EAC Agenda 01/07/1987 ATTACHMENT 1 : Staff Report for
R-86-27C.
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (NRMD)
STAFF REPORT
FOR EAC MEETING 01/07/87
Petition: R-86-27C; Kris A. Dane, Coastal Engineering Consultants,
Inc. , representing Crown Pointe c/o Marvin Robinson;
requesting a zoning change from A-2 to PUD (Crown Pointe) .
• Considerations:
The site under consideration is about 81.5 acres, located on the
northern side and adjacent to Davis Blvd. , approximately 2000' west of
County Barn Road. The area was inspected on December 19, 1986, by Dr.
Brandt Henningsen (NRMD) , James N. Burch (NRMD) , and Steve Wander
(Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc. , Naples, Florida) . This area is
(_ bordered to the north and east by undeveloped pine flatwoods, to the
south by pine flatwoods and the Loch Louise residential development
(under construction) , and to the west by agricultural areas and
residential subdivisions.
The northern one-third of the area has been selectively cleared in
the past and is presently a prairie community dominated by various
grasses. Occasional arborescents (slash pine, Pinus elliottii var.
densa, 4-14" DBH) remain in the area, and some secondary growth of
shrub types has occurred (e.g. , Brazilian pepper [Schinus
terebinthifolius] , wax myrtle [Myrica cerifera]) . Another small area
(ca. , 4.0 acres) in the northwestern corner is presently involved with
agricultural activity.
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EAC Meeting 01/07/87
Page 2
The remainder of the property is mostly pine woodland with sparse
graminoid ground cover; an incomplete shrub layer, mostly saw palmetto
(Serenoa repens) , is scattered throughout the community. Invasion by
exotics, such as cajeput (Melaleuca quinquenervia) , Brazilian pepper
(Schinus terebinthefolius) , and downy rosemyrtle (Rhodomyrtus
tomentosus) , is evident but not extensive. The southeastern part of the
area is slightly lower in elevation, supporting a cypress/pine
transitional area; one fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) was noted.
The southeastern area contains species more typical of wetland areas,
such as: dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) , mulberry (Morns sp.) , swamp fern
(Blechnum serrulatum) , and butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) . In
the center of this transition area is a small wetland head with cypress
(Taxodium distichum) to about 15" DBH and occasional large pines to about
12" DBH. Ground cover and understory species typical of wet areas are
most common here; e.g. swamp fern, buttonbush (Cephalanthus
occidentalis) , strangler fig (Ficus aurea) , sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) ,
sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) , and occasional Brazilian pepper.
Epiphytes are common but not abundant in the cypress head and surrounding
area; various air plants occur here: Tillandsia balbisiana, T.
fasciculata, T. recurvata,T. utriculata, T. paucifolia.
The southwestern corner of the property is slightly more elevated
and contains a pine woodland community with dense saw palmetto
throughout the central area. The open areas support a more diverse
p.s
Staff Report
EAC Meeting 01/07/87
Page 3
ISI
understory community, including gallberry (Ilex glabra) , buckthorn
(Bumelia reclinata) , dog apple (Asimina sp.) , swamp fern, penny royal
(Piloblephis rigida) , cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco) , and greenbriar
(Smilax auriculata) .
Recommendations
Inspection of the proposed plans of development for this area
indicates that at the proposed density and distribution of lots, very
little existing biotic community will remain; the proposed amount of
land clearing (estimated at greater than. 95%) is of concern to NRMD. Mr.
Wander, the petitioner's agent, has indicated that the developer's
interests include developing the area in a manner that is in keeping with
neighboring areas. Many of these areas have been developed by the same
company with the intent of maintaining as many existing native trees as is
possible. The petitioner should investigate designs to reduce the
overall impact of the project on the site's environmental resources.
Some of the peripheral areas are indicated as buffer zones, and some
areas on the margins of the proposed lakes appear to be impractical as
building sites. These areas may be used as small but suitable preserve
areas for native species; NRMD suggests the petitioner consider using
these areas as refugia maintained with existing native species. The
proposed wetland preserve area adjoining the central lake will serve well
as a small wetland refugium. Any possible extensions of this refuge area
into the proposed lake area should be considered.
Staff Report
` EAC Meeting 01/07/87
Page 4
It is suggested that the developer allow the individual lot owners
to plan and execute land clearing on an individual basis, in the hopes
that less habitat will be destroyed. In this way, individual owners may
selectively clear'for homesites and produce landscape designs that will
leave as much naturally occurring woodland area as possible.
With the above points in mind, NRMD recommends approval of petition
R-86-27C with the following stipulations:
1-4. Standard stipulations 1-4.
5. Petitioner will be subject to Ordinance 75-21 (or the tree/
C, vegetation removal ordinance in existence at the time of
permitting), requiring the acquisition of a tree removal permit
prior to any land clearing.
6. The petitioner should investigate project designs to reduce
the amount of land clearing necessary for land development.
7. Petitioner should, whenever practical, save for transplant
as landscape elements, any native plant specimens (e.g. , sabal
palm, dahoon holly, wax myrtle, etc.) that are found within the
areas proposed for lake or road construction, or any other areas
proposed to be cleared. Likewise, epiphytes (Tillandsia spp. ,
orchids, or strangler figs) should be considered for transplant onto
trees in similar, habitable conditions that are safe from
(yam distruction.
Reviewed by: , '7`/ r'✓.470' rGl C•/7 tte:
Prepared by: At-7-21th fi e ' te: 487
ATTACHMENT 2 : EAC Minutes for
R-86-27C (1/7/87)
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
JANUARY 7, 1987
PETITION R-86-27C; KRIS A. DANE, COASTAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS,
INC. , REPRESENTING CROWN POINTE C/O MARVIN ROBINSON: REQUESTING A
ZONING CHANGE FROM A-2 TO PUD (CROWN POINTE) -- RECOMMENDED FOR -
APPROVAL SUBJECT TO STIPULATIONS
Natural Resources Management Specialist Burch advised that
the subject property is approximately 82 acres located on the
south side and adjacent to Davis Blvd. , approximately 2,000 feet
west of County Barn Road. He stated a site inspection was con-
ducted on December 19, 1986 .
Mr. Burch stated the northern one-third of the property has
been selectively cleared in the past and is currently a prairie
community dominated by various grasses and secondary growth of
shrubs. He said the southeastern part of the area is slightly
lower in elevation, supporting a cypress/pine transitional
area, noting that orchids are common, but not abundant, in the
cypress head and surrounding area; the southwestern corner of the
property is slightly higher elevated and contains a pine woodland
community with dense saw palmettos.
Mr. Burch stated that staff is suggesting that all construc-
tion take place outside of the wetland area; the banks of the
proposed lakes be at a 4 to 1 pitch to benefit wildlife; and that
the landscape elements be transplanted. Assistant Natural
Resources Management Director Henningsen stated that since this is a
very dense development, surrounded by other dense developments, and
the area will be a component of a larger flow-through water mana-
gement scheme with other independent developers, that a prelimi-
nary site review be submitted to NRMD prior to the final review.
Kris Dane, Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc. , stated that
the developer intends to clear only the lake areas and the lots - •
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•
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL JANUARY 7, 1987
will be sold to individual builders. He said that at that time -
clearing and landscaping of the lots will be up to the individual
owners. He suggested that the developer, during the clearing for
the lake and roads, that the transplanting be done in the wetland
area. He stated that there will be a lot of clearing because the
developments will be primarily single-family units. Mr. Dane
stated that the wetlands will interact with: the lake by berming
or a direct connection to the water management system.
Staff Engineer Mellen stated that the area is totally
controlled by the weir at the southwest corner of Loch Louise.
He said the wetlands are at a lower level than found with individual
projects because of the need to serve the properties north of
Davis Blvd. He said it should be treated like a perched wetlands
and treated separately from the flow-through lake system which
goes into Loch Louise.
Dr. Benedict moved, seconded by Mr. Cardillo, that Petition -
R-86-27C, Crown Pointe, requesting a zoning change from A-2 to
PUD recommended for approval subject to the following stipulations:
1. A site clearing plan shall be submitted to the Natural
Resources Management Department and the Community Development
Division for their review and approval prior to any substan-
tial work on the site. This plan may be submitted in phases
.-� to coincide with the development schedule. The site clearing
plan shall clearly depict how the final site layout incor-
porates retained native vegetation to the maximum extent
possible and how roads, buildings, lakes, parking lots, and
other facilities have been oriented to accommodate this goal.
2. Native species shall be utilized, where available, to the
maximum extent possible in the site landscaping design. A
landscaping plan will be submitted to the Natural Resources
Management Department and the Community Development Division
for their review and approval. This plan will depict the
incorporation of native species and their mix with other spe-
cies, if any. The goal of site landscaping shall be the re-
creation of native vegetation and habitat characteristics
lost on the site during construction or due to past
activities.
3. All exotic plants, as defined in the County Code, shall be
removed during each phase of construction from development •
areas, open space areas, and preserve areas. Following site
development a maintenance program shall be implemented to
prevent reinvasion of control techniques and inspection
intervals, shall be filed with and approved by the Natural •
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL JANUARY 7 , 1987
Resources Management Department and the Community Development
Division.
4. If, during the course of site clearing, excavation, or other
constructional activities, an archaeological or historical
site, artifact, or other indicator is discovered, all deve •
-
lopment at that location shall be immediately stopped and the
Natural Resources Management Department notified.
Development will be suspended for a sufficient length of time
to enable the Natural Resources Management Department or a
designated consultant to assess the find and determine the
proper course of action in regard to its salvageability. The
Natural Resources Management Department will respond to any
such notification in a timely and efficient manner so as to
provide only a minimal interruption to any constructional
activities.
5. Petitioner will be subject to Ordinance 75-1 (or the _
tree/vegetation removal ordinance in existence at the time of
permitting) , requiring the acquisition of a tree removal per-
mit prior to any land clearing. -
6. The petitioner should investigate project designs to reduce
the amount of land clearing necessary for land development.
7 . Petitioner should, whenever practical, save for transplant as
"- landscape elements, any native plant specimens (e.g. , sabal
palm, dahoon holly, wax myrtle, etc. ) that are found within
the areas proposed for lake or road construction, or any
other areas proposed to be cleared. Likewise, epiphytes
(Tillandsia ssp. , orchids, or strangler figs) should be con-
sidered for transplant onto trees in similar, habitable con-
ditions that are safe from destruction.
8. Natural Resources Management Department and the developer
will work, during final site development planning, to insure
proper treatment of the wetland preserve with respect to the
lake and other aspects of the water management design.
9 . Side slopes of lakes shall be at least four to one out to a
depth of 3 feet from mean low water.
Upon roll call, the motion carried 3/1 as follows:
Dr. Benedict Aye
Mr. Cardillo Aye
Mr. Below Aye
Mr. Link Abstained (Conflict of interest
- form filed)
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