§ 33-261.1. Site plan review.

(A)

[Responsibility; purpose; procedures generally.] The Department shall review plans for compliance with zoning regulations and for compliance with the site plan review criteria. The purpose of the site plan review is to encourage logic, imagination, innovation and variety in the design process and encourage the congruity of the proposed development and its compatibility with the surrounding area. All plans submitted to the Department shall be reviewed and approved or denied within fifteen (15) days from the date of submission. The applicant shall have the right to extend the fifteen-day period by an additional fifteen (15) days upon request made in writing to the Department. Denials shall be in writing and shall specifically set forth the grounds for denial. Receipt of applicant's plans for fifteen (15) days without formal written denial shall constitute approval. If the plan is disapproved, the applicant may appeal to the appropriate Community Zoning Appeals Board. Appeals by the applicant shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the date the project was denied.

(B)

Required exhibits. The following exhibits shall be prepared by design professionals such as architects and landscape architects and submitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning:

(1)

Dimensioned site plan(s) indicating, as a minimum, the following information:

(a)

Existing zoning on the site and on adjacent properties.

(b)

The basic use, height, bulk and location of all buildings and other structures with setbacks.

(c)

Vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems, including connection(s) to existing or proposed roadway and sidewalk system and the layout of parking, service and loading areas.

(d)

Graphics and/or notations indicating the site planning or structure design methods used to minimize the impact of those industrial activities that could have a negative impact on existing or proposed adjacent land uses.

(e)

Sketches of design elements to be used for buffering surrounding uses.

(2)

Elevation of the proposed buildings and other major design elements.

(3)

Landscape plans: Landscaping and trees shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 18A of this Code.

(4)

Figures indicating the following:

(a)

Proposed uses.

(b)

Gross floor area: ..... square feet

(c)

Gross floor area above four (4)
floors: ..... square feet

(d)

Land area:

Gross:
..... square feet
..... acres
Net:
;b3; ..... square feet
..... acres

(e)

Landscaped open space:

Required:
..... square feet
..... % of net land area

Provided:
..... square feet
..... % of net land area

(f)

Trees:
Required: .....
Provided .....

(g)

Off-street parking spaces:
Required: .....
Provided: .....

(C)

Criteria. The following shall be considered in the plan review process:

(1)

Planning studies: Planning studies approved by the Board of County Commissioners that include development patterns or environmental and other design criteria shall be considered in the plan review process.

(2)

Landscape: Landscape shall be preserved in its natural state insofar as is practicable by minimizing removal of existing vegetation. Landscape shall be used to shade and cool, enhance architectural features, relate structure design to the site, visually screen noncompatible uses and ameliorate the impact of noise.

(3)

Compatibility: The architectural design and scale of the proposed structures shall be compatible with surrounding existing or proposed uses or shall be made compatible by the use of screening elements. Screening elements can include such devices as trees and shrubs, walls and fencing, berming or any combination of these elements. Visual buffering shall be provided between parking and service areas and adjacent nonindustrial uses.

(4)

Emergency access: Unobstructed on-site access for emergency equipment shall be considered.

(5)

Circulation: Internal vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems shall be designed to function with existing and/or approved systems outside the development. Vehicular traffic generated from the industrial activity should be routed in such a manner as to minimize impact on residential development.

(6)

Energy conservation: Applicants are advised to consider requirements of Chapter 52 of the South Florida Building Code.

(7)

Visual screening for decorative walls: In an effort to prevent graffiti vandalism, the following options shall be utilized for walls abutting zoned or dedicated rights-of-way:

(a)

Wall with landscaping. The wall shall be setback two and one-half (2½) feet from the right-of-way line and the resulting setback area shall contain a continuous extensively landscaped buffer which must be maintained in a good healthy condition by the property owner, or where applicable, by the condominium, homeowners or similar association. The landscape buffer shall contain one (1) or more of the following planting materials:

(1)

Shrubs. Shrubs shall be a minimum of three (3) feet in height when measured immediately after planting and shall be planted and maintained to form a continuous, unbroken, solid, visual screen within one (1) year after time of planting.

(2)

Hedges. Hedges shall be a minimum of three (3) feet in height when measured immediately after planting and shall be planted and maintained to form a continuous, unbroken, solid, visual screen within one (1) year after time of planting.

(3)

Vines. Climbing vines shall be a minimum of thirty-six (36) inches in height immediately after planting.

(b)

Metal picket fence. Where a metal picket fence abutting a zoned or dedicated right-of-way is constructed in lieu of a decorative wall, landscaping shall not be required.

(Ord. No. 79-97, § 1, 11-20-79; Ord. No. 95-19, § 13, 2-7-95; Ord. No. 95-215, § 1, 12-5-95; Ord. No. 95-223, § 1, 12-5-95; Ord. No. 96-127, § 19, 9-4-96; Ord. No. 99-38, § 14, 4-27-99)