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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02062007 EBlliY OFTi • S~ ,_ ~~N -~. HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007 - 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Chair Adams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Ms. Adams Mr. Slattery Ms. Powers Ms. Simchick Ms. Beckwith Absent: Mr. Birchmeyer (unexcused) Ms. Yanchis (excused) Also Present: Graham Cox, National Audobon Society, New York Sal Neglia, Council Member Margie Reynolds, Environmental Planner Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 9, 2007 Meeting Ms. Reynolds questioned the receipt for tortoises mentioned under item 6A. The Recording Secretary offered to obtain clarification and bring the minutes back to the Committee for approval. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 1 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee February 6, 2007 Page Two Ms. Adams stated as new protection measures are being developed by the state, take permits are still being issued. She recommended asking Council for an ordinance to ban the entombment of the turtles. Mr. Neglia suggested making a presentation to Council to ask the attorney to draft language. Ms. Adams reminded them that the developer will trap the turtle, pen it, grub and fill the lot and then let the turtle go on the same lot. Ms. Reynolds pointed out that the City has an ordinance on the books protecting all endangered species, habitat and their food. She distributed Code Section 54- 3-11.5 which covers commercial and large scale developments. She explained that she inspects individual scattered family lots and she would like single family lots with a burrow require a 25 foot perimeter silt fence around the burrow, and hand-clearing of pepper trees near the burrow. The Planner said there is a training program available through Ray Ashton, Ashton Biodiversity Research Institute who has offered to come to Sebastian to hold a 3-day program for some of the public works folks. The Planner would like to remove the code section stating if the presence of tortoises is noticed, the applicant should contact the state of Florida. She explained that she visited every city park for possible relocation sites and distributed a list indicating favorable parks. Ms. Adams would like to make sure a professional survey is done to support the tortoises and vacant city parcels are also considered as relocation sites. The City Attorney asked if the science has been developed to tell us what we need. Ms. Adams said there is science of how much acreage a tortoise needs, but supporting documentation is needed to back up the science. The Planner said an ordinance will not happen prior to FWC decision in June and she is concerned with property rights. She requested the members review the ordinance to beef it up and look at the parks for possible relocation sites. Side ll, Tape 1- 6:53 pm She said that she visited the buffer preserve but they will not allow relocated tortoises. Ms. Adams explained that any lands purchased with state or federal monies will not allow relocated tortoises. The City Attorney asked what if the tortoises are not the result of mitigation. Ms. Adams replied because it is in relation to a development it is a gray area. 2 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee February 6, 2007 Page Three The Planner stated she would look to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for assistance with setting up a relocation site. She stated the relocation site will have to be fenced to help tortoises rethink their homing instinct. She also said more scrub should be planted on parcel 17 for the jays. The Planner closed by asking members to review the ordinance and suggest modifications for better protection method. Ms. Adams said the Boy Scouts are continuing to put the drain markers in place. Ms. Simchick talked to Officer Poore who advised no wake zone signs are due to come in. Ms. Adams said she forwarded grant possibilities to the City Manager. The Planner asked Ms. Adams to forward the a-mail to her. 6. OLD BUSINESS A. Earth Day 2007 Ms. Adams distributed a draft flyer and a PowerPoint slide for channel 25 for Earth Day. Ms. Powers asked if birds really used birdhouses. The Planner said sparrows and songbirds will nest in houses. Multiple conversations followed. Ms. Adams said she has secured a band, pine cones, USFWS brochures. Ms. Beckwith was not able to secure any plants from the Fort Pierce Extension office but she would contact nurseries that Mr. Birchmeyer did not contact. Ms. Powers said she will contact churches to advertise in their bulletins; the Publix paper bag project is in progress; and advised the Eco-Troop has disbanded. The Planner said a sunny day is needed for pine cones to open up. Council Member Neglia has secured a $25.00 Wal-Mart gift card and some bird houses. It was suggested that decorated bird houses be hung in the stormwater park for kids to look for at a later date. The Planner offered to look for a feed store in Fellsmere for a possible bird seed donation. Council Member Neglia suggested using letterhead to request donations. Side 1, Tape 11- 7:40 p.m. 3 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee February 6, 2007 Page Four Ms. Adams asked for the theme for the flyer. The speakers will include: Janet Barger, a Committee Member, Beth Powell, some Master Gardeners, Bruce Dangerfield, Ilka Daniels, and FPL. Ms. Simchick offered to contact the Historical Society. Ms. Adams offered to make the flyer flashy. 7. SET NEXT AGENDA The members asked for a meeting on February 27th at 6:00 to continue planning. 8. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Approved at the '7~ ~ ~ 7 Regular Meeting e nette Williams, Recording Secretary 4 n ° ~ rn , ~ ~ ~ ~ c~ ~ . ,y., ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~' ~ ~ ~, -. ~ O .. ~ ~ ~ vo tD O ~ ~ o O ~ rn o v 0 ~ ~ ~. < ~ -• ~ ~ ~D ~ ~ ~ ~` ^^ O ~ O < ~ . N ~ V ~,/ ) _ I • O '.*. ^ ^ ~^ ~~ ~ ~ ~f ~ O ,~ 3 _ ~ C a '~ N o 0 n a ~ N ~ N o ~ y ~ Come Join Us For Sebastinn's First Annual Earth Day Celebration theme April 21, 2007 10:00 to 3:00 Riverview Pnrk Listen to speakers • Learn how to use less pesticides and herbicides on your lawn • Learn about Sebastian's wonderful natural resources including scrub- jays, bald eagles, gopher tortoises, etc. and what your City is doing to conserve them. Kids activities • Build bird houses • Make pine cone bird feeders • Build bat houses Displays • Busch Wildlife Center • Humane Society • List all participants ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION § 54-3-11.5 Sec. 543-11.6. Wildlife habitat preservation and protection of flora and fauna. Vegetative communities and wildlife habitats (particularly those identified as primary habitat for endangered or threatened species or species of special concern) which are deemed environmentally significant shall be protected from adverse impacts associated with develop- ment. Table VI-1: "Endangered, Threatened, and. Species of Special Concern by I3abitat" is contained within the comprehensive plan conservation element data inventory and analysis. This table identifies essential breeding, feeding or habitat sites for endangered or potentially endangered flora or fauna that shall be protected pursuant to the following regulations. Applicants for development, within any areas identified as refuge, breeding, feeding, or habitat areas of endangered or threatened species or apeciea of special concern shall prepare a habitat management plan which shall as a minimum comply with regulation in subsections (a), (b) and (c) below. (a) Critical habitat management plan required. Site plans and preliminary plats shall include a "critical habitat management plan" prepared by a professional biologist, ecologist, or other related professional. The plan shall ensure the protection of endangered and threatened flora and fauna as determined by the state or federal government. As a min;mum standard this plan shall analyze the following issues: (1) Identify the occurrences of designated species by a qualified ecologist; (2) Land needs td support continued on-site presence 'of the species; (3) Impacts of proposed development that will. disturb the species; (4) Management plans and measures necessary to protect the subject apeciea; (5) Coat to developer to implement the recommended management plan as approved. (b) Criteria for reviewing critical habitat plan. Development activities that have an adverse effect upon a designated species. shall require mitigation acceptable to the city or shall not_ be permitted. Viable (i.e., capable of living) habitat for endangered or threatened species or species of special concern occurring on a site shall be identified on the management plans as preservation areas. All development activities shall be prohibited within these preservation areas with the exception of recreational and educational uses where such uses shall not adversely affect such species. The city staff shall review the critical habitat management plan as well as the federal and/or state agencies having jurisdiction. The final development plan shall comply with directives of the federal and/or state or local agencies having jurisdiction and the most restrictive shall apply. (c) Incentives for reservation of conservation easements. The applicant and the city may negotiate a development agreement that ensures the preservation of habitats. Where the applicant agrees to dedicate a conservation easement embracing the identified habitats, the city reserves the right to provide for a transfer of density or intensity to adjacent lands under common ownership which are unencumbered by environmen- tally sensitive ecosystems. LDC11:16 § 543-11.6 SEBASTIAN LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE (d) Buy out alternative. If the applicant desires to develop a critical habitat, the city, with consent of agencies having jurisdiction, may allow the applicant to develop the critical habitat only if the applicant pays a fee in lieu of dedicating a conservation easement to preserve the critical habitat. However, any payment allowed in lieu of preservation must be sufficient to purchase equally sensitive habitat of similar or greater size. Such cash payment shall be placed in a special fund for future purchase or debt retirement from the purchase or mitigation of critical habitat. Sec. 54-3-11.6. Floodplain protection. Development of the floodplain (the A, AE, and VE zone on the FIRM maps) shall meet the floodplain management requirements in article XII, Surface Water Management, and article XIII, Flood Protection. Sec. 64-3-11.7. Hazardous waste storage and disposal. No hazardous wastes shall be stored or disposed of on wetlands. Similarly, no hazardous wastes shall be stored or disposed of on upland buffers pursuant to this article. Sec. 643-11.8. Conservation of potable water supply. The city shall assist in regulating development for purposes of complying with policies of the St. Johns River Water Management District directed toward conservation of potable water supply and to achieve a reduction in the current rates of water consumption. Therefore, development plans shall be required to comply Vvith the following potable water supply performance criteria: (1) If non-potable alternative sources of irrigation water are available, potable water supplies shall not be used to meet irrigation needs. (2) All new development shall be required to use water-saving plumbing fixtures. (3) In order to reduce demand for irrigation water (which in turn often places greater demand upon potable water sources), at least 50% of all landscaping material for commercial sites obtained from off-site sources for use on any site should be native plant material adapted to soil and climatic conditions existing on the subject site. Further, at least 50% of all trees used in landscaping shall be drought tolerant native species adapted to soil and climatic conditions existing on-site in order to lessen water demand. Sec. 54-3-11.9. Irrigation wells. Irrigation wells as regulated herein are defined as: Wells constructed for the obtaining of groundwater for the irrigation of lawns and landscaping, and whose size or capacity are below the thresholds for regulation by state agencies. For purposes of mitigating potential adverse impacts on land use caused by the construction of irrigation wells, the city shall require that any irrigation well installed within the city shall first obtain a permit for the irrigation well from the appropriate permitting agency. All irrigation wells shall be constructed by a water LDC11:16 SPECIALTY PARKS Barber Street Sports Complex: Baseball, Football, Soccer, Playground, Three Restrooms, Two Concession Stands & Skate Park. 22 Acres Friendship Park: Boys and Crirls Club, 4 Clay Tennis Courts, Playground, 2 Bocce Ball Courts, 4 Shuffleboard Courts, Walking Trail, 2 Picnic Pavilions and Baseball Field. 10 Acres S.J.R.W.M.D. Park: T Passive Park with large lakes and proposed walking trails. 163 Acres. Riverview Park: Veteran's Memorial, Splash Pad, Two Piers, Playground, Pavilions, Restrooms, Playground, Yacht Club Boat Ramp and Indian River Drive Walkway. 18 Acres Schumann Tennis Park Six Tennis Courts, Playground and Swing Set. 4 Acres Community Center Offers Different Recreation Classes. 1 Acre Airport and Golf Course T 581 Acres NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS Hardee Park: Walking Trail, Exercise Stations, Warm up Area, Lake and Restroom. 13 Acres. Blossom Park: Playground, Swing Set, Pond & Walking Trail. 2.5 Acres Easy St. Park: Playground, Pond and Walking Trail. 7 Acres Behind Chamber Building: Main Street Dock 1.36 Acres S. Wimbrow & Azine Ter.: T Undeveloped Park Area. 4.5 Acres S. Wimbrow & Keen Ter.: T Undeveloped Park Area 7.5 Acres NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS Historical Park: Small pond next to Railroad tracks. 2.48 Acres Schumann Lake Island: Small Boat ramp and bridge over lake to island. Lake 8 Acres & Island 28 Acres Barber St. & Acorn Ter.: Undeveloped Park Area. 3.80 Acres Bryant Court: Playground, benches and walking trail. 3.50 Acres Filbert St.: T Playground, benches, pavilion walking trail. 9 Acres Empress Dr. & Ormond Ct.: Undeveloped Park Area. 1.70 Acres George St. Park Walking trail, playground, picnic tables and benches. 2.27 Acres. Stonecrop St.: T Undeveloped Park Area borders south prong of Sebastian River 28 Acres Chelteham & Cownie Lake: Undeveloped Park Area with small pond 2.50 Acres North of Tracy Drive: Undeveloped Park Area. 33 Acres