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34-90 ORDINANCE NO. 34-90 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH COASTAL PROTECTION ORDINANCE, AMENDING TITLE 15, "BUILDING REGULATIONS", CHAPTER 151, "COASTAL CONSTRUCTION", PROVIDING FOR THE SUBHEADING "GENERAL PROVISIONS" PERTAINING TO COASTAL CONSTRUC- TION TO BE RENAMED "GENERAL PROVISIONS -- COASTAL CONSTRUCTION"; BY ENACTING NEW SECTIONS 151.60 THROUGH 151.68, UNDER SUBHEADING "GENERAL PROVISIONS -- COASTAL PROTECTION"; PROVIDING FOR A SHORT TITLE AND APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF SAID AMENDMENT; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR JURISDICTION; ESTABLISHING A COASTAL PROTECTION ZONE AND A SAND PRESERVATION ZONE; PROVIDING FOR GENERAL PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL PERMITS; PROVIDING PERMIT FEES; PROVIDING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RELIEF; APPEAL PROCESS; PROVIDING FOR VIOLATIONS, ENFORCE- MENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A GENERAL REPEALER CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, authorizes the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, to provide and maintain standards for the citizens of said City which insure their health, safety, and well being pursuant to its Home Rule Power which includes programs for conservation and flood and beach erosion control; and WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 90-2 known as the "Palm Beach County Coastal Protection Ordinance" is effective within incorporated and unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County, except for incorporated areas where the adoption and enforcement of an equally stringent, or more stringent ordinance is adopted within an incorporated area. WHEREAS, consideration has been given to ground elevations in relation to historical storm and hurricane tides, predicted maximum wave run-up, beach and offshore ground contours, coastal vegetation, erosion trends, dunes, and existing upland development; and WHEREAS, the City of Delray Beach, Florida, has determined after consideration of the above described factors that new regulations establishing a construction setback line as set out below are necessary for the protection of upland properties, the control of beach erosion, hurricane protection, coastal flood control, and shoreline and offshore rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, in adopting this Ordinance, the City recognized the importance of preserving and protecting the dune system as a vital physical feature of the natural environment possessing outstanding geological, biological, recreational, scenic and protective value for this and succeeding generations of citizens; and WHEREAS, in adopting this Ordinance, the City seeks to protect the natural functioning of the beach/dune system and encourage restora- tion of destroyed beaches and dunes, to protect and enhance the coast and to devote these areas to only those limited land uses which preserve, protect and enhance the natural environment of the beaches and dunes; and WHEREAS, a permitting program is necessary in order to provide for uniform regulation in a timely manner of any proposed alteration which would create any impact on the environment, natural beauty, or level of storm protection provided by the beach and dune system; and WHEREAS, the City of Delray Beach, Florida, in the lawful exercise of its Home Rule Powers, desires to adopt a coastal protection ordinance to augment and supplement its current coastal construction ordinance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That Title 15, "Building Regulations", Chapter 151, "Coastal Construction", be, and the same is hereby amended by amending subheading "General Conditions" which precedes Section 151.01, "Short Title", to read as follows: "General Provisions -- Coastal Construction" Section 2. That Title 15, "Building Regulations", Chapter 151, "Coastal Construction", be and the same is hereby amended by enacting a new subheading, "General Provisions -- Coastal Protection, and Sections 151.60 through 151.68, to read as follows: "General Provisions -- Coastal Construction" 151.60. Short Title: Applicability (A) This Ordinance shall be known as the "Delray Beach Coastal Protection Ordinance". (B) The recitations set forth in the "WHEREAS" paragraphs above are incorporated by reference herein as findings of fact upon which this Ordinance is based. (C) All provisions of this Ordinance shall be effective within the City of Delray Beach, Florida, and shall set restric- tions, constraints and requirements to preserve and protect the coastal beaches, dunes, and coastal vegetation. (D) This Ordinance shall apply to any activity that has the potential to adversely impact the coastal beaches and dunes located within the City limits of the City of Delray Beach, Florida located in Palm Beach County. 151.61. Purpose The purpose of this Ordinance is to preserve and protect the integrity of the coastal beach and dune from any activity which would tend to destabilize the dune or reduce the ability of the coastal beach and dune to response naturally to storm events. 151.62. Definitions "Alter(ation)" or "Materially alter" shall mean the removal, addition, or moving of sand; the removal or addition of any vegetation by planting or transplanting; or the destruction, pruning, cutting, or trimming of any vegetation but shall exclude the removal of seedlings, runners, suckers, and saplings (less than ten (10) feet in height) of exotic plant species. It shall also mean any construction, excavation or placement of a structure which has the potential to adversely affect coastal biological resources, the control of beach erosion, hurricane protection, coastal flood control or shoreline and offshore rehabilita- tion. "Beach" shall mean the zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the mean high water line of the Atlantic Ocean to the place where there is a marked change in material or physiographic form, or to the line of permanent vegetation, usually the effective limit of storm waves. "Beach" is alternately termed "shore". "Beach Cleaning" shall mean the clearing or burying of sea- weed, debris, dead fish, or trash or the contouring of the beach by raking and leveling, provided that such activity shall not disturb existing beach or dune vegetation. Such activity shall not change the final ground elevations greater than one foot. "Beach Fill" shall mean ~and placed ~n the beach. "Coastal Protection Zone" shall mean an area of jurisdiction established by this Ordinance. This zone extends from the mean high water line of the Atlantic Ocean to a line twenty-five (25) feet land- ward of the crest of the dune or the State of Florida Coastal Construc- tion Control Line, whichever is more landward. "Coastal vegetation" shall mean all native plant species indigenous to City beaches and dunes. The coastal vegetation species recommended for use are provided in the "Rules and Guidelines for Dune Maintenance". "Crest of the dune" shall mean the highest point in elevation of the dune. "Dune" shall mean a hill or ridge of windblown sand and marine deposits lying landward of, and adjacent to, the beach which is formed by natural and artificial processes. "Emergency" shall mean any unusual incident which results in immediate danger to the health, safety, welfare or resources of the residents of the City, including damages to or erosion of any shoreline resulting from a hurricane, storm, or other such violent disturbance. "Endangered, Threatened, Rare, and Species of Special Concern" means any species listed as endangered, threatened, rare, or of special concern by one or more of the following agencies: (A) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (B) Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. (C) Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals. (D) Florida Department of Agriculture (E) Treasure Coast Regional Planning~Council. "Excavation" shall mean removal or displacement of soil, sand, or vegetation by the process of digging, dredging, cutting, scooping, or hollowing out. "Motor vehicle" includes any auto, car, van, truck, tractor, motorcycle, dune buggy, moped, or other similar vehicle, but excludes wheelchairs and emergency rescue vehicles. "Sand" shall mean sediments having a distribution of particle diameters between .074 and 4.76 millimeters. "Sand Preservation Zone" shall mean an area of jurisdiction, established by this Ordinance, for the purpose of maintaining the volume of beach sand within the beach/dune system. This zone extends from the mean high water line of the Atlantic Ocean to a line six hundred (600) feet landward. "Seedling, sapling, runner, or sucker" shall mean any young plant or tree in early stages of growth. "Structure" includes anything constructed or erected tempo- rarily or permanently on the ground or attached to something having a permanent location on the ground and shall include house, pools, patios, garages, gazebos, shore protection devices, pavement, signs, walls, bulkheads, fences, radio towers, or other types of construction with interior surfaces, but excludes lifeguard stands. 151.63. Jurisdiction and Prohibitions (A) The Chief Building Official shall have regulatory authority over all alterations (as defined in Section 151.62) to the beaches and dunes. This Ordinance establishes two zones of jurisdiction -- the Coastal Protection Zone and the Sand Preserva- tion Zone. (B) The Coastal Protection Zone is established for the purposes of protecting the integrity of the coastal beach and dune system. This zone extends from the mean high water line of the Atlantic Ocean to a line twenty-five (25) feet landward of the crest of the dune or the State of Florida Coastal Construction Control Line, whichever is more landward. (C) The Sand Preservation Zone is established for the pur- poses of maintaining the volume and quality of beach sand presently existing within the beach/dune system. The unique characteristics of the sediments contained in the existing beaches and dunes of the City require the preservation of these materials within the beach/dune system. The Sand Preservation Zone extends from the mean high water line of the Atlantic Ocean to a line six hundred (600) feet landward. (D) Within the limits of jurisdiction of the Coastal Protec- tion Zone as defined in this section: (1) no person, firm, corporation, special district, public agency, public entity or the City shall: (1) construct any structure; (2) place any soil, sand or material; (3) make any excavation; (4) remove any existing soil, sand or beach material or otherwise alter existing ground elevation; (5) alter, damage or cause to be damaged any sand dune or coastal vegetation, or; (6) drive any motor vehicle; on, over or across any beach or sand dune without first having obtained a permit from the City as provided for in this Ordinance. Nothing herein shall prevent official motor vehicles of any governmental agency from traversing any sand dune or beach in the performance of official duties provided the vehicle operators avoid coastal vegetation whenever possible. (2) it shall be a violation for pedestrians to traverse the dune within two hundred (200) feet of a public dune walkover except by use of the walkover. (3) Within the limits of jurisdiction of the Sand Preserva- tion Zone as defined in this section, no person, firm, corporation, special district, public agency or the City shall remove any beach or dune sediments from their property without first having obtained a permit from the City as provided for in this Ordinance. 151.64. General Permits (A) General Permits may be issued for the proposed construc- tion of dune walkovers, installation of utility transmission lines, dune re-vegetation projects of less than 4000 square feet, minor fill projects with less than 200 cubic yards of fill placed on less than 4000 square feet and routine dune maintenance activities. General Permits shall be issued provided the proposed project complies with the criteria specified in Section 151.64(N). Applicants with proposed projects that do not meet the criteria for a General Permit must apply for a Special Permit. (B) General Permit applications shall be made on a form approved by the Chief Building Official. (C) An application shall not be deemed complete until the application fee and any and all information necessary to fully understand the extent, nature, and potential impacts of a proposed project are received by the Chief Building Official. Such informa- tion may include, but is not limited to: (1) a completed application form; (2) an explanation of the purpose and necessity of the project; (3) a description of construction techniques and schedules; (4) photographs of existing conditions which may include aerial photographs; (5) plans showing profile and plan views including elevations of proposed and existing structures, dune and vegetation, and; (6) sediment analysis of existing dune and beach and any proposed fill material; (D) Where an application is made for work in common areas of a multi-family residential site (i.e., condominiums, apartments, townhouses, villas, etc.) the representatives association, or all of the homeowners as a group, shall be the applicant. The Chief Building Official shall not process an application made by one unit owner in a multi-family setting where the work is proposed on lands designated as, or can reasonably be considered to be common areas. (E) Any General Permit application containing false informa- tion may be rejected and any General Permit issued based upon false information may be revoked. (F) General Permits may be issued by the Chief Building Official with a duration of one (1) year with annual renewal conditioned upon General Permit compliance. The time frame for processing a General Permit shall be in accordance with Section 103.6.1 of the standard building code. (G) The Chief Building Official may attach conditions to any General Permit where such conditions are deemed reasonably necessary to protect the environmental integrity of the subject site, or areas of potential impact. (H) Any application received that is substantially the same as a previous application that has been denied by the Chief Building official shall also be denied without further processing. (I) Any site or applicant that is subject to or recipient of a notice of violation or notice of General Permit noncompliance that remains unresolved shall not be issued a General Permit or Special Permit. 5 ORD. NO. 34-90 (J) Any substantial modification to a complete application, or to an issued General Permit, shall require an amended applica- tion form and an additional application fee. (K) The provisions of this section shall not apply to struc- tures, plantings, and alterations existing or Under construction as of the effective date of this code provided, however, that such existing structures and those structures under construction, are not expanded beyond the specifications of their respective plans existing and approved as &f t~:= effective date of this Ordinance. (L) Criteria for issuance of a General Permit An application for a General Permit will be evaluated to verify that the project will not adversely impact the conservation of wildlife or their habitats with special emphasis place upon the protec- tion of Endangered, Threatened, Rare, and Species of Special Concern. The application will also be evaluated to verify that the proposed project will not adversely impact the stability of the dune or the natural exchange of sand between the beaches and dunes. Specific criteria that must be met are: [1) Dune Walkovers (a) Privately owned structures cannot exceed four (4) feet in width. (b) Publicly owned structures cannot exceed eight (81 feet in width. (c) The walkover shall be located in an area that will ensure minimal disturbance to existing native vegetation. Construction activity shall disturb the minimum amount of vegetation and in no case shall such disturbance exceed a total swath four (4) feet wider than the walkover. (d) The slope of the walkover shall match the slope of the dune as closely as possible while still meeting applicable building codes. (e) Design criteria shall meet the Florida Department of Natural Resources requirements. (2) Utility Transmission Lines Installation of public utility transmission lines under General Permit shall not alter native coastal vegetation. (3) Vegetation Trimming (a) A General Permit for trimming of dune vegetation for a view may be issued, provided the activity meets the criteria established in the "Rules and Guide- lines for Dune Maintenance", which, upon adoption by the City Commission, govern routine dune maintenance. (b) Conditions that may be attached to a General Permit for trimming include removal of exotic vegetation within the Coastal Protection Zone and implementa- tion of a debris removal program which shall re~¢~ire the periodic removal of all human manufactured items from the beach system, preferably by hand. 6 ORD. NO. ~4-90 (C) A General Permit for trimming is an annual General Permit and a request for renewal may be made in writing to the City. The request must include current photos of the permitted activity for the purpose of aiding the City in determining compliance. (4) Dune Revegetation and Filling Repair and revegetation of the dune is strongly encouraged provided the activity meets the criteria in "Rules and Guidelines for Dune Maintenance". Dune revegetation projects of less than 2000 square feet or minor fill projects with less than 20 cubic yards of fill placed on less than 2000 square feet on the subject property over a period of one year will be exempt from the General Permit fee requirement. (5) Beach Cleaning Activity (a) Beach cleaning equipment will be permitted on the beach provided that mechanized equipment is not used within fifteen (15) feet of the toe of the dune or within fifteen (15) feet of any existing coastal vegetation. Existing coastal vegetation specifi- cally includes isolated patches of pioneer plants and seedlings. (b) Naturally occurring organic debris such as seaweed shall be left on the beach. The debris may be either left in place or raked into piles. The piles may be buried in a continuous line along the beach or placed at the base of an unvegetated dune scarp provided that mechanized equipment is not used within fifteen (15) feet of the toe of the dune or within fifteen (15) feet of any existing vegetation. Trash and litter, such as plastics shall be removed from the beach and properly disposed of. Raked debris shall not be placed on adjacent property without permission from the adjacent property owner. (c) Access for beach cleaning equipment is restricted to access points approved by the Department and the Florida Department of Natural Resources. (6) Exotic Vegetation Removal Removal of exotic vegetation is encouraged provided the removal takes place in a manner that results in the least amount of impact to existing native dune vegetation. Removal of seedlings, runners, suckers and saplings (less than ten (10) feet in height) of exotic plant species does not require a permit In cases where trees and stumps are removed and damage is unavoidable during the removal process, all cleared areas will be revegetated with appropriate coastal vegetation, according to the list provided in "Rules and Guidelines to Dune Main- tenance'' and will be placed in appropriate natural zones on the dune profile. (7) Emergency Repairs 7 ORD. NO. 34-90 Emergency repairs shall include placement of fill, rock, or concrete rubble to protect structures in imminent danger of sustaining damage from storm waves. 151.65. Special Permits (A) All proposed projects that do not meet the General Permit criteria may be processed according to the requirements of this section. (B) Special Permit applications shall be made on forms approved by the Chief Building Official. (C) An application shall not be deemed complete until the application fee and any and all information necessary to fully understand the extent, nature, and potential impacts of a proposed project are received by the Chief Building Official. Such informa- tion may include, but is not limited to: (1) a completed application form (2) an explanation of the necessity and purpose of the project; (3) a description of construction techniques and schedules; (4) photographs of existing conditions which may include aerial photographs; (5) plans showing profile and plan views including elevations of the proposed structure, dune and vegetation; (6) sediment analysis of existing dune and beach and any proposed fill material; (7) engineering models and predictions, and; (8) biological evaluation of the proposed project site (D) Where an application is made for work in common areas of a multi-family residential site (i.e., condominiums, apartments, townhouses, villas, etc.), the representative association, or all of the homeowners as a group, shall be the applicant. The Chief Building Official shall not process an application made by one unit owner in a multi-family setting where the work is proposed on lands designated as, or can reasonably be considered to be, common areas. (E) Special Permits may be issued with a duration period that is reasonably necessary to complete the project not to exceed two (2) years. The time frame for processing a Special Permit shall be in accordance with Section 103.6.1 of the Standard Building Code. (F) The Chief Building Official may attach conditions to any Special Permit where such conditions are deemed reasonably necessary to protect the environmental integrity of the subject site or areas of potential impact. (G) Any application received that is substantially the same as a previous application that has been denied by the City shall also be denied without further processing. ORD. NO. 34-90 (H) Any site or applicant that is subject to or recipient of a notice of violation or notice of Permit noncompliance that remains unresolved shall not be issued a City General Permit or Special Permit. (I) Any substantial modification to a complete application, or to an issued Special Permit, shall require an amended application form and an additional application fee. (J) The provisions of ~i .....~.~: shall not apply to struc- tures existing or under construction as of the effective date of this Ordinance provided, however, that such existing structures and those structures under construction, are not expanded beyond the specifications of their respective plans and approvals existing as of the effective date of this Ordinance. (K) Criteria for issuance of a Special Permit. A Special Permit may be issued pursuant to this Ordinance provided that the applicant submits to the Chief Building Official evidence that the following criteria will be met: (1) The applicant must demonstrate with adequate engineering data that the proposed project will not adversely affect the natural exchange of sand within the beach/dune system, the control of beach erosion, and the level of storm protection. (2) The proposed project will not adversely impact the conservation of wildlife or their habitats with special emphasis placed upon the protection of Endangered, Threatened, Rare, and Species of Special Concern. (3) The proposed project does not adversely impact the stability of the dune. (4) There shall be no net loss of sand from the Sand Preser- vation Zone. Sand temporarily excavated from the Sand Preservation Zone shall be returned to the Sand Preserva- tion Zone prior to the expiration date of the Permit. In addition, the sand may not be degraded by mixing with any sediment, soil, or material that is not approved by the Chief Building Official. 151.66. Fees (A) A schedule of fees is adopted to supplement the cost of evaluating and issuing General Permits and Special Permits and monitoring compliance of issued General Permits and Special Permits. (B) Permit application fees shall be non-refundable. (C) All application fees paid by check shall be made payable to the City of Delray Beach. (D) The schedule of fees shall be based upon the level of review necessary to process permits and will be divided into three categories: (1) General Permit $100.00 (except minor restoration projects as described under Section 151.64(L)(4), and Section 151.64(L)(5) for which all fees are waived.) q O~D. NO. 34-90 (2) Special Permit $500.00 (3) All fees for General Permits and Permits issued to the City or other governmental agencies shall be waived. 151.67. ADDeals; Variances (A) ADDeals. Any affected party may appeal a final deter- mination of the Chief Building Official. A written notice of appeal shall be filed by the applicant with the Chief Building Official within twenty (20) days from receipt of the decision appealed from; setting forth in detail the factual basis for such an appeal. The appeal shall be heard by the City Commission and a decision rendered within sixty (60) days of submittal of all documentation needed to evaluate the request. (B) Variances. Variances are prohibited. 151.68. Violations, Enforcement, Penalties Failure to comply with the requirements of this Ordinance or any permit or approval granted or authorized hereunder shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance. Violations of the provisions of this Ordinance, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per violation, per day, or by imprisonment in the County Jail not to exceed ninety (90) days, or by both. Such violation may be deemed a separate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation is committed or continued. Additionally, damage to the beaches, dunes or coastal vegetation may result in an order to restore to pre-existing site conditions. In addition to the sanctions contained herein, the City may take any other appropriate legal action, including, but not limited to, administrative action and requests for temporary and permanent injunctions to enforce the pro- visions of this Ordinance. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to provide additional cumulative remedies. Nothing herein shall prohibit the Code Enforcement Board from retaining jurisdiction pursuant to Chapter 37 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach, or the pursuit of any other legal remedy by the City to enforce this code. Section 3 That afl ordinances or parts of ordinances which are in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 4. That should any section or provision of this ordinance or any portion thereof, any paragraph, sentence or word be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid such deci- sion shall not effect the validity of the remainder hereof as a whole part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid. Section 5. That this ordinance shall become effective immediately on its passage on second and final reading. PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final reading on this the 28th day of AT~EST:~ City Clerk/ First Reading August 14, 1990 Second Reading August 2~, 1990 (2) Special Permit $500.00 (3) Ail fees for General Permits and Permits issued to the City or other governmental agencies shall be waived. 151.67. ApDeals; Variances (A) Appeals. Any affected party may appeal a final deter- mination of the Chief Building Official. A written notice of appeal shall be filed by the applicant with the Chief Building Official within twenty (20) days from receipt of the decision appealed from; setting forth in detail the factual basis for such an appeal. The appeal shall be heard by the City Commission and a decision rendered within sixty (60) days of submittal of all documentation needed to evaluate the request. (B) Variances. Variances are prohibited. 151.68. Violationst ~nforcement~ Penaltios Failure to comply with the requirements of this Ordinance or any permit or approval granted or authorized hereunder shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance. Violations of the provisions of this Ordinance, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per violation, per day, or by imprisonment in the County Jail not to exceed ninety (90) days, or by both. Such violation may be deemed a separate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation is committed or continued. Additionally, damage to the beaches, dunes or coastal vegetation may result in an order to restore to pre-existing site conditions. In addition to the sanctions contained herein, the City may take any other appropriate legal action, including, but not limited to, administrative action and requests for temporary and permanent injunctions to enforce the pro- visions of this Ordinance. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to provide additional cumulative remedies. Nothing herein shall prohibit the Code Enforcement Board from retaining jurisdiction pursuant to Chapter 37 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach, or the pursuit of any other legal remedy by the City to enforce this code. Section 3. That a~l ordinances or parts of ordinances which 'are in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. Section 4. That should any section or provision of this ordinance or any portion thereof, any paragraph, sentence or word be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid such deci- sion shall not effect the validity of the remainder hereof as a whole part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid. Section 5. That this ordinance shall become effective immediately on its passage on second and final reading. PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final reading on this the 28th day of AT~. EST: City Clerk / First Reading August 14, 1990 Second Reading August 2~, 1990