Alternative Landscape Plan

Overview:

In lieu of a landscape plan, an applicant may demonstrate the intent of this Section 7.3.D.4 can be more effectively met, in whole or in part, through an Alternative Landscape Plan. The Alternative Landscape Plan shall be reviewed and approved by the DRC, then submitted in accordance with Sec. 7.3.D.2. If approved, an alternative landscape plan shall replace a landscape plan meeting the express terms of this section. The alternative landscape plan shall delineate and identify the deviations requested from the provisions of this section. In reviewing proposed alternative landscape plans, the DRC shall give favorable consideration to landscape design which preserves and incorporates existing native vegetation in excess of minimum standards or demonstrates innovative use of plant materials and improves site design. [Ord. No. 97-63]

The following steps outline how a alternative plan is accepted, reviewed and approved by the Zoning Division:

1. Preliminary meeting with David Flinchum and DRO Project Manager to review the request and conceptual design. The applicant will be provided direction and specific comments on what will be required on the Draft Plan to be submitted under step #2, listed below. If the applicant wishes to expedite the review process and skip step #2 below,, the Alternative Application and Plan should be brought to this preliminary meeting. If the concept and plan is acceptable to staff, David Flinchum will fax the Zoning Division recommendation to the applicant which will be affixed to the final Alternative Landscape Plan for DRO certification.

2. Applicant submits a Draft Plan to the Development Review Section, which will be forwarded to David Flinchum and Development Review Officer (DRO) Project Manager. David Flinchum and Project Manger will review justification and plan to ensure comments given to applicant in the preliminary meeting under step #1 have been addressed. If the draft plan is acceptable, David Flinchum will forward the Zoning Division recommendation to the applicant. The final Alternative Landscape Plan shall have the Zoning comments attached to the plan.

3. The final Alternative Landscape Plan is submitted to DRO for Signature ONLY on the applicable deadline for the next available meeting. Please see the official Zoning Calendar for specific deadline dates to ensure you allow adequate time for staff to review your project prior to certification.

4. The DRO final plan maybe combined on a Site Plan/Alternative Landscape Plan, if staff determines, all the applicable information can be easily read on one single plan. The Zoning Division will review the final plan at the meeting and the applicant will be notified in writing as to whether or not the plan was certified or requires any final modifications.

The Alternative Landscape Plan must clearly label the following:

1. Required Code Provision: Trees 30' on center along right of way

Proposed: Relocate 20, 12 foot trees to the interior parking lot

Alternative Factor: The relocated trees to the parking lot will enhance view into the site while and buffer the parking lot from the street and structures on site.

2. Graphics and written notations must be used to clearly indicate the alternative factors on the plan.

3. The alternative plan does not relieve the applicant from submitting a signed and sealed landscape plan at the time of applying for a building permit.

1. Background Information:

This information is to act as a historical record for the project, as well as those circumstances which may have resulted in the submittal of a landscape alternative plan. For example the project is a legal non-conforming use, the site has unique site constraints or features which the plan will address. Also, general plan information such as project location, zoning petition number, type of project, acreage, lot coverage, parking, site constraints, etc.

2. Code Alternatives :

This information should be clearly noted on the plan. All applicable notes and graphics should be shown on the plan to clearly indicate the denoting modifications to code sections.

Please use the following format to identify deviations from code provisions:

 

3. Alternative Factors:

This assessment is to justify approval of the deviation from the literal interpretation of the code provisions. The applicant must clearly justify how the proposed alternative(s) will satisfy the general intent of the code provision which is to be altered. For example, to relocate 15 right of way buffer trees to the parking lot to enhance views from the street to the lake. In addition, to these quantitative factors, there may also be qualitative factors for example: location of plant materials, utility easements restricting planting in buffers, which may need to be addressed. It is important that the information provided is self explanatory for the field inspector to interpret at the time of final inspection.

4. Staff Recommendation:

The Zoning Division Staff will review the proposal and recommend approval, approval with conditions or denial. The Zoning Staff will fax the recommendation to the applicant who will add to the form and attach it to a sticky back to the plan. The final plan is approved DRO.

For further information contact:

Palm Beach County Zoning Division
2300 N. Jog Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33411

(561) 233-5200