§ 50-691. Open space.

(a)

Lot cover. Schedule 2 of this article provides that, within the various districts, a portion of every lot of record will, when developed, remain as open space, i.e., not covered with impervious surfaces or structures.

(b)

Usable uplands and wetlands. Except for essential public utility services and electric generating facilities, one hundred percent of all wetlands shall be preserved in a natural state, except in circumstances where they must be crossed for access purposes. If wetlands are altered or destroyed by crossings, mitigation shall be required at the rate of 1.1 square feet of new wetlands per square foot destroyed. For each acre of preserved wetland, a minimum of one-tenth acre of contiguous upland will be dedicated to permanent open space. The development potential of the preserved uplands may be transferred to other uplands under the same common ownership, with a commensurate reduction in the average lot size. Development in wetlands necessary for essential public utility services and electric generating facilities shall be subject to the uniform mitigation assessment method for wetlands (UMAM) established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

(c)

Density bonuses for public dedication. Developers who dedicate usable uplands to public use, (i.e., county, state, special district or private, nonprofit organizations), with public access, shall receive a density bonus of one dwelling unit per acre dedicated. The density bonus may be utilized on other lands that are contiguous and under the same common ownership, with a commensurate reduction in the average lot size.

(d)

Trees. All open space areas shall contain a minimum of ten trees per acre.

(1)

Tree species shall be predominantly, i.e. over 50 percent, native trees.

(2)

If the tree species to be planted are not drought tolerant, an irrigation system must be installed.

(3)

Tree sizes and spacing or grouping shall be left to the discretion of the developer.

(1991 LDR ch. 79, § 6.10; Ord. No. 2007-03, § 21, 7-17-2007; Ord. No. 2007-05, § 3, 9-18-2007)