Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-08-14RESOLUTION NO. R-08-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR PROTECTION OF PROTECTED ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES IN REVIEW OF LAND CLEARING ACTIVITIES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City is home to a number of protected animal and plant species; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City to provide good stewardship of the habitat for these species within the framework of an urban environment; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows: Section 1. GUIDELINES ADOPTED. The City Council hereby adopts the following guidelines for review of land clearing activities within the City of Sebastian: I. Before any clearing may begin, the property owner must apply to the City for a "Nuisance Abatement" permit and inspection by the City's Growth Management Department. Nothing within these guidelines, including the issuance of a "Nuisance Abatement" permit, shall authorize activity constituting a "taking" of a protected plant or animal species. II. Clearing on the parcels covered in the City of Sebastian Area-wide Habitat Conservation Plan should not occur during the Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) nesting season. Typically nesting season is March l~ to June 30th but may vary slightly from year to year. III. If the lot is inhabited by gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) or other state or federally listed species, a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be required. IV. In remedying a nuisance, overgrowth shall be'cut back a distance of five feet from the property line unless the Growth Management Department determines that a lesser amount is required to safeguard protected plant and animal species. The Growth Management Department may also require that the homeowner protect plant species like sand oak or scrub oak for the benefit of wildlife. V. The penalty is $250 for each violation of this section. Section 2. CONFLICT. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption. The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Councilmember Neglia .The motion was seconded by Councilmember Paternoster and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Mayor Andrea Coy yes Vice-mayor Sal Neglia yes Councilmember Al Paternoster yes Councilmember Dale Simchick yes Councilmember Eugene Wolff yes The Mayor thereupon declared this resolution duly passed and adopted this 27a' day of August, 2008. CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA By: Mayor Andrea Coy ATTEST: ,~ '~ Sally A. Ma' , MMC City Clerk Approved as to form and legality for reliance by the City of Sebastian: Rich Stringer, ity orney