§ 62-4344. Incentives for increased canopy and tree preservation and increased landscaping.

To encourage the preservation of canopy, protected trees and specimen trees, the following incentives are provided. Incentives shall not in any case be used to offset the requirements in subsection 62-4341(5) and section 62-4342 except as authorized in [subsection] (3)(d) of this section.

(1)

Tree preservation. A preserved/relocated native tree in excess of the minimum required under sections 62-4339, 62-4341, and 62-4342 that meets the standards below may be substituted for any of the trees required by the landscaping requirements of this section.

a.

Credit ratio: Preserved/relocated native trees shall be credited for required trees, pursuant to the following ratio:

DBH of Preserved/Relocated native tree	Preserved Tree Credit Ratio towards required trees	Relocated Tree Credit Ratio towards required trees
over 30"	16	8
25—30"	10	5
19—24"	8	4
13—18"	6	3
8—12"	4	2

 

b.

Trees ineligible for credit ratio: No credit shall be granted for trees:

1.

Defined as nonnative invasive plants per section 62-4332.

2.

Palms of any species.

3.

Dead, dying, diseased or insect infested.

4.

Damaged from improper pruning defined in section 62-4332.

5.

For preserved trees, where root protection zones have been impacted in conflict with section 62-4340.

6.

Where native understory, if present, has not been preserved within the root protection zone.

7.

For relocated trees, where relocation techniques have not been approved by NRMO as part of approved landscape plan.

(2)

For preservation of canopy greater than the minimum total canopy required for the land use and its associated root protection zone, a density bonus equal to 100 percent of the excess canopy preservation area shall be granted not to exceed 150 percent of the density assigned to the property. If other density transfers or bonuses are used in combination with this incentive, the overall density of the property shall not exceed 150 percent of that permitted by the zoning district.

(3)

Preservation of vegetation of special concern. In addition to credit for additional preservation of trees or canopy, landscaping credit may be accumulated for the preservation on the site of any of the following vegetation of special concern that is in a healthy condition:

a.

For each 100 square feet of land containing no dimension less than ten feet, that is predominately vegetated by rare, endangered or threatened plant species as listed in Volume 5, Plants, Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, University Presses of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, and as listed in F.S. § 581.185, the property owner shall receive 200 square feet of landscape credit for that class of vegetation. No species of Mangroves shall be eligible for points under this subsection.

b.

For each 100 square feet of vegetation classified as hardwood hammock, barrier island scrub, cypress domes or sand pine scrub associations preserved on the site, total tree planting requirements shall be reduced by five percent when the vegetative community is preserved intact; and the vegetative community preserved comprises an area of no less than 100 square feet with no dimension less than ten feet. Where the reduction includes replacement inches, each 100 square feet of preservation shall not exceed a value of 20 inches dbh replacement inches as required per subsection 62-4331(18).

c.

For each 100 square feet of vegetation classified as barrier island association preserved on the site, landward of the county coastal setback line, total landscaping requirements shall be reduced by five percent when the vegetative community is preserved intact and the vegetative community preserved comprises an area of no less than 100 square feet with no dimension less than ten feet. Where the reduction includes replacement inches, each 100 square feet of preservation shall not exceed a value of 20 inches dbh replacement inches as required per subsection 62-4331(18).

d.

For each 100 square feet of native vegetation preserved adjacent to a scenic vista or public roadway classified as arterial or collector, Type B, roadway buffer requirements may be waived for the equivalent area if the native vegetative community is preserved and maintained intact and the vegetative community preserved comprises an area of no less than 100 square feet with no dimension less than ten feet.

e.

If Mangroves do not presently exist on shorelines contiguous to estuarine waters and are planted on four-foot centers, the requirements for shrubs may be reduced accordingly. The minimum size of newly planted Mangroves shall be fully rooted three-gallon container plants with a minimum height of 15—18 inches.

(Ord. No. 06-55, § 15, 10-24-06; Ord. No. 08-01, § 13, 1-8-08; Ord. No. 09-24, § 11, 9-15-09)