§ 5.05.02. Marinas

A.

The following standards are for the purpose of manatee protection and are applicable to all multi-slip docking facilities with ten slips or more, and all marina facilities.

B.

Proposed developments will be reviewed for consistency with the Manatee Protection Plan ("MPP") adopted by the BCC and approved by the DEP. If the location of the proposed development is consistent with the MPP, then the developer will submit a "Manatee Awareness and Protection Plan," which shall address, but not be limited to, the following categories:

1.

Education and public awareness.

2.

Posting and maintaining manatee awareness signs.

3.

Information on the type and destination of boat traffic that will be generated from the facility.

4.

Monitoring and maintenance of water quality to comply with state standards.

5.

Marking of navigational channels, as may be required.

C.

A rating system is established to evaluate proposed marina facilities. The purpose of the marina site rating system is to help determine the maximum wet slip densities in order to improve existing Manatee protection. The marina site rating system gives a ranking based on three (3) criteria: water depth, native marine habitat, and manatee abundance. In evaluating a parcel for a potential boat facility, a minimum sphere of influence for the boat traffic must be designated. For the proposed marina facility, an on-water travel distance of five (5) miles is considered the sphere of influence.

1.

A preferred rating is given to a site that has or can legally create adequate water depth and access , will not impact native marine habitats, and will not impact a high manatee use area (See Table 5.05.02(C)(5)).

2.

A moderate ranking is given to a site where: there is a adequate water depth and access , no impact to a high manatee use area, but there is an impact to native marine habitat; there is adequate water depth, no impact to native marine habitat, but impacts a high manatee use area; and when the water depth is less than four (4) feet mean low water (MLW), no impact to native marine habitat, and no impact to a high manatee use area.

3.

A protected ranking is given to a site where: there is adequate water depth and access , but there is an impact to native marine habitat and there is an impact to a high manatee use area; there is not adequate water depth, there is impact to or destruction of native marine habitat, and there is impact to a high manatee use area; there is not adequate water depth, no impact to marine habitat, but there is impact to a high manatee use area; or there is not adequate depth, there is impact to marine habitat, and no impact to a high manatee use area.

4.

The exact areas will depend on site specific data gathered during the site development process reviews.

5.

Table of Siting Criteria

	Water Depth (Measured at MLW)		Native Marine Habitat		Manatee Use
	4 ft. or more	Less than 4 ft.	No Impact	Impact	Not High	High
Preferred	X		X		X
Moderate	X		X			X
Moderate	X			X	X
Moderate		X	X		X
Protected	X			X		X
Protected		X		X		X
Protected		X	X			X
Protected		X		X	X

 

For shoreline vegetation such as mangroves, "no impact" is defined as no greater than five (5) percent of the native marine habitat is disturbed. For sea grasses, "no impact" means than no more than 100 square feet of sea grasses can be impacted.

D.

Allowable wet slip densities.

1.

Preferred sites. New or expanded wet slip marinas and multi-family facilities shall be allowed at a density of up to eighteen (18) boat slips for every 100 feet of shoreline . Expansion of existing and construction of new dry storage facilities is allowed. Expansion of existing and construction of new boat ramps is allowed.

2.

Moderate development sites. New or expanded wet slips and multi-family facilities shall be allowed at a density of up to ten (10) boat slips for every 100 feet of shoreline . Expansion of existing dry storage facilities is allowed. Construction of new dry storage facilities is prohibited. Expansion of existing boat ramps is allowed. Construction of new boat ramps is prohibited.

3.

Protected sites. New or expanded wet slip marinas and multi-family facilities shall be allowed at a density of one (1) boat slip for every 100 feet of shoreline . Expansion of existing dry storage facilities or construction of new dry storage facilities is prohibited. Expansion of existing boat ramp or construction of new boat ramps is prohibited.

E.

If a potential boat facility site is ranked as moderate or protected because of its proximity to a high use manatee area, its ranking can be increased if slow speed zones are established that account for a significant portion of the expected travel route of the boats using the proposed facility. In that case, the manatee criteria in the three (3) way test (see Table 5.05.02(C)(5)) would not affect the outcome of the ranking. If such slow speed zones are not existing, the County may establish, with DEP approval, additional slow speed zones in order to mitigate the proposed additional boat traffic.

F.

Existing facilities and facilities which had state or federal permits prior to adoption of the MPP shall be exempt from these provisions, but will be subject to all other requirements of this Code.

(Ord. No. 05-27, § 3.FF)