Tier Overlay

Tier I - Natural Area

Sec. 130-130. Tier overlay district.

The purpose of the tier overlay district is to designate geographical areas outside of the mainland of the county, excluding the Ocean Reef planned development, into tiers to assign ROGO and NROGO points, determine the amount of clearing of upland native vegetation that may be permitted, and prioritize lands for public acquisition. The tier boundaries are to be depicted on the tier overlay district map. Lands on Big Pine Key and No Name Key shall be delineated as tier I, II, or III. Lands in the remainder of the unincorporated county, excluding the Ocean Reef planned development, shall be delineated as tier I, III, and III-A (special protection area).

Tier boundaries shall follow property lines wherever possible, except where a parcel line or distinct geographical feature, such as a canal or roadway, may be more appropriate.

The tier boundaries are designated using aerial photography, data from the Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study, the endangered species maps, property and permitting information and field evaluation. The following criteria, at a minimum, are used to evaluate upland habitats and designate boundaries between different tier overlays:

Tier I boundaries shall be delineated to include one or more of the following criteria and shall be designated tier I:

Vacant lands which can be restored to connect upland native habitat patches and reduce further fragmentation of upland native habitat.

Lands required to provide an undeveloped buffer, up to 500 feet in depth, if indicated as appropriate by special species studies, between natural areas and development to reduce secondary impacts. Canals or roadways, depending on width, may form a boundary that removes the need for the buffer or reduces its depth.

Lands designated for acquisition by public agencies for conservation and natural resource protection.

Known locations of threatened and endangered species, as defined in section 101-1, identified on the threatened and endangered plant and animal maps or the Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study maps, or identified in on-site surveys.

Conservation, native area, sparsely settled, and offshore island land use districts.

Areas with minimal existing development and infrastructure.

(1)

Purpose.