Resolution 1997-459RESOLUTION 97- 459
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL CAMP INCLUDING
AIRBOAT TOURS, CONDITIONAL USE ~23" IN THE
"A" RURAL AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2.2.3 OF THE COLLIER
COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR PROPERTY
LOCATED IN SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 51 SOUTH,
RANGE 27 EAST, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Florida in Chapter
67-1246, Laws of Florida, and Chapter 125, Florida Statutes, has
conferred on Collier County the power to establish, coordinate and
enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for the
protection of the public; and
WHEREAS, the County pursuant thereto has adopted a Land
Development Code (Ordinance No. 91-102) which includes a
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance establishing regulations for the zoning
of particular geographic divisions of the County, among which is the
granting of Conditional Uses; and
WHEREAS, the Collier County Planning Commission, being the duly
appointed and constituted planning board for the area hereby affected,
has held a public hearing after notice as in said regulations made and
provided, and has considered the advisability of Conditional Use "23"
of Section 2.2.2.3 in an "A" Rural Agricultural zoning district for a
sporting and recreational camp including airboat tours, on the
property hereinafter described, and has found as a matter of fact
(Exhibit "A") that satisfactory provision and arrangement have been
m~de concerning all applicable matters required by said regulations
and in accordance with Subsection 2.7.4.4 of the Land Development Code
for the Collier County Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, all interested parties have been given opportunity to be
heard by this Board in a public meeting assembled and the Board having
considered all matters presented.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF ZONING APPE;%LS of
Collier County, Florida that:
The petition filed by Beau Keene, P.E., representing Jerry R.
Hooks and Catherine J. Boyette with respect to the property
hereinafter described as:
-1-
Exhibit "B" which is attached hereto and incorporated by
reference herein
be and the same is hereby approved for Conditional Use "23" of Section
2.2.2.3 of the "A" Rural Agricultural zoning district for a sporting
and recreational camp including airboat tours in accordance with the
Conceptual Master Plan (Exhibit "C") and subject to the following
conditions:
ao
The Planning Services Director may approve minor changes
in the location, siting, or height of buildings,
structures, and improvements authorized by this
conditional use. Expansion of the uses identified and
approved within this conditional use application, or
major changes to the site plan submitted as part of
th~s application, shall require the submittal of a new
conditional use application.
bo
Permits or letters of exemption from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and the South Florida Water Management
District shall be presented prior to final site
development plan apprcval.
Co
The building permit is subject to a forty-five (45) day
appeal period by the Florida Department of Community
Affairs.
do
Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy,
all exotic vegetation, as defined by County Code, shall
be removed from the area depicted on the Conceptual
Master Plan (Exhibit "C"). This area shall be
maintained free of exotic vegetation.
eo
At the time of private airboat tour operation
commencement, the Petitioner shall install and maintain
no trespassing signage along the entire property line
every 300~ yards. The entire property shall be utilized
specifically for commercial conservation/ecological
tours and exhibits.
The Petitioner shall utilize existing airboat trails in a
round trip method according to the proposed existing
trails identified on the aerial photograph submitted on
September 12, 1997.
The Petitioner shall assist and work with the applicable
state and federal agenries (i.e., U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission,
etc.) to prepare base-line environmental studies.
ho
The airboats shall only be equipped with non-aircraft
engines including spark arrestors and properly muffled
to reduce noise.
Airboats shall be limited to a maximum length of
sixteen (16) feet and no more than six (6) people
aboard, excluding the pilot.
J. No more than four (4) airboats shall be permitted to
operate at this site, at any one time.
-2-
l A21111
The alligator farm shall be utilized for exhibit
purposes only. No commercial farming of alligators or
crocodiles shall be permitted. Only native Florida
species of crocodilians shall be permitted on the
subject property.
Airboats shall only be permitted to operate during
daylight hours, one hour after sunrise to one hour
before sunset.
mo
One year from the date of the Conditional Use approval
(December 9, 1998), the Board of Zoning Appeals
will reevaluate this Conditional Use and if found to be
abusive or detrimental to the environment, and no steps
were taken to correct the problem, then the BZA has the
ability to eliminate the Conditional Use.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be recorded in the
minutes of this Board.
This Resolution adopted after motion, second and majority vote.
Done this j//v~ day of -/3~-/~ ., 1997.
_.ATTEST: ' * 'c
'j DWIGHT E, BR0C-K~ Clerk
· Approved ~""
as .t~ 'Form and
Legal* Sufff~ency:
MarJSrie M. Student
Assistant County Attorney
f/C0-97-17 ~'~ZSOLt,'T I OW
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
TImOthY ~ HANCOCK, Chairman
-3-
1.3A q
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
1. Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
2. Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other property
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
A. Consistency with the Land Development Code and Growth
Management Plan: ~/
Yes __No --
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed structures
thereon with particular reference to automotive and
pedestrian safety and convenience, traffic flow and
control, and access in case of fire or catastrophe:
Adequate ingres9 & egress
Yes ~-' No
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to noise,
glare, ecgnomic or odor effects:-
~' No affect or Affect mitigated by .
Affect cannot be mitigated
D. Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatible use withi~district
Yes ~__~__No .
Based on the above finding s ' hal use should, with
stipulations, (copy attach~be recommended for
approval ~
~/CU-~-].T ~lDZg~2 Or FACT
"EXHIBIT "A"
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
1. Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other property
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
ao
Consistency with the Land Development Code and
Growth Management Plan:
Yes ,,, No X
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed
structures thereon with particular reference to
automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience,
traffic flow and control, and access in case of fire or
catastrophe:
Adequate ingress & egress
Yes No ~
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to n~isc,
glare, economic or odor effects:
No affect or Affect mitigated by
-- ,~_ Affect cannot be mitigated
D. Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatible use within district
Yes No ~
Based on the above findings, this condiZ, i~na! use should, with
stipulations, (copy attached)~-~culd not)'~e~recommended for
approval
DATE: ///_ _..:..n~ . ~' -/' ME:~BER:
i'/CU-9?-17 FI.'~D~NG OF FACT MEMBER/
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
1. Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other property
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
ao
Consistency with the Land Development Code and
Growth Management P~No
Yes
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed
structures thereon with particular reference to
automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience,
traffic flow and control, and access in case of fire or
catastrophe:
Adequate ingress & ?~ess
Yes ~/ No
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to noise,
glare, ecpnomic or odor effects:
~ No affect or Affect mitigated by
Affect cannot be mitigated
Do
Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatibleyes us~thinNo district
Based on the above findings, this conditional use should, with
stiDula~ions, (copy attached) (should not)be r/ecommended for
DATE://-- ~ -~_.~
f/~-97-1~ F~IN~ OF FA~ M~B£R/
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
1o Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other propezty
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
Consistency with the Land Development Code and
Growth Management ~:
Yes No
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed
structures thereon with particular reference to
automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience,
traffic flow and control, and access in case of fire or
catastrophe:
Adequate ingress & e/~fess
Yes ~'No
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to L]uisc,
glare, e~omic or odor effects:
w'No affect or Affect mitigated by
Affect cannot be mitigated
Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatible use w~j.~hin district
Yes w- ~;o
Based on the above findings,
(copy attached)
this conditional use should,/w~th
(should not) be recomme~d~yor
MEMBER:~
f/CU-97-17 PINDING OF PACT MEMBER/
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
o
Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other prope~y
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
ao
Consistency with the La~ Development Code and
Growth Management Pla~f.
Yes _~__~No
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed
strucuures thereon with particular reference to
automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience,
traffic flow and control, and access in case of fire or
catastrophe:
Adequate ingress & eg,~,~ss
Yes ~/No
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to nt:~:;c,
glare, economic or odor effects: ~-~---_~//~/'/~(/~Z-
__ No affect or __ Affect mitigated by
__ Affect cannot be mitigated
D. Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatible use w~ithin district
Yes %/' No
Based on the above findings, this conditio~~ho~th
stipulations,~(co~y attached)(should ~/~, ~.~/~or
approval ~~~__ . ER~/~
DATE:~ ME~I -
f/CU-97-17 FINDING OF FACT. MEMBER~
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLA_NNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other property
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
Consistency with the Land Development Code and
Growth Management,~t~lan:
Yes No
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed
structures thereon with particular reference tu
automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience,
traffic flow and control, and access in case of fire or
catastrophe:
Adequate ingress &Negress
Yes -- No
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to noise,
glare'~economic or odor effects:
No affect or __Affect mitigated by
Affect cannot be mitigated
Do
Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatible us~ within district
Yes ~ No
Based on the above findings, this conditional use should, with
stipulations, . . be recommended for
approval ~
DATE:~__ ME~V~
f/CU-97-1~ FINDING OF FACT M£MBZR/
FINDING OF FACT
BY
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PETITION
FOR
CU-97-17
The following facts are found:
1. Section 2.2.2.3.23 of the Land Development Code authorized
the conditional use.
2. Granting the conditional use will not adversely affect the
public interest and will not adversely affect other property
or uses in the same district or neighborhood because of:
A.Consistency with the Land Development Code and
Growth Management Plan:
Yes ~,/ No
B. Ingress and egress to property and proposed
structures thereon with particular reference to
automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience,
traffic flow and control, and access in case of fire or
catastrophe:
Adequate ingress & egress
Yes ~ / No
C. Affects neighboring properties in relation to noise,
glare, economic or odor effects:
_____~ No affect or Affect mitigated by
Affect cannot be mitigated
D. Compatibility with adjacent properties and other
property in the district:
Compatible use within district
Yes ~No
Based on ~he above findings, th~~ditional use should, with
stipulations, (copy attached)<(s~ho~3_d.)not) be recommended for
approval ~ . ~ ,
f/C~-97-17 FINDING OF FACT MEMBER/
SECTION 36
TOWNSHIP 51 SOUTH, RANGE 27 EAST
ALLLANDS LYING SOUTH &: WEST OF US-41
CONTAINING 194-1- ACRES
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
-- Exh£b~t "B"
13A2 ' '
(2oc
N
~t
~~ J
EXHIBIT
United States Dep ent of the Interi6r
3~,0 Toll~te Blvd., Su. 30
N~l~s. FI.. 34114
Oc~bcr 23, 1997
CamdJtim~ Use Pe~Ltt~m ~"'~-97-17
WI~ D~ccr ~ Tcur~ m~d ,~lg~Ia~ F~'m
Sectkm 3~3, Towmh~ il ~ ~ 2'/~
2
Th,v~ you for siring me the c~~ to coum,m~ on tlxc above development pelilion. ~e
~sed v~c is I~z~ ~j~t to Tm ~o~ ~1~ N~o~ ~l~e ~
B~e ~e v~e ~y ~ve ~ ~t on ~e ~ge, I wou~ ~gl~t ~c foll~ng c~o~:
1. The venm~'s ~boat ~5c shoul~ m~in s dist.~zu:e ora: lezn 50 ~ from :he bouzui~
of:he refuge. A.uy closer wavel would ~ bir~ ~a: ~re on :he refuge close to ~m vmm~'s
bounds.. Birds or o~hcr ~m~ on :he refuse should not be d~=bed by :he vent~u'e's
2. In reference to the alli~or ~ w~ hzvc a concern abou~ exotic., alien species fl~ may be
r~ed or cared for ~ Ge Iota=cm. ~ n~y esc~c fi'om :he f~cili~y or z hurric~mc/n~jor
~ evem may disperse animab fi'om the faciliv/. These IZ~nab may find :h=e way omo :he
refuge a~d cause problems. I wo~ld recomrncnd ',&a~ only native, endemic spc~ies be raised.
A~ain tl~nk you for :he opporu~/to commcnt. Ple~e ccn~ct mc if you have my questions,
(~41) 353- 8442, ext 27.
Jim Krakowski
Re~ge l~mag ~r
.
P.4
L
P~.tt*,lou No, z
rarvh'~nmental Consultant:
Couditiou~ Uoo Poth~n No. CU-97-17 /
8pectd Trutment Permit No. ST-97-1
Tho ,ut~oct ~ h · ~~ ~hap~d parcel ofhnd locstod on tho ~ ddo
of U.S. 41, iznmahtu~ mst of Collie' Seminole St&te Paflt in Soc~on 36,
A-ACSC/ST ~ Strud Sine Forut) Undev~oped
E.O.~'. IJ.S. 41
8 - CON--ACSC/ST (Tm~ ~ lslan~ Undm~loped
CON-ST (Collier Semioob Smo Park) Dev~oped ptrk site
~K~ Meeting Nov~nber 5, I~
C[~-I'//~T-~7-I (Wind Duces' Airboat Tours sad AI]i~ltor Farm)
13A 2'
Water Ma~a~n~nt:
W'm~l Dane~ Airbo~ To~-s and Alll~tor ltarm Con~flonal Use M~ster Plan,
by Co, er C,o~ty Plm~ng Sen4~ on Octobsr 22, I~97.
W'md ~ Airbo~ To~'s and Al~xtor Farm ~o~al Us~ Mastm' Plan.
~rmd D~cer Aieoo~ Tours Tla~ and ~ Sp~e~ $urwy, ~
$en4ces on S~pt~nt~ 12, 1~'/.
STAFI~ CO~:
Water Managtm~nt=
TI~ a~lica~ is r~tucst~ t co~ona] u~e ~ atrbo~ to~' operations on s
This petition result~ ~tom a Code ~ action. A con~ wu r~iv.d
b~ th. Code ~ ~ rsssrd~ns uni~edt~ sldxm tour
oper~o~ and a ~ wss ]~dd on Angust $, 1~ ~ tl~ psttttoner snd
fa~t r~uir~ r~rdl~ of' wlmher sit~ ~ ~ ma~ ~
NOV.t?
13A
2
Meeting Nevemb~ ~, 1~7
Cq~-~T-17/ST-~'.I OYlud Dan~m- AL'boat Tours and Alllpter Farm)
3
re~rutio~ usa wu occu.~n~ on the property. ~ ~ Notice of Vkdation
was s~ved, wt~ the stipu~ ~ sa s~pll~s~on fo~ & Condi6on~i Us~ be
The subje~ I~q~rt7 ~ ~ a salt wm' mmh wire ~ t~ ~ of
~ and ~abbap pabn. A borrow pit and uplana spoil area ara sleo ~
on tbe pn~m, t7 aa'jao~ to U.S. 41. The folknvi3~ is, d~ of tho sit, as
~ tn the ~ =xl End~ntar~ Spe~e, Su,~e/~a' Wind D~' Atdx~
Tours,
A tk~ten~ ~l endeared spe~i~ surv~ of ~ prop~ty wu cx~d dur~
(0~0-1000), n~ay (tloo.:~oo) ~ hto. d~ (t~oo-~soo) tune peod~ An
and ,ti~na~ observadon polats wet. uu:]iz=d for the surw~. List~
KAB Meeting November $, 1997
~'U.9'I. tT/~T-97- 1 (Wind Dnac~r Alrbo&t Tours and Allisator
Pa~e 4
wild]de spec'les ideatified on site includa saow~ c~'ct, E~r~t~a thula, ~e b~
~t it. Two ~cs of ~ pl~ (~l~a) ~ o~ on ~e ~.
Bo~ ~ ~e ~st~ ~ ~o ~te of~a ~Y duo to ~d~ ~
A compile 5~ o~ pl~ ~d ~m~s id~ on site is f~ ~ ~e ~~
any one time.
~oti.~caxion I~'tsrs were mailed on October 10, 1997 to t~ mana~ of~ Tm
~m~nand Talnnd~ Nat;on~ ~ife ~Se, CoH;~ ~ie StYe P~ ~
Pi~e S~ 5~te F~ W~m m~ w~ ~ on ~ 24,
~o~'~ I~.
Staff r~commends appro~l of Conditional Usa Petition No. CU-97-17 I Special
Treatment Permit No. ST-9'/-I, "Wind Dancer Airbott Tows sad Alas=tot l~srm"
with the followin8 ~Fulatio~:
EAB IV'dm/nS Noytmber ~, 19Y7
CU-YT.I?/ST-97-1 (Wind Dtncrr Atrt)ott Toun tnd AJUptor Fsr~n)
13A
2
CU-97-17/ST-97-1 (Wind Dtncer Alrboat Tou~ smd Alllptor Farm)
DATI~
DATI~
~ ~BY:
United S~ates Department of the Interi~
Ten ~~ ~ N~ ~fl~ ~c'
3~ To~ BI~ S~ 30
N~I~ ~ 34114
13A
2
! ~
Nph,FL 33942
~ ~ you for tho opp~/to commeut, l, leuo cozmtc'~ me tf you~v,~ ~7 ques~om.
(941) 3~3- 8,.2. ext 27.
!3A 2
November 20, 1997
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Put a parking lot in instead of how many -- how
~any residential units would there be? MR. KANT: Four.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Yeah, four residential units, I'm sorry. You
could build four residential units on the lots.
MR. HOOVER: Do you know the size of the lot? Is it four?
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Point taken, Mr. Priddy. Any other questions of
staff or ~etitioner?
Anyone else to speak on this petition today?
Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve --
recommend for approval, Petition OSP-97-3, with the ATM allowed.
COMMISSIONER YORK: If legal.
COMMISSIONER WRAGE: Second.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yes, we'll be like the Board of County
Commissioners, it's legal until somebody tells us it's not.
COM}{ISSIONER WKAGE: Second.
COMMISSIONER YORK: I'll second it.
MS. STUDENT: Well, I just want to say that if somebody tells you
it's not -- I mean, if there's a problem and it's not -- it's void
from the beginning, if you don't have authority to do it.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: There was a motion of recommendation of approval
by Mr. Priddy, and I think initially seconded by Mr. Wrage. Any
discussion on the motion?
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response.)
Carries unanimously.
Okay. Let's see, CU-97-17.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Mr. Chairman, I need to recuse myself from
this item. My employer owns the property, the lease that is
effective.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Okay.
I'll ask all those here today that are going to speak on this
petition to please stand and raise your right hands so the court
reporter may swear you in.
(Whereupon, all speakers on this issue were sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: In the way of disclosure, I had'a very brief
conversation on the phone with Mr. Hooks, the petitioner, and I
provided everyone a copy of correspondence that was faxed to me from a
Ms. Tammi House. Mr. Reischl.
MR. REISCHL: Morning, commissioners, Fred Reischl. This is a
request for a conditional use for airboat tour operations. The site
is located south of US-41, and tkis map will probably give you the
best location. State Road 92 is just off the map here. This is --
the blue line is State Road 29. Yellow is US-41, and this is the
subject proper';y, the south -- the portion of that section that is
below, south u£ US-41, that is Port of the Islands for a point of
reference, Everglades City is down this way. Here's an aerial view of
,. the site, the blue on blue is hard to see, but it's this triangularly
Page 15
13A 2
November 20, 1997
shaped piece, you can see the borrow pit that's on the site plan
distinctly in the aerial, and the petitioner has marked the trails in
blue, their proposed trails on the site plan, on the aerial.
On the site plan, you see it in a little more detail. The right
of way of US-41, the canals, the proposed parking area, the borrow
pit, and the pink shows the existing docks that will be used to launch
the airboats.
The petitioner was heard by the Environmental Advisory BDard, and
the EAB added approximately seven stipulations to their resolution,
which are included in the resolution in your packet. Included among
them were the limitation of hours of operation from one hour after
sunrise to one hour before sunset. Instead of definitive hours, they
felt that this would allow the operation during daylight hours at all
times of the year, with minimal disturbance to bird roosting and
nesting during the dawn and dusk hours.
The three parks involved were all notified and the one concern
that was discussed at the EAB was on the south side. Two of the
trails -- you can see that on your map in your packet a little better
-- two of the trails come within 50 yards of the south border. Now,
that was proposed to the EAB that there be no airboat tour operation
within 50 yards of one of the parks. The EAB decided not to include
that stipulation because of these two points. However, they are
limited to staying on existing trails. Therefore, at ~- only at those
two'points will they come within 50 yards of one of the parks, so we
felt that was a self-limiting situation.
COMMISSIONER YORK: Who owns this land, Fred?
MR. REISCHL: The land's owned by the petitioner.
COMMISSIONER YORK: And it's environmentally sensitive?
MR. REISCHL: It's in the area of critical state concern.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: The land's owned by Collier Enterprises.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Yeah, I believe Collier Enterprises owns the
land.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Well, maybe the petitioner's representative --
MR. REISCHL: He can speak, but we have a deed that shows Mr.
Hooks as the ow~.er.
MR. KEdgE: For the record, Beau Keene with Keene Engineering,
representing Jerry Hooks, and Jerry Hooks is the owne~ of the
property. It's 194 acres.
MR. HOOKS: Yeah, I own the property.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Yeah, I need to clarify one thing. Mike
Ramsey, who works for Collier Enterprises, has been involved in the
leasing of that area and he was copied by this correspondence. Why is
that? What's the connection? I need to clarify this.
MR. MLrLHERE: This gentleman wasn't sworn.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Mr. Hooks, were you sworn in?
Did you say you were sworn, and if you can identify yourself for
the record?
MR. HOOKS: I'm Jerry Hooks, I'm the owner of the property in
question. Mike Ramsey has no connection whatsoever with the property
in which we're concerned with. He is the gentleman who handles the
Page 16
13A 2
November 20, 1997
leasing of the other airboat ride down the road from me, that's why
he's involved in it.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Okay. Thank you. I'd like to get back in.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: So that takes your dilemma away, Mr. Bruet?
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Yes, but, Marjorie, can I step back in?
MS. STUDENT: Oh, yeah.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER NELSON: You're un-recused.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Mr. Reischl.
MR. REISCHL: To give you a clarification of the location there,
on this map this red shaded area is the Everglades Private Airboat
Tours operation, approximately 10 miles to the east and then there's a
dock here, which is the launching location for Gator Airboat Tours,
which basically runs on open water. They're a little bit different
from Everglades Private and Mr. Hooks' proposed location. Everglades
Private is approximately 1,000 acres. Mr. Hooks is approximately 200
-- 194, I believe.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Any questions of staff? Mr. Nelson.
COMI~ISSIONER NELSON: Forgive me, Fred, if you mentioned this and
I missed it, but this letter that we got from Tammi House indicates
that a competitive airboat tour is subject to a lot of stipulations
that they don't believe that this petitioner is now. This is one of
the letters that's sort of irritating that you can't find exactly what
~.. all. these stipulations are. Is that true?
MR. REISCHL: Well, what was presented to the EAB, Mrs. House
spoke at the gAB, and the stipulations from her -- her operation, her
conditional use were gone through and if they apply to EAB, EAB made
them conditions for this proposed conditional use also.
MR. MULHERE: I think that some of the stipulations that were
proposed on Everglades Airboat -- Private Airboat Tours, were over the
past few years were deemed to be not appropriate. One of which was an
annual bird study, which couldn't really in the end provide any
definitive information as to whether or not there were negative
impacts associated with the airboat tours on the bird population.
MR. REIECHL: And the board has directed we remove that condition
from her conditional use. That's in the process of being done right
now.
MR. MUT,HERE: Secondly, there are some stipulati6ns that are --
that the staff is recommending on this operation, that are not
included in Ms. Haus' operation. Most notably, a limitation on the
hours of operation and the number of boats and, you know, I think Fred
will get into that, but it's based on the relatively small size of the
property on which this operation can operate, versus, I think the
Private -- Everglades Private Airboat Tours has over a thousand acres
that they lease, so -- but I'll let Fred get into that.
MR. REISCHL: And also, concerning the boats, I had a
conversation with Mr. Hooks yesterday. He did want to make an
adjustment or request an adjustment on that, on the size and nun~r of
passengers of the boat.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Yes, Mr. Reischl, we received a copy of that
Page 17
November 20, 1997
request. Through this process, is there some relationship between the
number of boats and how many acres, because there does seem to be a
big discrepancy between the two?
MR. REISCHL: That's what we were trying to accomplish. As Bob
said, Everglades Private Airboat Tours is approximately 1,000 acres.
This is approximately 200. We were trying to Get some kind of ratio
between size and the number of boats operating on the sites, on tke
two different sites.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Yeah, and I Guess that's what I'm wondering
about because as I read Mrs. Haus' letter, it's six boats on a little
o~er ~,000 acres, versus three boats on less than 200 acres, and I
Guess I was trying to figure out where the ratio is there.
MR. MULHERE: I don't think that there necessarily was a ratio.
We felt that three boats could be accommodated on the 200 acres and
that six boats might, if the use was constant and if business was
Good, might have a deleterious effect on the environment over time and
on the animal species in the area, but the relationship -- I mean,
there is no comparison because I don't know that -- I'm not even sure
the issue was discussed when Ms. House came in as to how many boats
she might have been able to have. I'm not sure whether that was
discussed.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: If Ms. House wanted to increase the number
of boats and bring herself in line with the ratio, would she be able
to do that?
MR. MULHERE: I think she could re-petition the planning
commission or the board to increase that number. There was a
limitation of six boats placed -- ultimately placed on her, but I'm
not sure what the discussion was at that time. That's something we
can look into, whether or not it was placed on Everglades Private
Airboat Tours, based on some belief that by limiting the number of
boats, we would minimize the impacts to the property out there, ~nd
I'm not sure even what the market demand is and whether or not there's
a market for three or four more boats out there. Maybe there is, but
she could do that and she indicated, at the planning co~ssion
meeting, she might be willing to come back and do that so --
COMMISSIONER YORK: My concern is to the wildlife, the ecological
impact.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: And from what I've read in the ~taff report,
there seems to be, you know, I guess the recommendation to us is three
boats seem to be what the land can tolerate. Okay. Anything else,
Mr. Reischl, before we move to the petitioner's representative?
MR. REISCHL: I received a phone call inquiring about some of the
aspects of the operation. He requested me to give him a call back
after your recommendation, and I received a letter from a lady saying,
in effect, let the developer do what he wants. I think those were her
words.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Okay. Mr. Keene.
MR. KEENE: Again, for the record, Beau Keene. I think Fred did
a pretty good job. We're comfortable with all the conditions of the
~_ approval, with the exception INJ. Jerry Hooks currently owns four
Page 18
13A 2_
November 20, 1997
airboats ranging in size from 13 to 17 feet, and an 18 foot boat is a
little larger than the trails currently can handle, and we just
requested permission to use 4 boats at'any given time, up to 16 feet
in length and 6 passengers.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Mr. Priddy.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: When did Mr. Hooks acquire this property,
about how long ago?
MR. KEEN-E: Two years ago.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And was that from the Collier family?
MR. KEENE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Okay. Any other questions of the petitioner?
Okay. Thank you. Anyone else to speak on this petition today?
Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Mr. Chairman, I think everybody needs to
earn a living somewhere, and those in Everglades City are kind of
limited somewhat, so I'm going to make the motion that we approve
Petition CU-97-17, as requested by the petitioner, that's four boats,
15 to 16 feet long.
MR. REISCHL: Is the maximum 16 feet?
COMMISSIONER BRUET: Yes.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Any discussion on the motion7
COMMISSIONER YORK: Well, my main concern is that~ you know, how
many of these are we going to allow out there? We've got -- we've got
the Everglades that are, you know, are just -- there's a big
government movement to try to restore them and I don't see where this
does anything to help that situation.
COMMISSIONER BRUET: I believe these are all uses of existing
trails. You can't make new ones, Don. He's going to utilize what's
available with certainly minimal impacts.
MR. REISCHL: That's correct, and the area of critical state
concern, salt marsh grasses are protected and basically you couldn't
cut new trails, that's why Mr. Hooks is proposing just to use the
existing trails and that's why the EAB was satisfied that in -- except
for those two places I noted, the boats would not come closer than 50
yards to any of the parks.
Mr. Bruet, can I ask if you're going to limit th~ number of
passengers or change the number of passengers?
COMMISSIONER BRUET: As the petitioner had requested, you know,
he knows the market better than I.
CHAIPF~kN DAVIS: I'm not going to support the motion. The reason
is, I feel a lot more comfortable with staff's recommendation than
what the petitioner's asked for.
Any more discussion on the motion?
COMMISSIOneR NELSON: Mr. Reischl, you were aware that the
petitioner wanted to make the boats smaller and increase the number
when you prepared your recommendation?
MR. REISCHL: No, I heard this yesterday.
COMMISSIONER NELSON: All right. And your feeling is running one
Page 19
November 20, 1997
more -- one more boat, but having them all smaller, is what?
MR. REISCHL: I, again, I'm not an expert in the market. They're
using existing trails, so basically it's gonna be a noise problem,
rather than destroying the salt marsh grasses. It's gonna be the
noise of four boats, versus the noise of three boats at one time,
would be the main issue. I think that perhaps the hours -- limiting
the hours of operation would have more of an effect on the wildlife
than the number of boats.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: The number of boats didn't come up in the EAB
discussion?
MR. REISCHL: Not to my recollection, no, it didn't.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Thanks. Any more discussion?
COMMISSIONER WRAGE: The only thing, Mr. Chairman, I'm going to
support the motion. One of the things I do note, and I have not been
on Mr. Hooks' boats, but I've certainly been on the Everglades Private
Airboat Tours, and I believe they even advertise a night operation.
At some point, us or the county's going to need to establish a level
field out there of operation, I think of size. I'm not sure -- we're
dwelling in competitive issues here of one person over another and I
don't believe that's our purpose.
MR. REISCHL: Well, the EAB asked staff to propose to the Board
of County Commissioners that there be special conditions established
for airboat conditional uses and the board decided that they would
want to look at them on a case by case basis, they did not want to
establish standards at this time.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, I call for the question.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: All those in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
Opposed? ..
Nay.
COMMISSIONER YORK: Nay.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: It carries five to two, myself and Mr. York
against.
We need to fill out our conditional use sheets.
COM~ISSIONER NELSON: And pass them to our secretary.
CHAIRMAN DAVIS: Yes, and pass them to our secretary.
The next petition is PSP-97- -- PSP-97-9.
I'd ask all those present that are going to testify on this
petition to please stand and raise you right hand so you may be sworn.
(Whe'ceupon, all speakers on this issue were sworn.)
MR. NINO: For the record, my name is Ron Nino. PSP-97-9 is for
a project which I'm sure you're quite familiar with. It wasn't too
long ago that you approved the PL~ rezoning action, and you may recall
that the singular issue that came out of that discussion was the need
to preserve a right-of-way along the south side of The Club Estates.
That issue went to the board and the board determined that, indeed, we
did want a right-of-way. However, there was a reduction in the width
of that right-of-way of 30 feet as it lies contiguous to the lots and
expands the 50 feet on the western end of the project.
Reviewing staff have asked for certain conditions to be included
Page 20
RESOLUTION NO. 93- 129_
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR T~E ESTABLISH~fENT OF
RECP~ATIONAL FACILITIES CONDITIONAL USE IN THE
A-ACSC/ST ZONING DISTRICT PURSUANT TO SECTION
2.2.2.3 OF THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE, FOR ALL THE PROPERTY DU~ATED SOUTH OF THE
U.S. %41 RIGHT-OF-WAY, CONSISTING OF 1,016 ACRES
MORE OR I2~SS, IN SECTIONS 26 & 27, TOWNSHIP 52
SOUTR, RANGE 29 EAST, CO?.~.IER COUNTY, FLORIDA.
%~HEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Florida in Chapter
67-1246, l~%ws of Florida, and chapter 125, Florida Statutes, has
conferred on Collier county the power to establish, coordinate and
enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for
the protection of the public; and
W~EREAS, the County pursuant thereto has adopted a Land :
Development Code (Ordinance No. 91-102) which includes a
Comprehensive zoning ordinance establishing regulations for the
zoning of particular geographic divisions of the County, among
which is the granting of conditional Uses; and
W~EREAS, the Collier county Planning Commission, being the
duly appointed and constituted planning board for the area hereby
affected, has held a public hearing after notice as in said
regulations made and provided, and has considered the advisability
of Conditional Use "23" in an A-ACSC/ST zone for recreational
facilities on the property hereinafter described, and has found as
a matter of fact (Exhibit "A") that satisfactory provision and
arrangement has been made concerning all applicable matters
required by said regulations and in accordance with Subsection
2.7.4.4 of the Land Development Code for the Collier County
Planning commission; and
WHEREAS, all interested parties have been given opportunity to
be heard by this Board in a public meeting assembled and the Board
haviPg considered all matters presented.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
of Collier county, Florida that:
-1-
The petition filed by Mitchell D. and Teresa E. House, d/b/a
Everglades Private Airboat Tours and Collier Enterprises, owner,
All the property south of the U.S. 41 right-of-way,
consisting of 1,016 acres, more or less, and located in
Sections 26 & 27, Township 52 South, Range 29 East,
Collier County, Florida.
be and the same is hereby approved for. Conditional Use "23" of the
A-ACSC/ST zoning district for recreational facilities in accordance
with the Conceptual Master Plan (Exhibit "B") and subject to the
following conditions:
a. The Planning Services Manager may approve minor changes
in the location, siting, or height of buildings,
structures, and improvements authorized by the
conditional use. Expansion of the uses identified and
' ' approved within this conditional use application, or
major changes to the site plan submitted as part of this
application, shall require the submittal of a new
conditional use application, and shall comply with all
applicable County ordinances in effect at the time of
submittal, including Division 3.3, Site Development Plan
Review and approval, of the Collier County Land
Development Code (ordinance No. 91-102).
b. This project shall be required to meet all County
ordinances in effect at the time final construction
documents are submitted for development approval.
Co
do
The petitioner shall submit to Project Plan Review
Environmental Staff for review and approval, a monitoring
program to assess possible impacts to the natural
resources of the area within the conditional use
boundaries, specifically impact~ to avian species. The
monitoring program must include at a minim=m, avian
species utilization data collected bi-annually, once
during the wet season and once during the dry season,
over a five year period, beginning after private airboat
tour operation commencement. If Staff determines that
the data indicates negative impacts on avian species
populations utilizing the site, petitioner shall be
provided notice of such impact and given 90 days to
provide a plan acceptable to staff and petitioner to
correct such impacts. If an agreement is not reached the
petitioner shall be required to return to the
Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) or its successor for
possible private airboat tour operation revisions (for
example, existing trails, etc.).
At the time of private airboat tour operation
commencement, the petitioner shall install and maintain
no trespassing signage along the entire property line
every 300~ yards. The entire property shall be utilized
specifically for commercial conservation/ecological
tours. There shall be no other permitted uses associated
with this conditional use.
-2-
The applicant shall utilize existing airboat trails in a
round trip method aocording to the proposed existing
trails identified on the aerial submitted on February 10,
1993.
p'ermits or letters of exemption from the U.S. Army corps
of Engineers, Florida Depart~gnt of Environmental
Regulation and the South Florida Water Management
District shall be presented prior to the issuance of a
final site development plan approval.
Prior to final site development pla~ approval the
applicant shall submit to Project Plan Review
Environmental Staff for review and approval a Wetland
Mitigation and Enhancement Plan. This plan shall include
compensatory measures to offset the wetland impacts on at
least an equal area basis (Collier county GroWth
Management Plan - conservation and Coastal Management
Element Policy 6.2.7).
Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy all
exotic vegetation as defined by the county Land
Development code shall be removed at a minimum of fifty
(50) foot buffer from the approved final site development
plan development footprint. The fifty (50) foot buffer
area and all developed areas shall be maintained free of
exotic vegetation (Collier county Land Development Code
Section 2.2.24.7.4.18).
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, the
i. Upo~ .... :- -ubS,ct to a forty-five (45) dgy
in ermlu ~ ~ ~
build, g P _ lorida De artment of Community
appeal period by the F P
Affairs.
j. The petitioner shall assist and work with the applicable
state and federal agencies (i.e., U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission,
etc.) to prepare base line environmental ~tudies.
k. Tn, airboats shall only be equipped with non-aircraft
engines including spark arrestors and properly muffled to
reduce the noise as much as possible.
1. Airboats shall be limited to a maximum length of eighteen
(18) feet and no more than ten (10) people aboard,
including the driver.
m. No more than six (6) airboats shall be allowed to operate
at this site, at any one time.
n. One year from the date of the conditional use approval
(March 23rd, 1994), the Board of County Commissioners
will reevaluate this conditional use and if found to be
abusive or detrimental to the environment, and no steps
were taken to correct the problem, then the BCC has the
ability to eliminate the conditional use.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be recorded in the
minutes of this Board.
-3-
commissioner _ ~grris offered the foregoing
Resolution and moved for ire adoption, seconded by Commi~lioner
¥o'loe and upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: Commissioner Norris, Commissioner Volpe, Com~ssioner Constantine,
Commissioner Matthews, and Commissioner Saunders
NAYS:
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING:
ABSTENTION:
A .TTF. ST-'..~-~'~'] lit"
~OVZD ~s =o..~o~ AND
LE~A~...' 'SUFFICIENCY:
~O~IZ M.' ~T~DENT
ASSISTANT COUF~Y ATTOm'~¥
daY' of ~ 1993.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
BURT L. SAD'NDE]tS, CHAIRMAN
CU-92-16 RESOLUTION/r~b/9088
-4-