089.50ft²0.4692-15,833.50ft² 2015313,100153,256ft²0.525164,377.50ft²0.4895-11,121.50ft² 2020354,300153,256ft²0.525186,007.50ft²0.4326-32,751.50ft² 2025395,200153,256ft²0.525207,480.00ft²0.3878-54,224.00ft² 2030434,100135,000ft²0.525227,902.50ft²0.3110-92,902.50ft² Source; St. Lucie County, Calvin Giordano & Associates, 2009 Table 9-3: Level of Service Analysis – County Library Volume Fiscal County Required LOS Actual LOS Books needed for Surplus or Deficit YearPopulation(Books per Capita)(Books per Capita) Existing BooksRequired LOSNumber of Books 283,980 2011352,708books1.45411,771books1.24-59,063books 313,100 2015367,628books1.45453,995books1.17-86,367books 354,300 2020383,294books1.45513,735books1.08-130,441books 395,200 2025383,294books1.45573,040books0.97-189,746books 434,100 2030383,294books1.45629,445books0.88-246,151books Source; St. Lucie County, Calvin Giordano & Associates 2009 Corrections:Corrections facilities are not pertinent to concurrency management, but they have been incorporated into this Capital Improvements Element for local information and to demonstrate the County's commitment to providing the necessary facilities to meet the needs of an increasing population. The St. Lucie County Criminal Justice Coordinator’s office forecasted the following jail population: St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-5Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 9-4 Jail Population Forecast YearRateRatioAverage 2008 1520 1432 1476 2009 1622 1446 1534 2010 1724 1460 1592 2011 1826 1489 1658 2012 1928 1504 1716 2013 2030 1519 1774 2014 2132 1534 1833 2015 2234 1549 1891 2016 2336 1565 1950 2017 2438 1580 2009 Source: St. Lucie County Criminal Justice Coordinator, 2009 [To be updated in Spring 2010 to include forecast to 2020.] The forecasted jail population for the next 10 years is computed utilizing dual techniques of rate and ratio methods. The rate method involves the review of the average daily population of the jail for the period 2005 through 2007, determining the average rate of increase and applying that rate to future years. The ratio method examines the relationship between monthly jail bookings and releases for the period 2005 through 2007 and applies that ratio to compute future population growth. The ratio for the SLC jail based on the time frame in question is 1.01. This ratio means that for every 100 inmates who were released, 101 inmates were added. Source: Broward County Jail Population – An Analysis of Past Trends and Forecasted Growth, St. Lucie County Criminal Justice Coordinator, 2009 County Judicial/Courthouse Space:The spaces provided for the function of Judicial and Courthouse services are varied and include the Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of the Court building, Courthouse Annex and State Attorney Offices. The 2004 Comprehensive Plan stated a need for 0.839 square feet per person. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-6Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 FACILITY Square Feet Sheriff's Office - Jail 260,860 Sheriff's Office Admin. Total 53,324 Emergency Operations / 911 7,568 Clerk of Court - Juvenile Court 2,695 Clerk of Court - All Courts 60,130 Public Defender18,000 State Attorney34,634 Guardian Ad Litem3,300 Court Support7,500 Court Support - Juvenile Holding Cells240 Courts - all other82,804 TOTAL 531,055 Source: St. Lucie County Space Needs Study, 2006 As indicated in the following table, the County is currently providing and will continue to provide throughout 2030 sufficient space for judicial and courthouse purposes. Table 9-5 LOS Analysis – County Judicial / Courthouse Spaces Source: St. Lucie County Space Needs Study, 2006, Calvin Giordano & Associates, 2008 Table 9-6 County Administrative and Maintenance Space The County has the following inventory of administrative and maintenance space (576,509 square feet) Emergency Operations Center Havert L. Fenn Center (offices only) SLC Administration Annex Hayslip Data Complex Board of County Commissioners Leased Spaces SLC Central Services Complex SLC Logistics Center SLC Public Works Complex The County does not have a numerical level of service standard for County Administrative and Maintenance Space; however, County intends to maintain the provision of Administrative and Maintenance space as the county grows. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-7Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Mosquito Control: The St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District is a dependent taxing district, overseen by its own board and by the Mosquito Control Section of the Florida Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control (Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services). District services also include: reduction of mosquito breeding habitat, control of mosquito larvae where possible, monitoring of mosquitoes and viruses they sometimes carry, measurement and analysis of environmental information, environmental education, and public use of impounded wetland parks. State regulations require the confirmed presence of 25 or more adult mosquitoes in a trap overnight as a justification of adulticide chemical spraying. The Level of Service for Mosquito Control is maintaining state standards for controlling adult mosquitoes when they exceed 25 per night. Airport:The St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR) is located north of Fort Pierce. It is a general aviation airport that serves several flight schools, an airplane manufacturer, and several businesses ancillary to airport and flight operations. It serves charter flights to and from the Bahamas, as well as, flights throughout the continental United States. Federal Express and United Parcel Services have flight operations from here. The Airport Industrial Park, just to the east of the airport, also benefits from the proximity to the airport and its services. The vast 3,660 acre airport property is owned by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and is managed by the County’s Airport Department Because of the availability of developable airport property, a strong potential for both aviation and non-aviation related growth exists at the airport. According to the County’s draft master plan, the annual service volume (capacity) of the three runway system is 369,192 operations. In 2008, the Airport had 160,277 operations and the forecasted growth in operations by 2028 is 243,599. The Airport will have sufficient capacity for the short and long term planning timeframes. Local Policies and Practices Timing and Location of Capital Improvements. Timing and location of public facilities is determined by needs projected by the various departments of the County, and in the case of multi-jurisdictional facilities such as State roads or potable water, by coordination with the affected agencies. Capital facilities will be planned and constructed in accordance with the established Schedule of Capital Improvements. This program is a five year schedule of improvements which is supported by a projection of revenues to ensure its feasibility. Improvements included in the 5-year program include those items called for by the various departments of the County. The following criteria are applied for determining the need for capital improvements: Regard for the Urban Service Area and provision facilities in the most efficient and compact manner so as to discourage the proliferation of urban sprawl. Anticipated demand through growth Coordination of County plans with those of State agencies and water management districts, school district, and other outside agencies Demand for improvements created by facility breakdown or by life expectancy of the facility. Maintenance of level of service standards St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-8Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 REVENUE AND EXPENSE PROJECTIONS Florida law states that a county must have a balanced budget. Therefore, the budgeted expenditures and reserves of each fund (including reserves for contingencies, cash flow and all other purposes) will equal the sum of projected fund balance at the beginning of the fiscal year and all revenues and receipts which reasonably can be expected to be received during the fiscal year. Table 9-7 Revenue Projections Source: CIE Update 09/10-13/14, St. Lucie County Planning and Development Services, 2009/ [To be updated with FY11 Update.] St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-9Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 A summary of the total project expenditures for all of the capital projects indentified within this CIE update is represented below. The expenditures are funded through various local, state and federal revenue sources. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-10Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 9-8 Expenditure Projections Source: CIE Update 09/10-13/14, St. Lucie County Planning and Development Services, 2009. [To be updated with FY 11 CIE Update. Revenue Sources St. Lucie County shall use the following revenue sources in order to meet the demands for projects identified within each facility Element: ad valorem taxes impact fees utility connection fees and user rates state revenue sharing one-half cent sales tax franchise fees gas taxes (constitutional gas tax, local option gas tax, county gas tax, motor fuel rebate) state and federal revenues bond proceeds MSBU and MSTU State and federal revenue sources for transportation improvements and mass transit include the state transportation trust fund, state TRIP funds, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highway trust fund, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) trust funds. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-11Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Debt Capacity and Obligations One of the ways in which capital needs are provided is through debt. The primary rationale for becoming obligated for such facilities through indebtedness is that it spreads the cost of the facility over its useful life and thus is indeed paid for by those who are there to use it. St. Lucie County has historically used debt for providing capital facilities and it is quite likely to do so in the future. A key factor in determining how debt can be factored into the provision of necessary infrastructure is to examine the County's capacity to handle debt. The County strives to maintain a minimum underlying bond rating equivalent to ‘Upper Medium Grade’ (Moody Rating Service A or Standard & Poor’s A). Moody’s and S&P evaluated St. Lucie County’s underlying credit worthiness in June of 2005. Moody’s rated the County at A2. S&P gave the county a rating of A. Both ratings indicate the County is in the ‘Upper Medium Grade’ of investment quality. On March 29, 2007, Standard and Poor’s assigned a rating of A+ for the $30,000,000 SLC, FL, Transportation Revenue Bonds, Series 2007. Moody assigned an A2 underlying rating to SLC $30 million Transportation Revenue Bonds, Series 2007. Neither the Florida Constitution, Florida Statues, nor the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners place limit on the amount of debt the voters may approve by referendum. As of September 30, 2009 the County anticipates $112,738,908 million of general obligation and voted debt outstanding. Based on the assessed valuation of $17 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, the County’s general obligation and voted debt ratio currently equals 0.66 percent (0.66%). St. Lucie County has established a fund balance policy at 5 percent of operating expenses as recommended by Bond rating agencies. The County Debt Policy also outlines several key indicators designed to keep direct debt at the lowest possible level: Outstanding Indebtedness The County’s total outstanding debt as of September 30, 2009 is estimated to be $194.808 million. Approximately 2.44 percent of the total County debt is repaid with property tax revenues ($1.89 million General Obligation ad valorem, and $2.86 million limited ad valorem bonds). The remainder is repaid with pledged revenues, including sales tax, tourist tax and special taxing units. Debt Service The following table provides debt service projections. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-12Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 9-9 Debt Service Projections Source: St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget [Office of Management and Budget to update projection in December 2009.] Schedule of Capital Improvements Capital Improvement projects that increase or maintain Category A level of service standards shall be included in the regular Schedule of Capital Improvements contained in this Capital Improvements Element. Other projects related to Category B levels of service shall be included in Appendix 9A. Financial Feasibility St. Lucie County has prepared this CIE annual update as a demonstration of financial feasibility for its adopted five year capital improvements plan and to provide assurance of available revenue through committed and planned sources to implement the schedule of capital improvements. This update is being transmitted to State Department of Community Affairs in accordance with Section 163.3177 (3)(b), F.S., which states that “the expenditures for capital projects do not exceed the amount of revenue programmed or planned for during the 5 year period”. Sufficient revenue has been committed in the first three (3) years to provide for the expenditure of project funding during FY 10/11– 12/13. Funding for FY 12/13 – 14/15 includes both committed and planned revenues. Each capital project identified within this CIE shall have a minimum cost of $25,000 as referenced within the adopted and revised Capital Improvements Element (2002). However, most of the capital project costs that add system capacity from new development demand will exceed $50,000 based upon current day costs. A public facilities capital improvement may include design and land acquisition as part of the total project construction cost. For purposes of this CIE, a capital improvement cost shall include infrastructure, facilities and equipment “which are large scale and high in cost… generally nonrecurring and may require multi-year financing” in accordance with Rule 9J-5.003(12), Florida Administrative Code. The adopted County Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and State DOT Work Program representing FY 2010/11 – 2014/15 may contain non-capacity enhancing projects necessary for the continuation of St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-13Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 on-going infrastructure priorities. As such, there is not an equivalent total project cost comparison between the CIE, CIP and State DOT Work Program. - funding under the first three years of the CIE represents the Committed Years 1-3 funding that is committed and currently available from specific funding sources and is included as part of the first three years of the St. Lucie County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) or the State’s Five Year Work Program. Committed and/or Planned Years 4-5- funding during years four and five represents both committed (currently available and programmed) funding and/or planned funding (currently not available but will be committed once the specific revenue source has been secured during the 5 years of this CIE update). MONITORING AND EVALUATION The adoption of a Comprehensive Plan requires that procedures be established to evaluate and monitor the intended capital improvements addressed in the Plan. These procedures must be in place and clearly identified. In order to accomplish this, the County will annually review the Capital Improvement Element and other relevant portions of the Plan to assure that the capital needs are being met The review will also determine if adequate revenues are available to meet the needs. The data regarding the listed improvements will be updated and revised as needed in order to meet current and future capital improvement needs as they relate to the County’s adopted Levels of Service. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-14Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Capital Improvements Element Goals, Objectives and Policies Goal 119.1: To provide public facilities necessary to achieve and maintain adopted level of service standards concurrent with demand through fiscally sound capital improvement programming and budgeting. Objective 119.1.1 - Define types of public facilities, establish standards for Level of Service for each type of public facility, and determine what capital improvements are needed in order to achieve and maintain standards (as well as to repair or replace existing public facilities). Policy 119.1.1.1 - Public facilities means the capital improvements and systems of each of the following: arterial and collector roads,mass transit, stormwater management, potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, parks and recreation, libraries, jails, courthouse facilities, administrative facilities, mosquito control, Port of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County International Airport, public education and public health facilities and shall include land, structures, the initial furnishings and equipment, design, permitting, and construction costs. Other "capital" costs, such as motor vehicles and motorized equipment, computers and office equipment, office furnishings, and small tools are considered in the County's annual budget, but such items are not "public facilities" for the purposes of this Comprehensive Plan, or the issuance of development orders. Policy 119.1.1.2 - The County shall establish standards for Levels of Service for four categories of public facilities, as follows: a. Category A Public Facilities are arterial and collector roads, mass transit, stormwater management, potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, schools, andparks and recreation facilities used for concurrency andschools owned or operated by St. Lucie County, all of which are addressed in other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. b. Category B Public Facilities are libraries, corrections, courthouse, administration, mosquito control, Port of Fort Pierce, and St. Lucie County International Airport as owned, operated or developed by St. Lucie County. Category B Public Facilities are not used for concurrency purposes as provided for in the Concurrency Management System. c. Category C Public Facilities are arterial and collector roads, mass transit, stormwater management, potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, and parks and recreation facilities used for concurrency and owned or operated by Federal, State or municipal governments, independent districts, and private organizations, all of which are addressed in other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. d.Category D Public Facilities are public health and public education facilities owned or operated by Federal, State, or municipal governments, independent districts, and private organizations. Category D Public Facilities are not used for concurrency purposes as provided for in the Concurrency Management Syste St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-15Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 119.1.1.3 - The quantity of public facilities necessary to eliminate existing deficiencies and to meet the needs of future growth shall be determined for every type of public facility by the following calculation: Q = (S x D) - E. Where: Q is the quantity of public facility needed, S is the standard for Level of Service, D is the demand, such as the population, and E is the inventory of existing facilities. The calculation will be used for existing demand in order to determine existing deficiencies. The calculation will be used for projected demand in order to determine needs of future growth. The estimates of projected demand will account for demand that is likely to occur from previously issued development orders as well as future growth. Public facilities to serve demand from previously issued development orders shall be included in "D" (demand) in thye the preceding calculation. Policy 119.1.1.4 - The public facility formula will be used for current demand in order to determine existing deficiencies. The public facility formula will be used for projected demand in order to determine needs of future growth. The estimates of projected demand will account for demand that is likely to occur from previously issued development orders as well as future growth. Policy 119.1.1.5 - Demand that is likely to occur from previously issued development orders which require a Certificate of Capacity will be addressed by the County "reserving" capacity of public facilities for development orders that were issued by the County prior to the adoption of this Comprehensive Plan and that are determined to have vested rights for purposes of the concurrency management system. Policy 9.1.1.6 -The County requires persons with legitimate and substantial vested rights to continue development in good faith in order to reserve capacity of public facilities. The County will not reserve capacity of public facilities for previously issued development orders that do not have vested rights for purposes of concurrency management, and/or which do not continue development in good faith. Policy 119.1.1.67 - There are three circumstances in which the standards for Levels of Service are not the exclusive determinant of need for a public facility: a. Calculated needs for public facilities in coastal high hazard areas are subject to all limits and conditions in the Conservation and Coastal Management and Future Land Use Elements of this Plan (see Policy 119.1.5.1). b. Replacement of obsolete or worn out facilities, and repair, remodeling and renovation, will be determined by the Board of County Commissioners upon the recommendation of the County Administrator. c. Public facilities that provide Levels of Service in excess of the standards St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-16Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 adopted in this Plan may be constructed or acquired at any time as long as both conditions 1) and 2) and at least one of the conditions 3) through 5) are met: 1) The facility does not make financially infeasible any public facility of the same type that is needed to achieve or maintain the standards for Levels of Service adopted in this Plan, 2) The facility does not contradict, limit or alter the achievement of the overall goals, objectives and policies of this Plan, 3) The excess capacity is an integral part of a capital improvement that is needed to achieve or maintain standards for Levels of Service, 4) The excess capacity provides economies of scale making it less expensive than a comparable amount of capacity if acquired at a later date, 5) The asset acquired is land that is environmentally sensitive, or designated by the County as necessary for conservation, recreation or protection of high hazard coastal areas. Policy 119.1.1.78- Any public facility that is determined to be needed as a result of the factors listed in Policy 11.1.1.6Capital improvement projects that increase or maintain Category A level of service standards shall be included in the regular Schedule of Capital Improvements contained in this Capital Improvements Element. All capital improvements projects for such public facilities shall be approved in the same manner as the projects that are identified according to the public facility formula described in Policy 11.1.3. Policy 119.1.1.89- The determination of location of improvements to expand public facilities will take into consideration projected growth patterns. Where applicable, public facility improvements will be coordinated with the capital facility plans of any other governmental entity providing public facilities within St. Lucie County. Policy11.1.9-All public facility improvements that are based on achieving and maintaining a standard for Levels of Service adopted in this Comprehensive Plan are included in the financially feasible Schedule of Capital Improvements contained in this Capital Improvements Element. The relative priorities among types of public facilities (i.e., roads, drainage, aviation, etc.) are established by adjusting the standards for Levels of Service and the available revenues until the resulting public facilities needs became financially feasible. Legal restrictions on the use of many revenue sources limit the extentto which types of facilities may be prioritized because they do not compete for the same revenues. During each annual prioritization process, no further prioritization among types of public facilities in the Schedule of Capital Improvements are financially feasible, programmed for improvement, and will be completed according to the Schedule. Each year, however, prioritization among types of facilities is redetermined by reaffirming or revising standards for Level of Service within the constraints of available restricted revenues. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-17Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 119.1.1.10 - The following public facility improvements within a facility type are to be considered in the following order of priority, as determined by the Board of County Commissioners: a. Replacement of obsolete or worn-out facilities, including repair, remodeling and renovation of facilities that contribute to achieving and/or maintaining Levels of Service. b. New facilities that reduce or eliminate existing deficiencies in Levels of Service. c. New public facilities, and improvements to existing public facilities, that eliminate public hazards not otherwise eliminated by improvements prioritized according to Subsections A. or B., above. d. New or expanded facilities that provide the adopted Levels of Service for new development and redevelopment during the next five fiscal years, as updated by the annual review of this Capital Improvements Element. St. Lucie County may acquire land or right-of-way in advance of the need to develop a facility for new development. The location of facilities constructed pursuant to this Subsection shall conform to the Future Land Use Element, and specific project locations shall serve projected growth areas within the allowable land use categories. e. Improvements to existing facilities, and new facilities that significantly reduce the operating cost of achieving and/or maintaining Levels of Service. f. New facilities that exceed the adopted Levels of Service for new growth during the next five fiscal years by either: 1) Providing excess public facility capacity that may be needed by future growth beyond the next five fiscal years, or 2) Providing higher quality public facilities than are contemplated in the County's normal design criteria for such facilities. g. Facilities not described in Subsections A. through E., above, but which the County is obligated to complete, provided that such obligation is evidenced by a written agreement the County executed prior to July 31, 1990. h.Reserved. h. Project evaluation may also involve additional criteria that are unique to i each type of public facility, as described in other elements of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 119.1.11 -St. Lucie County adopts the following roadway Level of Service Standards for application within the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County, as set forth in Table 119-10 and Table 2-4: See attached. Policy 119.1.1.1211- When any County arterial or collector road or segment of such a road is determined to be operating one Level of Service below its adopted standard, the County shall exercise one of the following. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-18Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 a. Enter into a contract that will result in the addition of capacity to the facility within six months (or longer if under a Development Agreement) of the determination that the facility is operating below its Level of Service Standard, and delay issuance of development orders until the contract has been executed; b. Enter into an enforceable development agreement that specifies that new development will provide for the upgraded facility; c. Amend the Comprehensive Plan to lower the Level of Service at the next opportunity; or d. Not issue any development permits in the impacted area. The purpose of providing for the temporary operation below the adopted Level of Service is to provide a reasonable period of time to restore the Level of Service through appropriate improvements to roads that are forecast to operate at the adopted Level of Service, but which may unexpectedly operate at a lower Level of Service. All development orders issued pursuant to this Policy shall be conditioned on the attainment of the adopted Level of Service. However, this Policy shall not impair the County's right to refuse to issue a development order pursuant to this Policy if the Board of County Commissioners determines that the resultant lower Level of Service caused by the proposed development order would constitute a threat to public health or safety. Policy 119.1.1.1312- The standards for Levels of Service for Category A Public Facilities , Mass Transit, shall be as follows: Drainage Level of Service Standards Structure/Facility 10 yr., 24 hr. 10 yr., 72 hr. 100 yr., 72 hr. 1 Houses/Building <FFE <FFE <FFE 23 Evacuation Routes 1/2W <0.5 ft. <1.0 ft. 4 Arterial Roads 1/2W <0.5 ft. <1.0 ft. 5 Other Roads <0.5 ft. <0.75 ft. <1.5 ft. 1 Peak flood stages less than first (finished) floor elevation based on available data. 2 Evacuation routes as defined by the County and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. 3 Flooding limited to each side of the road such that one-half of the roadway width (W) or one travel lane is not flooded. 4 Roads with four or more travel lanes, or roads that are only access to a respective area/development (secondary evacuation routes). 5 Other roads which are not critical for evacuation, but which will be used to estimate encroachment on FFEs. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-19Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Non-SIS Facilities Facility Type Peak Hour/Peak Inside a Constrained Direction Transportation /Backlogged Concurrency Facility 1 Management Area 2 Non-State Roadway (Local) D D Maintain 3 Non-State Roadway (Major D E Maintain City/County Road) 33 Non-State Roadway E E Maintain (Arterial) Intrastate/FIHS (Rural) Limited Access/ Freeway B N/A 2 Maintain 2 Controlled Access BN/AMaintain Intrastate/FIHS (Urban) 32 Limited C (D) D (E)Maintain Access/Freeway 2 Controlled Access CEMaintain Other State Roads Multi-Lane (Rural/Urban) Rural BN/AN/A 2 Maintain Urban D Two-Lane (Rural/Urban) Rural C N/A N/A 2 Urban D N/A Maintain (Notes) Level of Service Standards inside of parentheses apply to general use lanes only when exclusive through lanes exist. 1. Transportation Concurrency Management Areas are geographically compact areas designated in local government comprehensive plans where intensive development exists or is planned in a manner that will ensure an adequate level of mobility and further the achievement of identified important state planning goals and policies, including discouraging the proliferation of urban sprawl, encouraging the revitalization of existing downtowns and designated redevelopment areas protecting natural resources, protecting historic resources, maximizing the efficient use of existing public facilities, and promoting public transit, bicycling, walking and other alternatives to the single occupant automobile. Transportation concurrency management areas may be established in a comprehensive plan in accordance with Rule 9J-5, Florida Administrative Code. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-20Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Facility Type Peak Hour/Peak Inside a Constrained Direction Transportation /Backlogged Concurrency Facility 1 Management Area 2. Maintain means continuing operating conditions at a level such that significant degradation does not occur based on conditions existing at the time of local government comprehensive plan adoption. For roadways in rural areas, transitioning urbanized areas, urban areas or communities, significant degradation means (1) an increase in average annual daily traffic volume of 5 percent below the speed, of the adopted LOS standard. For roadways in urbanized areas, for 100th highest hour of 5 percent below the speed, of the adopted LOS standard. For roadways in urbanized areas, for roadways parallel to exclusive transit facilities, or for intrastate roadways in transportation concurrency management areas, significant degradation means (1) an increase in average annual daily traffic volume of 10 percent above the maximum service volume, or (2) a reduction in operating speed for the peak directions in the 100th highest hour of 10 percent below the speed, of the adopted LOS standard. For other state roads in transportation concurrency management areas, significant degradation means that amount defined in the transportation mobility element. For constrained roadways meeting or exceeding the level of service standards, (maintain) does not apply until the roadway is operating below the applicable minimum level of service standard. 3.The County wishes to maintain a LOS D or better for all roadways but recognizes that allowing a LOS E allows development to proceed while a minimum of LOS D might cause severe constraints on private development. However, a LOS D will be utilized for these roadways when establishing transportation impact fees. SIS Facilities SIS Roadway CorridorsRoadway SegmentLOS Standard C I-95Martin County Line to Gatlin Boulevard I-95Gatlin Boulevard to St. Lucie BoulevardC I-95St. Lucie Boulevard to Midway RoadC I-95Midway Road to SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadC I-95SR 70/ Okeechobee Road to SR 68/ Orange AvenueD I-95SR 68/ Orange Avenue to SR 614/ Indrio RoadD I-95SR 614/ Indrio Road to Indian River County LineC Florida’s TurnpikeMartin County Line to Becker RoadC Florida’s TurnpikeBecker Road to Port St. Lucie BoulevardC Florida’s TurnpikePort St. Lucie Boulevard to SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadC Florida’s TurnpikeSR 70/ Okeechobee Road to Indian River CountyB SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadB Okeechobee County Line to Carlton Road B SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadCarlton Rod to McCarthy Road B SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadMcCarthy Road to Florida’s Turnpike C SR 70/ Okeechobee RoadFlorida’s Turnpike to I-95 St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-21Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Level of Service Service Area Public Facility 100 gallons per capita per day 117 gallons per capita per day Potable Water(FPUA) Unincorporated areas 100 gallons per capita per day 110 gallons per capital per day Sanitary Sewer(FPUA) Unincorporated areas 5.10 pounds of Class I solid waste per capita per day at landfill County- wide 2.80 pounds of construction and Solid Wastedebris per capita County-wide Countywide Parks & 5 acres of community parks/1,000 Recreationpopulation Unincorporated areas 2.5 acres of regional parks/1,000 population Countywide 21.2 acres of Resource-based parks/1,000 population Countywide 100% of program capacity for all Schoolsschools Countywide Policy 9.1.1.13- The County shall consider the financial feasibility of setting a mass transit level of service by December 2014. Policy 9.1.1.14 – The County shall amend the Adequate Facilities Ordinance to include school concurrency requirements within one year of adoption of this element. Policy: 9.1.1.15 - The standards for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities shall be as follows: Level of Service Service Area 0.525 square feet of library space per Librarycapita Countywide 1.45 books per capita Countywide A ratio of 1.01 inmates for every 1 Correctionsinmate released. Countywide 0.839 square feet of Courthouselibrarycourthouse space per capitaCountywide Maintain state standards for controlling adult mosquitoes when Mosquito Controlthey exceed 25 per night. Countywide Provide for up to 369,192 operations Airportper year. NA Policy 9.1.1.16 - Capital Improvements for Category B Public Facilities shall be included in this element and updated annually in order to monitor maintenance of Category B level of service standards. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-22Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 9.1.1.17 - The County shall explore the financial feasibility of preparing a Library Master Plan by December 2014 to determine County library needs and funding sources. Policy 9.1.1.18- The County shall maintain the provision of Administrative and Maintenance space as the County grows. No mass transit Level of Service has been established although the need has been recognized for various areas of the county. When mass transit service becomes feasible and prior to its becoming available in the County, the Level of Service will be set by plan amendment. Policy 11.1.1.14-The standards for Levels of Service for Category A Public Facilities, County Stormwater Management Systems and other major stormwater conveyance systems, shall be the ten-year/one-day storm event. Policy 11.1.1.15 -The standard for level of service for Category A Public Facilities, County Potable Water Systems, shall be 88 gallons per capita per day. (Ord. No. 07-37, 4-6-07) Policy11.1.1.16-The Standard for Level of Service for those areas of the unincorporated County served by sanitary sewer systems owned by Fort Pierce Utilities Authority shall be 130 gallons per capita per day. (Ord. No. 07-37, 4-6-07) Policy 11.1.1.17 -TheStandards for Level of Service for Category A Public Facilities, County Solid Waste, shall be as follows: A.9.31 pounds of solid waste per capita County-wide per day at the landfill. B.Seven years of permitted landfill disposal capacity at current fill rates. C.Thirty years of landfill raw land capacity at current fill rates. (Ord. No. 07-37, 4-6-07) Policy 11.1.1.18 -The Standards for Level of Service for Category A Public Facilities, County Parks and Recreation, shall be as following. Recreation facilities (i.e., buildings and improvements) are included in the cost of park land. A.Regional/metropolitan = 5 acres per 1,000 population County-wide. B.Community park land = 5 acres per 1,000 population in the unincorporated area. (Ord. No. 07-37,4-6-07) Policy 11.1.1.19 -The Standard for Level of Service for community parks will be applied in increments of 10 acre parks. (Ord. No. 07-37, 4-6-07) Policy 11.1.1.20 -The standards for Level of Service for Category B Public St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-23Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Facilities, Libraries, shall be as follows: .525 square feet of library per capita; and, 1.45 books per capita. Policy 11.1.1.21 -The standard for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities, Corrections, shall be as follows: 0.004 beds per capita. Policy 11.1.1.22 -The standard for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities, Courthouse, shall be as follows: .839 square feet per capita Policy 11.1.1.23 -The standard for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities, Administrative and Maintenance, shall be as follows: 1.253 square feet per capita Policy 11.1.1.24 -A specific standard for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities, Mosquito Control, has not been determined, but specific capital improvements have been included within the capital needs listing in order that the listing be comprehensive. Policy 11.1.1.25-A specific standard for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities, Airport, has not been determined. The capital improvement projects included within the capital facilities needs listing are shown in order that the listing be comprehensive. Future Airport Capital Projects will be identified as part of the updated Airport Master Plan to be completed in accord with Objective 2.2.1 of the Transportation Element. Policy 11.1.1.26-A specific standard for Level of Service for Category B Public Facilities, Port of Fort Pierce, has not been determined. The capital improvement projects included within the capital facilities needs listing relate to channel maintenance and are shown in order that the listing be comprehensive. Future Airport Capital Projects will be identified as part of the updated Airport Master Plan to be completed in accord with Objective 2.2.1 of the Transportation Element. Policy 119.1.1.1927- The County shall continue to require new development to meet Level of Service Standards for both on- and off-site improvements, including local streets, water and sewer connection lines, stormwater management facilities, and open space. Policy 119.1.28-The standards for, peak direction, peak hour Level of Service for Category C Public Facilities, Federal and State Roads, shall be as follows: a.In coordination with FDOT, the following facilities shall be classified as backlogged/constrained facilities and shall increase no more than five percent in peak hour, peak direction traffic volume through the end of the fiscal year (FY) indicated for improvement, and then be maintained at St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-24Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Level of Service "D" peak season, peak hour or better thereafter: ROADWAY SEGMENT F/Y IMPROVEMENT PLANNED No. US #1 Orange Ave.--North A-1-A None So. US #1 Orange Ave.--Edwards Rd. None So. US #1 Edwards Rd.--Midway Rd. None So. US #1 Midway Rd.--Prima Vista 05/06 Blvd. Kings Hwy. Okeechobee Rd.--No. US #1 None Policy 119.1.1.29 120- A Capital Improvement is defined as follows: a major nonrecurring expenditure that includes one or more of the following: 1. Any acquisition of land for a public purpose; or 2. Any construction of a new facility (a public building, or water lines, playfield or the like) or an addition to, or extension of such a facility; or 3. A nonrecurring rehabilitation (something which is infrequent and would not be considered annual or other recurring maintenance) or major repair of all or a part of a building, its grounds, or a facility, or equipment, 50,000 or more and the provided that the cost is $100,000.00 improvement will have a useful life of ten years or more; 4. Purchase of major equipment items with a cost, individually or in total, of $100,000.00 or more, which have a useful life of ten years or more; 5. Any planning, feasibility, engineering or design study related to an individual capital project or to a program that is implemented through individual capital improvement projects; or 6. Any expenditure that pertains to a physical asset which has been identified as an existing or projected need in one or more individual Comprehensive Plan amendments. (Reference: Rule 9J-5.003(12), F.A.C.) (Ord. No. 07-018, § 4, 12-18-07) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-25Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 9.1.1.21 Policy 11.1.1.30 North St. Lucie County Special Area Plan Long-Term Transportation Capital Improvements Program* RoadwayFromToImprovementYearPhaseFunding Source Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / Koblegard Rd.County LineTaylor Dairy Rd.Construct 2-lane road2015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / King's HighwayIndrio Rd.US-12 to 42015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / King's HighwayAngle Rd.Indrio Rd.2 to 42015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / I-95 North Flyover Koblegard Rd.New "C" Rd.Construct 2-lane flyover2015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W Russo RoadKoblegard Rd.Seminole Rd.Construct 2-lane road2015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W Sebastian Rd.Johnston Rd.Emerson Ave.Construct 2-lane road2015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W Tobias Rd. Johnston Rd.Seminole Rd.Construct 2-lane road2015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / Johnston Rd./ Immokolee Rd.County LineKings Highway2 to 42015Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New Russakis Rd.Indrio Rd.Johnston Rd.Construct 2-lane road2015Construction Special District(s) New Sebastian Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New Seminole Rd.Indrio Rd.Construct 2-lane road2015Construction Rd.Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / SR 614 Indrio Rd.I-95Citrus HighwayConstruct 4-lane road2015Construction Special District(s) Fully Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New Transit Line (Indrio Rd.)Emerson Ave.I-95Extend TCC Bus Service2015 Operational Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / 25th St. SWJohnston Rd.Kobelgard Ave.Construct 4-land road2020Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W Road (Immokolee Rd.)Johnston Rd.Emerson Ave.Construct 2-lane road2020Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / Emerson Ave.Indrio Rd.Angle Rd.Construct 2-lane road2020Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W "A" RoadKoblegard Rd.Taylor Dairy Rd.Construct 2-lane road2020Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New N-S "C" RoadIndrio Rd.County LineConstruct 2-lane road2020Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New N-S "C" RoadAngle Rd.IndrioConstruct 2-lane road2030Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New Citrus HighwayIndrio Rd.County LineConstruct 4-lane road 2030Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New Citrus HighwayIndrio Rd.Godwin Rd.Construct 4-lane road 2030Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W "E" RoadNew "C" Rd.Citrus HighwayConstruct 2-lane flyover2030Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / New E-W "D" RoadNew "C" Rd.Citrus HighwayConstruct 2-lane flyover2030Construction Special District(s) Impact Fees / Dev. Agreements / I-95 South FlyoverKoblegard Rd.New "C" Rd.Construct 2-lane flyover2030Construction Special District(s) 9.1.1.22 - Availability of Water Supply. The availability of water supply Policy 11.1.1.31: for the TVC has been demonstrated through the Ft. Pierce Utility Authority Water and Wastewater Master Plan and the St. Lucie County Water and Wastewater Master Plan provided as data and analysis in support of the North St. Lucie County (NSLC) Special Area Plan (SAP) subject to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) consumptive use process. Table 11-14The following table identifies the projected long- range water system and water treatment facilities capacity. Table 11-14 and shall be updated annually to reflect any scheduling, cost or funding changes associated with development approvals. As the NSLC SAP is wholly located within the boundaries of the SFWMD, any development will obtain all required consumptive water use permits from the SFWMD prior to any withdrawals for development purposes. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-26Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Í¬òÔ«½·»Ý±«²¬§úÚ¬òÐ·»®½»Ë¬·´·¬§ß«¬¸±®·¬§ Ô±²¹Î¿²¹»É¿¬»®Í§¬»³Ý¿°¿½·¬§úÉ¿¬»®Ì®»¿¬³»²¬Ú¿½·´·¬·»Ý¿°¿½·¬§ Ý¿°·¬¿´×³°®±ª»³»²¬Ð®±¶»½¬ éðùöìçûåÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×ÏùÛÌÛÙÓÈÃùÛÌÓÈÛÐóÏÌÊÍÆ×Ï×ÎÈìÊÍÒ×ÙÈÉ ùÛÌÛÙÓÈÃûØØÓÈÓÍÎÛÐ øÛÈ×åÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×ÏìÊÍÒ×ÙÈùÍÉÈöÇÎØÓÎÕ óÎÙÊ×ÛÉ×÷êçÉ 07 - 2006 Current excess capacity 2.16 mgd 5,333 N/A N/A 09 – 2006 Permit #0081062-176-WC 3.0 mgd 7,407$ 10,650,000 SRF/CIC [completed] Phase II 09 – 2007 Permit #0081062-176-WC 4.0 mgd 9,876$ 14,200,000 SRF/CIC [completed] Phase III RO Plant Expansion Phase 2014 - 2025 7.0 mgd 17,284$ 24,850,000 FPUA* IV Holiday Pines WTF 2013 –2022 1.2 mgd 2,963$ 7,500,000 Loan/SRF/DA expansion North County Water 2017 - 2025 5.0 mgd 12,346$ 24,000,000 Loan/SFR/DA Treatment Facility * Exceeds projected growth in the èÍÈÛÐóÎÙÊ×ÛÉ×ØåÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×ÏùÛÌÛÙÓÈÃ TVC for the NSLC SAP éðùöìçûåÛÉÈ×ÅÛÈ×ÊìÐÛÎÈùÛÌÛÙÓÈÃùÛÌÓÈÛÐóÏÌÊÍÆ×Ï×ÎÈìÊÍÒ×ÙÈÉ åÛÈ×Êê×ÙÐÛÏÛÈÓÍÎùÛÌÛÙÓÈÃûØØÓÈÓÍÎÛÐ øÛÈ×ùÍÉÈöÇÎØÓÎÕ öÛÙÓÐÓÈÃóÎÙÊ×ÛÉ×÷êçÉ 07-2006 Current excess capacity 2.51 mgd 10,458N/AN/A Mainland 5MGD WRF on- 05-20103.70 mgd 15,417$ 47,800,000 SRF/CIC line 2017-2025North County Regional 1.5 mgd 3,704$ 8,900,000 Loan/SRF/DA Mainland WRF expansion Demand 20.00 mgd 83,333$160,000,000FPUA* Driven (max avail expand 30mgd) * Exceeds projected growth in the èÍÈÛÐóÎÙÊ×ÛÉ×ØåÛÈ×Êê×ÙÐÛÏÛÈÓÍÎ * ÏÕØ TVC for the NSLC SAP ùÛÌÛÙÓÈÃ * FPUA’s Capital Budget is funded by Capital Improvement Charges (CIC), Contribution in Aid (CIA), State Revolving Fund Loans (SRF), Grants, Working Capital, and Developer Agreements (DA). Funding sources may be supplemented by the financing tools and strategies outlined in Policy 3.1.9.16. Policy 11.1.1.32.9.1.1.23 - Table 11-15The following table identifies proposed facility improvements scheduled by Ft. Pierce Public Utilities Authority (FPUA) and the County to St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-27Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 meet the capacity demands for growth in the service area, including the North St. Lucie County Special Area Plan. The County will monitor and update this long-term capital improvements schedule annually based on development approvals, FPUA updates to its Water & Wastewater Master Plan and County updates to its Water and Wastewater Master Plan. Committed and Planned revenue sources for St. Lucie County Utilities are shown in Table 11-15Athe following table. Í¬òÔ«½·»Ý±«²¬§úÚ¬òÐ·»®½»Ë¬·´·¬§ß«¬¸±®·¬§ Ô±²¹Î¿²¹»É¿¬»®Ì®»¿¬³»²¬Ú¿½·´·¬·»úÉ¿¬»®Î»½´¿³¿¬·±²Ú¿½·´·¬·» Ý¿°·¬¿´×³°®±ª»³»²¬Ð®±¶»½¬ åûè÷êèê÷ûèï÷îèöûùóðóèó÷é ãêùóì éÈðÇÙÓ×ùÍÇÎÈÃçÈÓÐÓÈÓ×ÉåÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×Ï ã×ÛÊùÛÌÓÈÛÐóÏÌÊÍÆ×Ï×ÎÈìÊÍÒ×ÙÈÉ ìÊÍÒ×ÙÈ÷ÉÈÓÏÛÈ×Ø ùóìéÙÔ×ØÇÐ×ìÊÍÒ×ÙÈöÇÎØÓÎÕ îÇÏÚ×ÊùÍÉÈ Developer 2011 3634 Water Line Extensions to Central County $1,219,000 Agreements 2010 3641 Water Interconnect – Kings Highway/Picos Rd $50,000 Connection Fees HEW Water Plant Water Storage Tank 2007 3600 $75,000 Connection Fees Replacement 2010 3638 North Hutchinson Island 1MG Tank $1,650,000 Connection Fees 2007 36002 Bryn Mawr High Service Pumps $325,000 Connection Fees Developer 2011 1905 Water Mains $387,000 Agreements èÍÈÛÐéÈðÇÙÓ×ùÍÇÎÈÃçÈÓÐÓÈÓ×ÉåÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×Ïã×ÛÊùóì öìçûåÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×Ï ã×ÛÊùÛÌÓÈÛÐóÏÌÊÍÆ×Ï×ÎÈìÊÍÒ×ÙÈÉ ìÊÍÒ×ÙÈ÷ÉÈÓÏÛÈ×Ø ùóìéÙÔ×ØÇÐ×ìÊÍÒ×ÙÈöÇÎØÓÎÕ îÇÏÚ×ÊùÍÉÈ 2011 5-1 Orange Avenue WM Improvements $794,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-2 Rock Road WM Improvements $668,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-3 Kings Highway WM Improvements $2,560,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-4 Taylor Dairy Rd. & St. Lucie Blvd. WM Improv. $1,270,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-5 Keen Rd. WM Improvements $655,000 Capital Budget St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-28Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 2011 5-6 Harmony Heights WM Improvements $1,500,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-7 Sunland Gardens WM Improvements $832,000Capital Budget Jenkins Road and Peterson Road WM 2011 5-8 $1,820,000 Capital Budget Improvements 2011 5-9 Jenkins Road WM Improvements $139,000 CIC 2011 5-10 Wal-Mart Distribution Center $353,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-11 Selvitz Road WM Improvements $378,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-12 Edwards Road WM Improvements $504,000 CIC/Cap. Budget 2011 5-13 25 Street WM Improvements $378,000 CIC/Wrk Capital th 2011 5-14 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and US-1 WM $1,890,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-15 Indian River Drive WM Improvements $479,000 Capital Budget 2011 5-18 Midway Rd. WM Improvements $895,000 CIC/Cap. Budget 2011 5-19 US-1, Saeger Ave. and Easy Street WM Improv. $1,200,000 Capital Budget èÍÈÛÐöìçûåÛÈ×ÊéÃÉÈ×Ïã×ÛÊùóì Policy 9.1.1.24: The County adopts by reference the St. Lucie School District Five Year District Facilities Work Program (2010-2011 Work Program) adopted by the School District on September 28, 2010. Objective 119.1.2: Provide needed public facilities that are within the ability of the County to fund the facilities from County revenues, development's proportionate share and contributions and grants or gifts from other sources. Policy 119.1.2.11- The estimated costs of all needed capital improvements shall not exceed conservative estimates of revenues from sources that are available to the County pursuant to or not precluded by current statutes, and which have not been rejected by referendum, if a referendum is required to enact a source of revenue. Policy 119.1.2.32- The County will allocate the costs of new public facilities on the basis of the benefits received by existing and future residents so that current residents will not subsidize new development. Policy 119.1.2.4.3 A. Future development. Future development shall pay for 100 percent of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-29Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 capital improvements needed to address the impact of such development. Future development's proportion of the cost of capital improvements needed to address the impact of such development shall be determined, in part, by the County's impact fee ordinances and supporting studies, which shall include credits for other payments by future development. Impact fees, enterprise fund user charges, connection fees, and other user fees paid by new development shall be reviewed every two years to assure that provision of capital improvements needed to address the impact of future development will not increase ad valorem tax rates. Upon completion of construction, "future" development becomes "present" development, and shall contribute to paying the costs of the replacement of obsolete or worn out facilities as described in subsection B below. Future development's payments may take the form of, but are not limited to, voluntary contributions for the benefit of any public facility, impact fees, capacity fees, dedications of land, provision of public facilities, and future payments of user fees, special assessments and taxes. Future development shall not pay impact fees for the portion of any capital improvements that reduces or eliminates existing deficiencies. B. Existing development. Existing development shall pay for the capital improvements to facilities that reduce or eliminate existing deficiencies, and some or all of the replacement of obsolete or worn out facilities. Existing development's payments may take the form of user fees, special assessments, and taxes. Policy 119.1.2.5.4 - Both existing and future development may have part of their costs paid by grants, entitlements or provision of public facilities from other levels of government and independent districts. Policy 119.1.2.6.5 - Capital improvements may be financed, and debt shall be managed as follows: a. Public facilities financed by County enterprise funds (i.e., automated services, potable water, sanitary sewer and solid waste) shall be financed by: 1) Debt to be repaid by user fees and charges for enterprise services, or 2) Current assets (i.e., reserves, surpluses and current revenue), or 3) A combination of debt and current assets. b. The financing of the capital cost of public facilities with non-enterprise funds (i.e., roads, stormwater management and parks) shall be from current revenue, equity or debt, or a combination of current revenue, equity and debt, whichever may be most cost effective and consistent with prudent asset and liability management, given the useful life of the assets to be financed and efficient use of the County's debt capacity. c. All development orders issued by the County which require public facilities that will be financed by debt shall be conditioned on the issuance of the debt, or the substitution of a comparable amount of non-debt revenues. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-30Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 119.1.2.7.6 - The County shall not provide a public facility, nor shall it accept the provision of a public facility by others, if the County is unable to pay for the subsequent annual operating and maintenance costs of the facility. Policy11.1.2.8-The County shall not provide a public facility, nor shall it accept the provision of a public facility by others, if the County is unable to pay for the subsequent annual operating and maintenance costs of the facility. Policy 119.1.2.9.7- In the event that sources of revenue listed in the Schedule of Capital Improvements under the heading "Costs and Revenues by Type of Public Facility"of this Element require voter approval in a local referendum that has not been held, or a referendum is held and is unsuccessful, this Comprehensive Plan will be amended to include one or more new revenue sources which shall not increase the County's existing debt. Alternatively, this Comprehensive Plan may be amended to adjust for the lack of revenues, in any of the following ways: 1. Increase the use of other sources of revenue. 2. Reduce the standard for levels of service for one or more public facilities. 3. Decrease the cost, and therefore the quality, of some types of public facilities while retaining the quantity of the facilities that is inherent in the standard for Levels of Service. 4. A combination of the above alternatives. Policy 119.1.2.10.8- All development orders issued by the County which require Category A public facilities that will be financed by sources of revenue which require voter approval in a local referendum that is yet to be held shall be conditioned on the referendum being approved, or the substitution of other sources of revenue to ensure that facilities are provided concurrent with need. Policy 119.1.2.112.9- Recognizing that future funding opportunities may be less than or greater than originally anticipated and that overall the County will operate within a constrained financial setting, the first priority for allocation of monies for capital purposes is for the maintenance of the County's present facilities so as to ensure proper protection of the investments in such facilities. Policy 9.1.2.10 – The County shall prudently limit the amount of debt it assumes for capital improvements or other purposes. At a minimum, the County shall not assume debt obligations which would result in the County exceeding the debt ratios established by state law. Objective 119.1.3: Within the County's financial capability, provide needed capital improvements for repair or replacement of obsolete or worn out facilities, eliminating existing deficiencies, and meeting the needs of future development and redevelopment caused by previously issued and new development orders. Policy 119.1.3.1 - The County shall provide, or arrange for others to provide, the public facilities listed in the Schedule of Capital Improvements of this Capital Improvements Element. Policy 119.1.3.2 - Pursuant to Section 163.3187, Florida Statutes, the Schedule of Capital Improvements may be amended two times during any calendar year, and as allowed for emergencies, developments of regional impact, and certain St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-31Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 small scale development activities. Policy 119.1.3.3 - Pursuant to Section 163.3177, Florida Statutes, the Schedule of Capital Improvements may be adjusted by ordinance not deemed to be an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for corrections, updates, and modifications concerning costs; revenue sources; acceptance of facilities pursuant to dedications which are consistent with the plan; or the date of construction of any facility enumerated in the Schedule of Capital Improvements. Policy 119.1.3.4 - The County shall adopt a capital budget as part of the annual budgeting process that includes all the capital improvements projects listed in the Schedule of Capital Improvements for expenditure during the appropriate fiscal year, except that the County may omit from its annual budget any capital improvements for which a binding agreement has been executed with another party to provide the same project in the same fiscal year. The County may also include in the capital appropriations of its annual budget additional public facility projects that conform to Policy 11.1.1.10.E. Policy 9.3.5 - The County shall utilize the following implementation schedule to aid state requirements for annual updates and to ensure level of service standards are maintained: Preliminary meetings discussion of capital improvement need during Strategic Planning Committee meeting in November. Prepare capital improvement plan in coordination with County budget for approval in April. Capital improvement plan/budget workshop in July with the Board of County Commissioners for discussion of proposed projects and financing Public hearing on capital improvement plan/budget in September. Revise Schedule of Capital Improvements and update Capital Improvement Element in October. Policy 11.1.3.5 -The impacts of development on public facilities within St. Lucie Ð±´·½·»ïïòïòíòë County are found to occur at the same time as development authorized by a final development order. The Board defines final development order as a building ¬¸®±«¹¸ permit, conditional use approval, Board of Adjustment approval, or any other ïïòïòíòé©» development order which has an immediate and continuing impact upon the ®»´±½¿¬»¼¿²¼ infrastructure. The County shall determine, prior to the issuance of final ®»²«³¾»®»¼¿ development orders, whether or not there is sufficient capacity of Category A and Ð±´·½·»çòïòìòì Category C public facilities to meet the standards for Levels of Service for existing population and the proposed development concurrent with the proposed ¬¸®±«¹¸çòïòìòêò development. Policy 11.1.3.6 -A preliminary development order is defined as a DRI Development approval, zoning approval, preliminary plat approval, preliminary development plan approval, Plan amendment approval, preliminary Planned Unit Development approval, or any other development order other than a final development order and for which there are not found to be any impacts of development. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-32Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 11.1.3.7 -The standards for Levels of Service of Category A and Category C public facilities shall be applied to the issuance of development orders on the following geographical basis: a.Public facilities which serve the entire County shall achieve and maintain the standard for Levels of Service on a County-wide basis. No development order shall be issued in any part of unincorporated St. Lucie County if the standard for Levels of Service is not achieved and maintained throughout the County for the following public facilities: 1) Solid Waste 2) Regional Parks b.Public facilities which serve less than the entire County shall achieve and maintain the standard for Levels of Service within their assigned service area as defined by the Board of County Commissioners. No development order shall be issued in an assigned service area or impact area if the standards for Levels of Service are not achieved throughout the assigned service area or impact area for the following public facilities: 1)Arterial and Collector Roads: In order to achieve and maintain the Level of Service Standards as adopted in the Transportation Element, developments shall address the mitigation of all potential project impacts on the roadway network in their traffic circulation plans. 2)Stormwater Management Systems: Drainage Sub-Basin 3)Potable Water Systems: Treatment Plant Service Area 4)Sanitary Sewer Systems: Treatment Plant Service Area 5)District Parks and Recreational Facilities: (Planning Area) Objective 119.1.4: Coordinate land use decisions and available or projected fiscal resources with a schedule of capital improvements that maintains adopted Level of Service Standards and meets existing and future facility needs. Policy 119.1.4.1 - All Category A public facility capital improvements shall be consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the appropriate elements of this Comprehensive Plan. Policy 119.1.4.2 - The County shall integrate its land use planning and decisions with its plans for public facility capital improvements by using the policies listed in this section of the Capital Improvements Element. The location of, and Level of Service provided by projects in the Schedule of Capital Improvements shall maintain adopted standards Ffor Levels of Service for existing and future development in a manner and location consistent with the Future Land Use Element of this Comprehensive Plan. Individual land use decisions shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the ability of the County to provide and maintain Level of Service. Policy 119.1.4.3 - The County shall amend continue to implement its land development regulationsLand Development Code for adequate public facilities to provide for a system of review of various applications for development orders which applications, if granted, would impact the Levels of Service of Category A and issue Certificates of Capacity.and Category C public facilities as defined in Policy 11.1.1.2. Such system of review shall assure that no final development St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-33Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 order shall be issued which results in a reduction in the Levels of Service identified in Policies 11.1.1.12 through 11.1.1.35. The land development regulationsLand Development Code shall address the following, at a minimum, in determining whether a development order can be issued. a. No final development order shall be issued by the County unless there shall be sufficient capacity of Category A and Category Cpublic facilities to meet the standards for Levels of Service for the existing and committed development and for the proposed development according to the following deadlines: 1) Prior to the issuance of a building permit for the following public facilities: (a) Potable water. (b) Sanitary sewer. (c) Solid waste. 2) Prior to the issuance of the building permit, assurance as to the completion for the following public facilities within the next twelve months must be provided: (a) Arterial and collector roads. (b) Storm water management. b. The capacity of Category A and Category C public facilities shall be determined for preliminary development orders according to one of the following: 1) The applicant may request a determination of such capacity as part of the review and approval of the preliminary development order provided that: (a) The determination that such capacity is available shall apply only to specific uses, densities, and intensities based on information provided by the applicant, and included in the development order, and (b) The determination that such capacity is available shall be valid for development that is completed within a period: (1) Not to exceed two years, or (2) Any period of time acceptable to the County and the applicant, provided that the period of time is explicitly set forth in a binding development agreement as authorized by Florida Statutes, and the applicant provides one or more of the following assurances, acceptable to the County in form and amount, to guarantee the applicant's pro rata share of the County's financial obligation for public facilities which are constructed by the County for the benefit of the subject property: [a] Performance bond, [b] Irrevocable letter of credit, [c] Prepayment of impact fees, St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-34Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 [d] Prepayment of capacity (i.e., prepayment of capacity connection charges), or [e] Formation of a Community Development District pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes. (c) Whenever an applicant's pro rata share of a public facility is less than the full cost of the facility, the County shall do one of the following: (1) Contract with the applicant for the full cost of the facility, including terms regarding reimbursement of the applicant for costs in excess of the applicant's pro rata share, or (2) Obtain assurances similar to those in subsection (b)[2] from other sources, or (3) Amend this Comprehensive Plan to modify the adopted standard for the Level of Service so as to reduce the required facility to equal the applicant's needs. (d) Pursuant to (a) and (b), above, no further determination of capacity for the subject property as required by Policy 11.1.3.6shall be required prior to the expiration of the determination of capacity for the preliminary development order, except that any change in the density, intensity or land use that requires additional public facilities or capacity is subject to review and approval or denial by the County. The determination of capacity for the preliminary development order shall be considered a reservation of capacity until the end of the time periods specified in Policy 119.1.4.3.(B)(1)(b) above, or until the County is notified in writing by the applicant that the project will not be undertaken during those time periods and that the applicant voluntarily yields the reserved capacity. Public facility capacity that is determined to be available pursuant to this subsection shall be reserved on behalf of the preliminary development order in such a manner as to prevent the overuse or over commitment of the same public facility capacity. 1)Reserved. 21) Notwithstanding the procedures outlined in Policy 119.1.4.3.(B)(1), all approvals at the preliminary development order stage shall include a condition that the final development order containing a specific plan for development, including the densities and intensities of development, will not be issued unless public services and facilities exist or are assured to be available to meet or exceed the Level of Service Standards concurrent with the impacts of development. 32) The applicant may elect to request approval of a preliminary development order without a determination of capacity of Category A and Category C public facilities provided that any such order is issued subject to requirements in the applicable land development regulation or to specific conditions contained in the preliminary development order that: St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-35Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 (a) Final development orders for the subject property are subject to a determination of capacity of Category A and Category C public facilities, as required by Policy 11.1.3.6, and (b) No rights to obtain final development orders, nor any other rights to develop the subject property have been granted or implied by the County's approval of the preliminary development order without determining the capacity of public facilities. (c) Applicants for development orders may offer to provide public facilities at the applicant's own expense in order to ensure sufficient capacity of Category A and Category C public facilities, as determined according to Paragraphs a and b, above. Development orders may be issued subject to the provision of public facilities by the applicant subject to both of the following requirements: (1) The County and the applicant enter into an enforceable development agreement which shall provide, at a minimum, a schedule for construction of the public facilities and mechanisms for monitoring to insure that the public facilities are completed concurrent with the impacts of the development, or the development will not be allowed to proceed. (2) The public facilities are contained in the Schedule of Capital Improvements of the Comprehensive Plan. (d) If public facilities are provided at an applicant's own expense, as allowed in subparagraph (c) above, the facility shall not be provided later than the fiscal year for which that facility was programmed in the Schedule of Capital Improvements. Policy 9.1.4.4 - A preliminary development order is defined as a DRI Development approval, zoning approval, preliminary plat approval, preliminary development plan approval, Plan amendment approval, preliminary Planned Unit Development approval, or any other development order other than a final development order and for which there are not found to be any impacts of development. Policy 9.1.4.5 - The impacts of development on public facilities within St. Lucie County are found to occur at the same time as development authorized by a final development order. The Board defines final development order as a building permit, conditional use approval, Board of Adjustment approval, or any other development order which has an immediate and continuing impact upon the infrastructure. The County shall determine, prior to the issuance of final development orders, whether or not there is sufficient capacity of Category A public facilities to meet the standards for Levels of Service for existing population and the proposed development concurrent with the proposed development. Policy 9.1.4.6- The Land Development Code of the County shall provide that applications for development orders that are denied because of insufficient capacity of public facilities may be resubmitted after a time period to be specified St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-36Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 in the Land Development Code. Such time period is in lieu of, and not in addition to, other minimum waiting periods imposed on applications for development orders that are denied for reasons other than lack of capacity of public facilities. Land Development Code shall require that development commence within a specified time after a development order is issued, or the development order shall expire, subject to reasonable extensions of time based on criteria included in the regulations. The Land Development Code also shall provide for the County to reserve capacity for approved final development orders for a specified period of time. Policy 119.1.4.47- Impact fee ordinances shall require the same standard for the Level of Service as is required by Policies 11.1.1.12 through 11.1.1.35the Comprehensive Plan. Policy 119.1.4.58- The annual budget shall include in its capital appropriations all projects in the Schedule of Capital Improvements that are planned for expenditure during the next fiscal year. Policy 119.1.4.69- The County's annual multiyear Capital Improvement Program (CIP) shall be prepared in conjunction with the annual review and update of the Capital Improvements Element. The CIP shall contain all of the projects listed in the updated Schedule of Capital Improvements of the updated version of the Capital Improvements Element. Policy 119.1.4.710- The Capital Improvements Element shall be reviewed and updated annually. Beginning in April of each year, the element shall be updated in conjunction with the County's budget process and the release of the official population estimates and projections by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) of the University of Florida. The update shall include: A. Revision of population projections to reflect both the official projections from B.E.B.R. and formally adopted local estimates prepared by the Community DevelopmentPlanning and Development Services Department, B. Update of inventory of public facilities, C. Update of costs of public facilities, D. Update of Public Facilities Requirements analysis (actual Levels of Service compared to adopted standards), E. Update of revenue forecasts, F. Revision and development of capital improvement projects for the next five fiscal years, G. Update of analysis of financial capacity, and H. Update of analysis of any pending public education and public health facility impacts on infrastructure. Policy 119.1.4.811- The County shall establish and maintain a Concurrency Implementation and Monitoring System. The System shall consist of the following components: St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-37Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 A. Annual report on the capacity and Levels of Service of public facilities. compared to the standards for Levels of Service adopted in Policies 11.1.1.12 through 11.1.1.35. This report will function as a public information source to summarize the actual capacity of public facilities, and forecast the capacity of public facilities for each of the five succeeding fiscal years. The forecast reportshall include anbe prepared in conjunction with the updated Schedule of Capital Improvements. The annual report shall also summarize and forecast capacities and Levels of Service for comparison to the standards adopted in Policies 11.1.1.12 through 11.1.1.35the Capital Improvement Element, but such portion of the annual report shall be for information purposes only and shall not pertain to the issuance of development orders by the County. B. Public Facility Capacity Review. The County shall use the procedures specified in Policy 11.1.4.3, above, to enforce the requirements of Policies 11.1.3.6 through 11.1.3.8, and to assure that public facilities and services needed to support development are available concurrent with the impacts of such developments. A separate record shall be maintained during each fiscal year to indicate the cumulative impacts of all development orders approved during the fiscal year-to-date on the capacity of public facilities as set forth in the most recent annual report on capacity and Levels of Service of public facilities. The landdevelopment regulations of the County shall provide that applications for development orders that are denied because of insufficient capacity of public facilities may be resubmitted after a time period to be specified in the land development regulations. Such time period is in lieu of, and not in addition to, other minimum waiting periods imposed on applications for development orders that are denied for reasons other than lack of capacity of public facilities. Land development regulations shall require that development commence within a specified time after a development order is issued, or the development order shall expire, subject to reasonable extensions of time based on criteria included in the regulations. The land development regulations also shall provide for the County to reserve capacity for approved final development orders for a specified period of time. C.Review of Changes in Planned Capacity of Public Facilities. The County shall review each amendment to this Capital Improvement Element, in particular any changes in standards for Levels of Service and changes in the Schedule of Capital Improvements, in order to enforce the requirements of Policy 11.1.3.5. DC. Concurrency Implementation Strategies. The County shall annually review the concurrency implementation policies that are incorporated in this Capital Improvements Element: (1) Standards for Levels of Service are phased to specific fiscal years in order to provide clear, unambiguous standards for issuance of development orders. (See Policies 11.1.1.12 through 11.1.1.35.) (2) Standards for Levels of Service are applied within appropriate geographical areas of the County. Standards for County-wide St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-38Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 public facilities are applied to development orders based on Levels of Service throughout the County. Standards for public facilities that serve less than the entire County are applied to development orders on the basis of Levels of Service within assigned service areas. (See Policy 11.1.3.8.) (3) Standards for Levels of Service are applied according to the timing of the impacts of development on public facilities. Final development orders, which impact public facilities in a matter of months, are issued subject to the availability of water, sewer, and solid waste facilities prior to the issuance of the building permit, and other public facilities (i.e., roads, parks, and drainage) must be available within twelve months of the issuance of the building permit. Preliminary development orders can be issued subject to public facility capacity, but the capacity determination expires in two years. As an alternative, the determination of public facility capacity for preliminary development orders can be waived with an agreement that a capacity determination must be made prior to issuance of any final development order for the subject property. Such a waiver specifically precludes the acquisition of rights to a final development order as a result of the issuance of the preliminary development order. (See Policies 11.1.3.6 and 11.1.3.7.) (4) Levels of Service are compared to adopted standards on an annual basis. Annual monitoring is used, rather than case-by-case monitoring, for the following reasons: a) annual monitoring corresponds to annual expenditures for capital improvements during the County's fiscal year; b) annual monitoring covers seasonal variations in Levels of Service; and c) case-by-case monitoring would require applicants for development orders or the County to conduct costly, time-consuming research which would often be partially redundant of prior research, or involve disparate methodologies and produce inconsistent results. (5) Public facility capital improvements are prioritized among competing applications for the same amount of facility capacity according to the criteria in the Capital Improvements Elementto the criteria in Policy 11.1.1.10. If any applications have to be deferred to a future fiscal year because of insufficient capacity of public facilities during the current fiscal year, the applications to be deferred will be selected on the basis of rational criteria as determined by the Board of County Commissioners. Policy 9.1.4.12 – The County shall consider the financial feasibility of implementing a concurrency and capacity database by 2012. COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREAS Objective 119.1.5: The County shall protect the coastline and avoid loss of life and property in coastal areas by minimizing land development and public facilities in coastal high hazard areas. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-39Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Policy 119.1.5.1 - Publicly funded infrastructure shall not be constructed within the Coastal High Hazard Area unless the expenditure is for: A. Restoration or enhancement of natural resources or public access; B. Land application of treated effluent disposal (irrigation) on public and private open spaces; C. Flood-proofing water and sanitary sewage facilities; D. The development or improvement of a facility which will serve a crucial need by ameliorating the evacuation time of residents of the County; E. Reconstruction of seawalls that are essential to the protection of existing public facilities or infrastructure; F. The retrofitting of stormwater management facilities for water quality enhancement of stormwater runoff; or G. Port facilities. Policy 11.1.1.32 -Table 11-15 identifies proposed facility improvements scheduled by Fort Pierce Public Utilities Authority (FPUA) and the County to meet the capacity demands for growth in the service area, including the North St. Lucie County Special Area Plan. The County will monitor and update this long-term capital improvements schedule annually based on development approvals, FPUA updates to its Water and Wastewater Master Plan and County updates to its Water and Wastewater Master Plan. Committed and Planned revenue sources for St. Lucie County Utilities are shown in Table 11-15A. (Ord. No. 07-037, 11-6-07) St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 9-40Capital Improvements Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT DATA INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Purpose The Economic Development Element is an optional element of the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan. The Element provides direction for the future to: assist government and developers in informed investment decision-making; diversify and promote a more sustainable tax base; protect the integrity of real estate investments; protect against overbuilding and urban sprawl; and stimulate job growth in the targeted industries. The Economic Development Element recognizes that St. Lucie County needs to act in coordination with neighboring municipalities and private enterprise, because of the economic relationships that exists between geographic areas and the private sector. This Element is a starting point and the base of the economic development tool box. The Economic Development Element describes the current conditions in the county, selects a direction for economic development and develops goals, objectives, and policies to advance the plan for economic development. ECONOMIC BENCHMARKS St. Lucie County has historically been one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. By 2010, St. Lucie County became the new home of prestigious biotechnology institutions such as the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, and the Mann Research Center, LLC. St. Lucie County is emerging as the next center of science and technology excellence within the state. In addition to biotechnology, St. Lucie County has had great success in a number of other target industries. In 2009, St. Lucie County in partnership with the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, was able to create 3,000 new, high wage jobs; a thousand of which are also high wage, high skill positions. The County would like to continue monitoring new job creation, salaries, and the relationship between these and local educational institutions, the adopted Targeted Industry List, and economic development incentives. In April 2009, the EDC and the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce hosted the St. Lucie Economic Roundtable to discuss the County’s transition to a knowledge-based economy and to create a vision for the future. The group authored draft mandates for actions to be taken in the next three to five years: 1) Development of an academy in the public school system that is aligned with the economic sector’s needs 2) A trans-disciplinary approach in building a public school academy that creates a seamless transition to higher learning 3) The development of programs that spark interest in science and math at an early age St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-1 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 4) The creation of an advisory committee of business leaders from the EDC to assist the school superintendent. Additionally, the group determined to work collaboratively between city management and County administration to publish an official vision statement for the County and create a list of potential financing opportunities. GEOGRAPHIC SETTING One of the greatest influences upon the mobility and economic development of St. Lucie County is the highway network. The proximity of Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike combined with US Highway 1, SR A-1-A, St. Lucie County International Airport, and the Port of Ft. Pierce provide access to markets throughout Florida, the United States, South America, and the world. As economies globalize, St. Lucie County’s linkages with other geographic areas become more evident and more important. It is therefore necessary to view the County’s economy not as an isolated unit, but within a broader context. St. Lucie County also enjoys a reputation as vacation destination with the theme: “Stay Tranquil.” Among the many attractions for residents and visitors alike are 21 miles of beach, the Indian River Lagoon, the 500 acre Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Smithsonian Marine Institution, canoeing on the St. Lucie River, or visiting one of the many museums in the County. Locations Suitable for Economic Development Depending on their individual requirements, businesses may find that their immediate needs for property can be met in areas already developed for commercial or industrial activities. The Economic Development Council keeps a database of properties available and suitable for development. Priority should be given to renovating existing and creating new locations for economic development and businesses. Land use planning, zoning, infrastructure planning, and fiscal policy should encourage patterns of development that will foster redevelopment and infill of existing commercial and industrial areas, and encourage new areas to form in a way that will increase the number and availability of good locations for economic development. Criteria for good business locations include a good transportation network, available infrastructure, close proximity to neighborhoods (employees), high density of customers and support businesses, and proximity to cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities. St. Lucie County International Airport The St. Lucie County International Airport (FPR) is located north of Fort Pierce. It is a general aviation airport that serves several flight schools, an airplane manufacturer, and several businesses ancillary to airport and flight operations. It serves charter flights to and from the Bahamas, as well as, flights throughout the continental United States. Federal Express and United Parcel Services have flight operations from here. The Airport Industrial Park, just to the east of the airport, also benefits from the proximity to the airport and its services. The vast 3,660 acre airport property is owned by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and is managed by the County’s Airport Department. Because of the availability of developable airport property, a strong potential for both aviation and non-aviation related growth exists at the airport. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-2 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Within St. Lucie County, much of the airport property and surrounding area is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). The Florida Aviation System Plan (FASP) 2025 identifies two types of airports: commercial service and community airports – the FDOT selected the term “community airport” rather than “general aviation” to emphasize the importance of the airport to the community it serves. Since FPR only serves general aviation activity at this time, it is classified as a community airport. However, the FASP 2025 indicates that FPR may attract future commercial airline services associated with tourism, business, and international passengers. (Source: Draft St. Lucie County International Airport Master Plan Update, March 2009). Port of Ft. Piece The Port of Ft. Pierce is the region’s only deep water port. The County incorporated a Port Sub-element in the Comprehensive Plan in 2002 as required by Florida Statutes. Much of the Port Planning Area lies within the City of Fort Pierce and the Fort Pierce Community Redevelopment Area. A small portion of the Port Planning Area lies within unincorporated St. Lucie County and development of this portion is governed by the County’s Future Land Use Element, the Port Sub-element, and the County’s Land Development Code Foreign Trade Zones St. Lucie also has a number of sites classified as Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs). The FTZs are secure industrial parks and specialized warehouses considered to be outside of the US Customs territory, typically located close to a port of entry such as the Crossroads Park of Commerce. The following are FTZs in St. Lucie County. Kings Highway Industrial Park Airport North St. Lucie West Commerce Park Airport Industrial Park Airport South Economic Clusters Tradition The Tradition Area in Port St. Lucie has become a technology cluster with three prestigious biotechnology institutions Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, and the Mann Research Center, LLC having located operations in this area. Other technology companies such as an upcoming digital animation studio may complement the technology cluster in Tradition. Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA) In 2005, the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida collectively created this agriculturally-and-biotechnologically-focused Research Park in unincorporated St. Lucie County including renewable energy and alternative fuel companies. This Research Park is governed by the Treasure Coast Education, Research and Development Authority (TCERDA), pursuant to Florida Statute Section 159, Part V, and the enabling Resolution and Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida. It is envisioned as a home to multi- disciplinary scientists, researchers and educators. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-3 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 The initial master plan calls for over 350 developed acres of buildings and wet labs to house research, development and educational institutions, businesses and incubators, with an additional 700 acres for agricultural fields and for future Research Park expansion. USDA's 170,000 square foot Horticultural Research Laboratory and the 90,000 square foot University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' Research and Education Center will anchor the TCERDA's Research Park. TOURISM St. Lucie County's Tourism Division’s mission is to improve the overall economic condition of St. Lucie County through activities, special events, marketing and expanding tourism within St. Lucie County as a year-round destination. St. Lucie County's Tourist Development Council (TDC) is represented by local elected officials, hospitality professionals and tourism-related community members and the TDC serves as an advisory committee to the St. Lucie County's Board of County Commissioners. The TDC appointed seats are comprised of three elected officials, three representatives from accommodations collecting the tourist tax, and three representatives from tourism-related industries, as directed by Florida Statutes 125.0104. St. Lucie County has many natural assets and planned activities to offer visitors. In addition to the round balmy weather other attractions include: Water activities, specifically beaches, fishing and boating Sporting events and activities: St. Lucie County is the spring training home to the New York Mets. In addition to baseball, St. Lucie also offers world class golfing opportunities Ecotourism: The County is blessed with a variety of natural resources and habitats including St. Lucie River offers unlimited exploration by canoe, kayak or on an eco-boat tour. It is also home of numerous natural resources as well as the Heathcote Botanical Gardens, the Manatee Education & Observation Center, the St. Lucie Marine Center featuring the Smithsonian Ecosystems Exhibit, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at FAU and the Oxbow Eco-Center. Arts and Culture: St. Lucie County is home to the legendary Florida landscape painters A.E. “Bean” Backus and the Florida Highwaymen and renowned African- American author Zora Neale Hurston, inspiration for the Dust Tracks Heritage Trail that follows her life in St. Lucie County. The St. Lucie Regional History Center highlight’s the County’s history and St. Lucie is home to the one and only National Navy SEAL Museum. Visitor Origination St. Lucie, like many other south Florida communities, has seen a major influx of seasonal residents during the winter months. Many of these seasonal visitors are coming from the Northeast, Canada, and Europe to escape the cold and enjoy St. Lucie’s perfect weather and the many activities and opportunities described above. The County attracts a number of international visitors, but succinct data is not available. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-4 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Targeted Visitor Market and Approach Targeted markets include the Northeast (specifically New York and New Jersey) and Canada. Marketing to Florida residents and some southeast markets including Georgia (particularly Atlanta), South Carolina, and North Carolina will focus on “staycations” in the area. The Tourism is shifting from a print-heavy media schedule to more of a online and email marketing media plan. Due to the challenging economic times, the County is very aggressive in establishing partnerships with industry partners such as vacation packages and co-op advertising opportunities. In December of 2008, St. Lucie County signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Grand Bahama Island in a partnership to develop mutually beneficial tourism and economic development opportunities between the two entities. The Board of County Commissioners approved the development of a Grand Bahama Island Ad Hoc committee focused on achieving these goals. This data was updated during an economic recession during the late 2000’s. Like most Florida destinations, travel had decreased as well as hotel tax revenues. 2009 compared to 2008 is experiencing approximately a 16% decrease in hotel tax revenues. However, this decrease is fairly low compared to other counties within Florida. St. Lucie attributes this to its ongoing effort to attract various sporting events to our area (i.e. Florida High School State Baseball Championship, Police & Fire Games, etc.) that take advantage of our numerous sports venues and facilities. Sports tourism is one of the tourism segments that is continuing to thrive. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-5 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 TARGETED INDUSTRIES St. Lucie County maintains a Targeted Industry list to provide direction in its economic development programming. The County intends to focus on industries that have potential for high skill, high paying, long-term employment that will contribute to the overall quality of life of County residents. As of August 5, 2008, the targeted industry list is as follows: Source: St. Lucie County, 2009 Other industries may be considered by the Board of County Commissioners if the company can improve the quality of life within the community by creating new jobs and/or high wages. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-6 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 EMPLOYMENT Major Employers Major employers in St. Lucie County are as follows: Public Sector Employers: Number of Employees St. Lucie County School District ................................................................................. 4,612 City of Port St. Lucie .................................................................................................. 1,127 St. Lucie County BOCC ............................................................................................... 754 St. Lucie County Sheriff Department ............................................................................ 647 St. Lucie County Fire District ......................................................................................... 468 City of Fort Pierce ......................................................................................................... 414 United States Postal Service ......................................................................................... 350 Fort Pierce Utilities Authority ......................................................................................... 295 St. Lucie County Clerk of Courts ................................................................................... 189 Department of Children and Families ............................................................................ 170 St. Lucie County Tax Collector ........................................................................................ 85 St. Lucie County Property Appraisers ............................................................................. 67 St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections ........................................................................ 18 Private Sector Employers: Number of Employees Liberty Healthcare Group, Inc .................................................................................... 2,000 Indian River State College ......................................................................................... 1,563 Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute ............................................... 1,400 Publix Super Markets, Inc. (10 stores) ...................................................................... 1,117 Wal-Mart Stores (3 stores .......................................................................................... 1,050 Florida Power and Light Co ........................................................................................ 1,038 QVC St. Lucie, Inc ...................................................................................................... 1,000 St. Lucie Medical Center ............................................................................................... 800 Wal-Mart Distribution Center ......................................................................................... 600 Aegis Communications Group, Inc ................................................................................ 526 Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (4 stores ................................................................................... 428 Riverside National Bank of Florida ................................................................................ 402 Home Depot USA, Inc. (3 stores ................................................................................... 372 Tropicana Products, Inc ................................................................................................ 360 Florida Atlantic University / Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute ............................ 358 New Horizons of the Treasure Coast (5 locations) ....................................................... 272 Holiday Village of Sandpiper ......................................................................................... 250 National City / PNC ...................................................................................................... 250 Source: Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, 2009 The following tables show employment by major industry and average wages. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-7 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 10-1 St. Lucie Major Industry Area of Employment îððéîððèîððç û±ºû±ºû±º Ô¿¾±®Ô¿¾±®Ô¿¾±®Ô¿¾±®Ô¿¾±®Ô¿¾±® ×²¼«¬®§Ú±®½»Ú±®½»Ú±®½»Ú±®½»Ú±®½»Ú±®½» ß¹®·½«´¬«®»ôº±®»¬®§ôº·¸·²¹¿²¼¸«²¬·²¹ô¿²¼³·²·²¹ìòíûíôðêíïòíûïôìîïìòêûíôîçì Ý±²¬®«½¬·±²èòçûêôííçïêòíûïèôðîïçòðûêôìîè Ó¿²«º¿½¬«®·²¹ìòïûîôçîðíòçûìôíëëìòïûîôçïç É¸±´»¿´»Ì®¿¼»öîòéûíôðîèëòèûìôïêð Î»¬¿·´Ì®¿¼»öïêòïûïéôçððïíòéûçôéêë Ì®¿²°±®¬¿¬·±²¿²¼©¿®»¸±«·²¹ô¿²¼«¬·´·¬·»îðòïûïìôíïêëòîûëôéëëìòéûíôíèï ×²º±®³¿¬·±²ðòçûêìïîòðûîôîììðòçûêêé Ú·²¿²½»ô·²«®¿²½»ô¿²¼®»¿´»¬¿¬»´»¿·²¹ëòìûíôèìêêòðûêôêéèëòìûíôèêí Ð®±º»·±²¿´ô½·»²¬·º·½ô³¿²¿¹»³»²¬¿²¼ ¿¼³·²·¬®¿¬·ª»ô¿²¼©¿¬»³¿²¿¹»³»²¬»®ª·½»ïðòðûéôïîíïðòéûïïôèèëïðòðûéôïïç Û¼«½¿¬·±²¿´»®ª·½»ô¿²¼¸»¿´¬¸½¿®»¿²¼±½·¿´ ¿·¬¿²½»ïîòëûèôçðíïéòçûïçôèíðîïòêûïëôìêð ß®¬ô»²¬»®¬¿·²³»²¬ô®»½®»¿¬·±²ô¿²¼¿½½±³³±¼¿¬·±² ¿²¼º±±¼»®ª·½» çòéûêôçðçèòðûèôèçíçòéûêôçêë Ñ¬¸»®»®ª·½» îòêûïôèëîìòìûìôèìêîòêûïôèìè Ð«¾´·½¿¼³·²·¬®¿¬·±² éòçûëôêîéëòìûëôçèíéòèûëôëçè Ì±¬¿´Û³°´±§³»²¬ß´´Ù®±«°êïôëíçïïðôèíçéïôìêé Ò±¬»æö×²îððéô¾±¬¸¬¸»É¸±´»¿´»Ì®¿¼»¿²¼Î»¬¿·´Ì®¿¼»¬±¬¿´©»®»½±³¾·²»¼©·¬¸Ì®¿²°±®¬¿¬·±²¿²¼ ©¿®»¸±«·²¹ô¿²¼«¬·´·¬·»¬±¬¿´ò Source: Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget Table 10-2 2008 Average Annual Wage Source: Office of Economic & Demographic Research, The Florida Legislature, September 2009 Financial Health and Cost of Living The following table compare St. Lucie County’s cost of living to other Florida counties and the nation. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-8 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 TTable 10-3 SSt. Lucie County and Sttate of Floriida per Cappital Incomee Surce: Office of conomic & Deographic Reserch, The Florid Legislature, Sptember 2009, t. Lucie Count Board ooEEmmaaaaeeSSyy off County Commisssioners, Fiscal YYear 2009-2010 Budget TTable 10-4 CCost of Livinng Miami- Palm Beach Browward DadeU.SS. St. Luccie County CountyyCounnty Couunty Averaage 22008 Cost off Port St. FortWest Palmm Fort LLiving Lucie Pierce Beach Lauderddale Miammi OOverall 92 93 112 124 137 100.0 HHousing 71 73 121 152 199 100.0 TTransportation112 111 110 111 110 100.0 UUtilities97 97 96 101 105 100.0 FFood 101 100.4 108.2 108.6 107 100.0 urce: Economi Development ouncil of St. Lcie County, St. Lucie County oard of County Commissioners Fiscal SooccCCuuBB,, Yeear 2009-2010 BBudget UUnemploymeent TThe Economic Developmment Elemennt was reviseed during a recession inn the late 20000’s. UUnemploymeent in the Coounty, the sstate, and naation reacheed 25-year hhighs. Contiinued economic dvelopmentctivities wil allow the County to icrease eployment oerall eaallnnmmvv thhrough the taarget industrries. St. Lucie County Comprehhensive Plann 10-9 Ecoonomic Deveelopment Eleement EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Table 10-5 Unemployment Rate Year St. Lucie County Florida 1990 13.2% 6.3% 2000 5.7% 3.8% 2008 8.8% 6.2% 2009* 15.3% 11% Source: Office of Demographic Research, Florida Legislature, September 2009; 2009 figures from Florida Agency for Workforce Solutions, October 2009. Jobs Housing Balance In an ideal world, there would be one job per resident. More realistically, a standard of 1.5 jobs to each housing unit could be developed and a range of 1.3 to 1.7 or 1.4 to 1.6 could be adopted as a target. (Weitz, Jerry, “Jobs-Housing Balance,”Planning Advisory Service, American Planning Association, 2003.) The jobs/housing balance for 2007 is 0.56 based upon the number of households and labor force totals. This low ratio may partially be due to the large retirement community. The County would like to utilize a jobs/housing balance ratio as a barometer of economic success. EDUCATION The public school system is countywide and is governed by the School Board consisting of five members each elected for a four-year term. The school system is comprised of twenty elementary schools (grades K-5), eleven schools that combine grades K-8, five middle schools (grades 6-8) and six high schools (grades 9-12). Of the total 42 schools in St. Lucie County, there are five Magnet Schools: three elementary, one combined K-8, and one high school. Higher educational resources within the County include: Indian River State College (IRSC) (formally Indian River Community College), Keiser University, and extension campuses of Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida, Nova Southeastern University, and Barry University. Each of these institutions offer four-year degree programs. The following table shows educational attainment rates in comparison to the state and the nation. Table 10-6 Educational Attainment (2007 Level of Education) St. Lucie County State of Florida U.S. Population 25 years and over 180,775 12,588,083 197,892,369 < 9th grade 7.0%5.7%6.4% 9th to 12th grade, no diploma12.6% 9.4% 9.1% High school graduate (includes equivalency)36.3%31.5%30.1% Some college, no degree 19.9% 19.2% 19.5% Associate's degree 8.3%8.4%7.4% Bachelor's degree 10.7% 16.9% 17.4% Graduate or professional degree 5.2%8.9%10.1% Source: Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-10 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS St. Lucie County has embraced two popular economic development tools, namely branding and cluster development. Along with Indian River and Martin County, St. Lucie County now promotes itself as part of Florida’s “Research Coast”. This branding highlights the region’s desire to shift its image from an agricultural and tourist-based economy (Treasure Coast) to an area that is invested in recruiting businesses that offer high-skilled, high-paying, long-term employment opportunities. Business Retention and Expansion One of the EDC’s key programs is the development of a Business Retention and Expansion program (BRE) for businesses located in St. Lucie County through a collaborative effort between St. Lucie County's Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast, St. Lucie County's Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. The BRE Program tries to identify the following: Companies at risk. Companies ready for expansion. Company business needs - Uncover business needs, local factors, or trends that might lead a company to shutdown, relocate or expand. Communication - Establish an on-going communication between the public and private sector, and build a pro-business attitude for local businesses. Knowledge - Build a knowledge base of how the local economy works. Economic Development Incentives St. Lucie County has a number of incentives for business to relocate in St. Lucie County. They include: Job Growth Investment Grant Ad Valorem Tax Abatement Industrial Development Revenue Bonds Economic Development Impact Fee Mitigation Foreign Trade Zone Brownfield Site Franchise Fee Rebate These County programs complement the following State of Florida economic development incentives: Sales and Use Tax Exemptions Qualified Target Industry Grant Capital Investment Tax Credit High Impact Performance Grant Infrastructure Incentive Road Fund St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-11 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HISTORY In 1993, the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded St. Lucie County a grant to fund a countywide economic plan. The result of this effort was the St. Lucie County Economic Development Base Study, which was completed in 1995. This document quantifies local economic conditions to more effectively set a course of action. Subsequently, the County went through a visioning process, which resulted in a document called Vision St. Lucie which recommended the following: 1. An education system and business partnership that provides a work force competitive in the global economy; 2. An uncompromised quality of life for all ages and cultures to live, learn, work, and play; 3. A public/private partnership that creates a political and business climate conducive to economic development and high quality job growth while protecting our natural environment; 4. Infrastructure that supports the education, quality of life, and economic development visions; 5. Streamlined government with a minimum of duplication of services; 6. A public/private partnership providing the leadership to achieve the shared vision for education, quality of life, economic development, infrastructure, and government. In 1995, a Visioning Summit was held as a part of the formulation of Vision St. Lucie, in order to more clearly define the wants and needs of the community in regard to education, quality of life, economic development, infrastructure, and government. From the visioning process, the following benchmarks emerged to measure the progress of economic development in the county through 2010. Increase high tech, such as communications and electronics industries, and manufacturing jobs to ten percent of total jobs. Increase the growth rate of average earnings per job to the highest level of any county in Florida or at least one percent per year. Increase St. Lucie County per capita income to above the U.S. per capita income. The following GOPs incorporate many of the recommendations and benchmarks advanced in Vision St. Lucie. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-12 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES Goal 1210.1: Support economic development in St. Lucie County as part of an overall strategy for sustainability and quality of life. Improve the St. Lucie County economy. Objective 1210.1.1: Develop and implement activities designed to improve the overall prosperity of St. Lucie County and its residents. Policy 1210.1.1.1 - Attract investors to help diversify the industrial base, broaden the economic tax base and strengthen the job market. Policy 1210.1.1.2 - Encourage redevelopment projects and business expansions that will promote economic development opportunities. Policy 1210.1.1.3 - Develop a program for projects in order to encourage investment and assist targeted industries in the approval process. Policy 1210.1.1.4 - Place a high priority on infill projects that are consistent with the smart growth policies of St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.1.1.5 - Encourage more construction of executive housing stock that will assist in the attraction of higher paying job opportunities. Policy 10.1.1.6 - Continue to encourage the development of high wage, high skill, long term job creation in the County. Goal 1210.2: Diversify the year round economy and establish an economic and cultural climate that will allow St. Lucie County to effectively compete in the global economy. Objective 1210.2.1: Support efforts to diversify St. Lucie County’s economy and to make the county an effective competitor. Policy 1210.2.1.1 - Develop an area-wide land use plan that will increase opportunities for business and industry consistent with smart growth principles. Policy 1210.2.1.2 - Recruit businesses from the target industry sectors that will provide year-round employment opportunities. Policy 1210.2.1.3 - Identify locations for and encourage development of economic clusters for business and industry that would benefit from being located near related industries in the area as well as for other desired contributory business users with the potential for significant employment. Policy 1210.2.1.4 - Encourage the development of clusters of industries according to the adopted target industry list such as Manufacturing Facilities, Finance and Insurance, Information, Clean Energy, Professional, Scientific, and St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-13 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Technical Services, Management and Distribution, and Administrative and Support Servicesaerospace, aquaculture, research and development at appropriate locations in St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.2.1.5 - Prepare and maintain an inventory of incentives, business programs, and housing stock, and available sites to accommodate target industries, new businesses and business expansions in St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.2.1.6 - Support public/private partnerships and communications and provide for an atmosphere for international trade .and tourism to occur. Policy 1210.2.1.7 - Assist in the promotion, development and implementation of Foreign Trade Zone services in St. Lucie County. Policy 10.2.1.8 - The County shall participate in regional economic development activities including the Research Coast. Policy 10.2.1.9 – The County shall support green and renewable energy loan and grant programs to support development of related green businesses. Objective 1210.2.2: Establish procedures and tools to encourage business development and assist economic development in St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.2.2.1 - Establish a point person or inter-agency and inter-department permitting team whose purpose is to facilitate the movement of targeted economic development projects through the regulatory process. Policy 1210.2.2.2 - Establish a (toolbox) to assist developers and businesses in locating appropriate facilities for their needs and to provide all necessary statistical information to encourage outside investors to locate in St. Lucie County. Policy 12.10.2.2.3 – In cooperation with the Economic Development Council and the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce, assist in implementation of the revised Vision for St. Lucie County.-Promote and encourage the implementation of the Treasure Coast and the St. Lucie County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Policy 10.2.2.4- Monitor the following indicators of economic and business success in the County: Identify for-profit status, which cluster the business supports, salaries, number of employees, and related higher learning programs needed to support the business of new and existing businesses. Utilize a GIS-based system to track clustering and examining the location of related businesses. Recruitment of employees from local colleges and universities. Long term financial value of incentives. Jobs/housing balance. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-14 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Objective 1210.2.3: Encourage the provision of appropriate educational opportunities, programs, and facilities to meet business and industry needs. Policy 1210.2.3.1 - Encourage the development of more vocational programs to meet business and industry needs. Policy 1210.2.3.2 - Encourage the cultivation of education/business partnerships to develop education and training support programs that will benefit businesses and employees. Policy 1210.2.3.3 - Encourage education and training programs that encourage high-tech, and research and development businesses and industry to locate in St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.2.3.4 - Encourage and support research and development opportunities provided by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, USDA laboratory, IFAS, Smithsonian Institution, FAU, and University of Florida, to encourage and enhance clustering of high tech industry, and to support the expansion of manufacturing, agriculture/aquaculture, marine and tourism industries in St. Lucie County. Policy 10.2.3.5 - Promote and identify internships, apprenticeships and training for green sector jobs through St. Lucie School District magnet programs, the colleges and universities, and green technology companies. Objective 1210.2.4: Assist the agency charged with the marketing and promotion of St. Lucie County in the development and implementation of marketing efforts. Policy 1210.2.4.1 - Assist in marketing St. Lucie County as a location with opportunities for business location, relocation, or expansion, including international trade. Policy 1210.2.4.2 - Increase cooperation between public agencies and private organizations to present a unified positive image of St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.2.4.3 - Encourage the provision of executive style housing to attract companies which employ high skill, high wage workers. Objective 10.2.5: The County shall through economic development projects encourage diversification of the tax base to further support long-term investment in County quality of life. Policy 10.2.5.1 – The County shall encourage appropriate investments that result in beneficial property values for non-residential and residential properties. Policy 10.2.5.2 – The County shall ensure support economic development activities that encourage growth in non-residential development resulting in the creation of long term commercial and industrial targeted industry jobs together with comprehensive increases in assessed valuations and ad valorem tax receipts for non-residential development. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-15 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 Goal 1210.3: Expand agricultural activities, and maintain a sufficient agricultural land base to increase the sustainability, expansion, and diversification of agricultural activities throughout St. Lucie County. Objective 1210.3.1: Increase and diversify the agricultural economic base. Policy 1210.3.1.1 - Develop specialty foods, farmers market products, and food processing industries to increase and diversify the agricultural economic base. Policy 1210.3.1.2 - Encourage, maintain, and expand industries, such as the equine industry and aquaculture industry, to increase and diversify the agricultural economic base. Policy 1210.3.1.3 - Encourage and support agricultural and aquaculture research and education programs and development activities. Policy 10.3.1.4 - Support the development and production of biofuels and related clean energy technology activities in the County. Policy 10.3.1.5 - Continue to establish grant opportunities for the sustainable re- use of agriculture land. Find a means of achieving continued bone fide agriculture operations through innovative land use alternatives such as transfer of development rights and cultivation of alternative energy forms. Goal 1210.4: Maintain and expand the tourism sector of St. Lucie County's economy. Objective 1210.4.1: Maintain and improve existing features that contribute to the attraction of tourists. Policy 1210.4.1.1 - Protect St. Lucie County's natural resources and countryside to ensure their continued existence for the benefit and enjoyment of future residents and visitors. Policy 1210.4.1.2 - Protect and reuse St. Lucie County's historic sites and buildings to preserve its heritage, promote economic development, enhance quality of life, and add to the tourist experience. Policy 1210.4.1.3 - Support local initiatives to preserve St. Lucie County's art, architecture, natural and cultural heritage. Policy 10.4.1.4 - Promote the expansion of eco-tourism and encouraging existing and new hotels to participate in the Florida Green Lodging Program. Objective 1210.4.2: Initiate marketing efforts and seek new opportunities to promote tourism. Policy 1210.4.2.1 - Market St. Lucie County as a vacation destination with, multiple outdoor recreation and natural resources, historic sites, cultural activities and facilities. Policy 1210.4.2.2 - Promote cooperative efforts between public agencies and private organizations to present a unified positive image of St. Lucie County. Policy 1210.4.2.3 - Develop ecotourism opportunities to help extend the tourist season in St. Lucie County, help sustain large areas of open space, preserve St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-16 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 natural habitat, discourage sprawling, low density development, and broaden the economic base. Policy 1210.4.2.4 - Promote and market entertainment and sports activities in St. Lucie County domestically and internationally to increase the County’s tourism market. Policy 1210.4.2.5 - Encourage and strengthen the role of sports activities in the economic development by attracting and soliciting amateur and professional regional multi-sports events., including regional equestrian competitions and sports fishing tournaments, throughout the county. Policy 1210.4.2.6 - Encourage and strengthen the role of the arts in economic development by attracting and accommodating amateur and professional arts events and businesses throughout the county. Policy 10.4.2.7 – The County shall in cooperation with Visit Florida monitor the origination of domestic and international tourists in cooperation with Visit Florida to determine in which areas marketing should be focused. Policy 10.4.2.8 - Pursue international partnerships that promote cultural exchanges and encourage international visitors to stay and play in St. Lucie County. Goal 1210.5: Encourage patterns of development that are less costly to provide with public services and facilities, and encourage the redevelopment and revitalization of older residential, industrial, and commercial areas. Objective 1210.5.1: Promote patterns of development that allow public services and facilities to be provided more cost-effectively. Policy 1210.5.1.1 - Encourage the use of compact, mixed-use development. Policy 1210.5.1.2 - Coordinate land use planning and the provision of public facilities. Policy 1210.5.1.3 -– Continue to provide expedited review of development applications for economic development projects. Simplify and shorten the review and approval process while ensuring that the public health, safety, and welfare are not compromised. Policy 10.5.1.4 – Establish a site plan pre-approval program for industrial and commercial development by 2012. Policy 1210.5.1.45- Develop and utilize appropriate business incentive programs that will attract outside businesses and assist in the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Goal 1210.6: Improve infrastructure linkages throughout St. Lucie County. Objective 1210.6.1: Encourage and support improved infrastructure linkages between business centers, educational facilities, and residents. Policy 1210.6.1.1 - Improve transportation opportunities throughout St. Lucie St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-17 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010 County in order to provide improved access to industry and commercial locations for other businesses and the labor force, and provide easier access to educational facilities. Policy 1210.6.1.2 - Improve and expand the water and sewer system to allow for adequate capacity for future economic growth. Policy 1210.6.1.3 - Expand the water and sewer system to encompass all industrial and commercial land use areas located within the urban service area and utilize grant funds when available. Policy 1210.6.1.4 - Encourage and improve the use of the St. Lucie County International Airport as a first class general aviation facility, to improve safety for existing and new flight training facilities, to improve access for business and industry, to improve access for residents, and to encourage outside investors to locate in the area. Policy 10.6.1.5 – Through implementation of the Airport Master Plan, promote the expansion of commercial aviation service. St. Lucie County Comprehensive Plan 10-18 Economic Development Element EAR-based Amendments Adopted October 26, 2010