§ 60.228. Non-Residential and Multifamily Landscape Worksheet.

(a)

Purpose. The Non-Residential and Multifamily Landscape Worksheet is intended to yield an attractive yet environmentally sustainable landscape that promotes economic vitality and civic beauty. The standards provided in the Non-Residential and Multifamily Landscape Worksheet are intended to encourage the design and installation of landscape materials that minimize demand for water, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and fuel without sacrificing visual appeal.

(b)

Landscape Plan Review. All landscape plans must achieve the Minimum Required Landscape Score (MRLS) required for the proposed type and intensity of development. Applicants shall submit a completed copy of the Non-Residential and Multifamily Landscape Worksheet with the application for landscape plan approval. Conformance with the minimum standards of this Section shall be required prior to the issuance of a site development permit.

(c)

Determining Compliance with the MRLS. Compliance with the MRLS is determined as follows:

1.

Determine the Development Factor for the project from the following table:

Development Type	Floor Area Ratio	Dwelling Units per Acre	Development Factor
Office, Commercial, and/or Mixed-Use	Less than 0.75	N/A	0.4
Office, Commercial and/or Mixed Use	0.75 or more	N/A	0.3
Multifamily	N/A	Less than 24 du/acre	0.4
Multifamily	N/A	24 du/acre or more	0.3
Industrial	All	N/A	0.3
Planned Development (PD)	All	All	Add 0.05 to applicable score noted above

 

2.

Calculate the MRLS by multiplying the Site Area (in square feet) times the Development Factor.

3.

Compare the proposed landscape plan to the criteria provided for applicable Landscape Point Categories (below).

4.

Determine Project Landscape Points available for each Landscape Point Category. Project Landscape Points are awarded for achieving criteria provided for each Landscape Point Category, based on the formulas provided. Points are not required in every Landscape Point Category. Individual plants are eligible for points in multiple categories. For example, Indian Hawthorn (Raphiolepis indica) may be awarded points under Category 6b (Small Shrub), Category 6d (Drought-Tolerant or Native Plants), and Category 6e (Flowering Shrub). Plants installed in permanent immobile planters are eligible for points. Plants installed in portable planters are not eligible for points.

5.

Determine the Project Landscape Score by calculating the sum of all points from each Landscape Point Category.

6.

Compare the Project Landscape Score to the MRLS. The Project Landscape Score must equal or exceed the MRLS.

(d)

Landscape Point Categories. Landscape points may be awarded for conformance to the following Landscape Point Categories:

1.

Irrigation. Points may be awarded if irrigation system includes at least one of the following:

a.

A functioning evapotranspiration (ET) weather-based irrigation controller; or low-volume irrigation system for 75% of the irrigated area. Points available are 4% of Minimum Required Landscape Score (MRLS).

Points Available = MRLS × 0.04.

b.

Soil-Moisture Sensors. At least one functioning soil-moisture sensor is provided per micro-climate type. Points available are 3% of Minimum Required Landscape Score (MRLS).

Points Available = MRLS × 0.03.

c.

Rainwater harvesting used as water source for irrigation. To receive points, applicant must submit calculations demonstrating volume of water required and volume provided by rainwater harvesting. Points available are up to 10% of the MRLS.

Points Available = (MRLS × 0.10) × (Annual Harvested Water Volume ÷ Annual Irrigation Volume Required).

d.

Approved landscaping with no permanent in-ground irrigation system. Points available are 10% of the MRLS. Plan must include provisions for watering plants until they are established. Plan must be approved by the Zoning Official, including means of temporary irrigation.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.10.

2.

Existing Trees. Points may be awarded for existing trees retained and preserved (which are not listed as Category I or II invasive exotic plant species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council). Only trees of 6" or greater diameter at breast height (dbh, 4.5 above the ground) on the development site (and not part of a larger tract, parcel, or preserved wetland) may be counted. Points are calculated as follows:

a.

By measuring the diameter at breast height (dbh) in inches, and multiplying the total number of inches (of all trees) times 40 square feet; and multiplying that by a factor of 1.5.

b.

Relocated trees (see Sec. 60.215) may be counted as existing individual trees.

3.

New Trees. Points may be awarded for installed trees of at least 2" caliper (including street trees installed in the public right-of-way abutting the property if they are rated as having moderate or high wind resistance). Calipers of newly installed trees up to and including 4" in diameter shall be as measured 6" above the ground, and 12" above the ground for larger trees.

Points are calculated as follows:

a.

Understory Trees (min. height of 8 feet) or Palm Trees (min. clear-trunk height of 8 feet):

Points Available = # of Trees × 200 square feet × 0.4.

b.

Canopy Trees (2-inch to 3.5-inch caliper):

Points Available = # of Trees × 800 square feet × 0.5.

c.

Canopy Trees (greater than 3.5-inch caliper):

Points Available = # Trees × 800 square feet × 0.9.

d.

Flowering Trees, Fruit Trees and Nut Trees:

Points Available = # of Trees × 200 square feet × 0.1.

e.

Wind Resistance. Points may be awarded if all installed canopy trees have moderate or better wind resistance as shown in Figure 12, Approved Plant List. Points available are 1% of the MRLS.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.01.

4.

Tree Diversity. To promote biodiversity, points may be awarded for having multiple species of trees. Both preserved trees and installed trees may be counted.

a.

Different cultivars of a species shall not be counted as a different species.

b.

Points available are 0.5% of the MRLS.

Points Available = # of Tree Species × (MRLS × 0.005)

5.

Turfgrass. Turfgrass shall not exceed 60% of the landscaped areas, excluding stormwater management areas, sports fields, golf courses, and park spaces.

Points Available for Argentine Bahiagrass = Turf Area (in square feet) × 0.1.

Points Available for all other turfgrasses = Turf Area (in square feet) × 0.05.

6.

Ground Covers and Shrubs. Perennial plants, groundcovers and shrubs may be awarded points for sustainable characteristics. Plants listed as Category I or II invasive exotic plants by Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council are not eligible for points. Points are calculated as follows:

a.

Ground Covers. Eligible ground covers are listed in Figure 12, Approved Plant List.

Points Available = area of ground cover in square feet × 0.4.

b.

Small Shrubs. "Small Shrub" shall mean any plant identified as a Small Shrub in Figure 12, Approved Plant List. Plants listed as Grasses that do not naturally exceed 3' in height may also be counted as Small Shrubs. Proposed plants and existing plants to be preserved are eligible for points.

Points Available = # of Plants × 5 sq. ft. × 0.4.

c.

Medium and Large Shrubs. "Medium Shrub" and "Large Shrub" shall mean any plant identified as a Medium Shrub or Large Shrub in Figure 12, Approved Plant List, or any similar plant that naturally exceeds 3' in height at maturity. Grasses and bamboo that exceed 3' in height may be counted as Shrubs. Proposed plants and existing plants to be preserved are eligible for points.

Points Available = # of Plants × 16 sq. ft. × 0.4.

d.

Drought-Tolerant or Native Plants. "Drought-Tolerant Plant" shall mean any ground cover, small shrub, medium shrub, large shrub, vine, or grass listed in Figure 12, Approved Plant List, as having high drought tolerance; and "Native Plant" shall mean any ground cover, small shrub, medium shrub, large shrub, vine, or grass listed as a Florida native plant in the Approved Plant List. Native plants not listed therein will be accepted if they are recognized by the Florida Native Plant Society to be native to Central Florida, and shall include cultivars of those species. Plants which are native to Florida but are not naturally occurring in Central Florida may be counted as native plants only with the approval of the Zoning Official. Proposed plants and existing plants to be preserved are eligible for points.

Points Available = # of Plants × 10 sq. ft. × 0.3.

e.

Flowering Plants and Butterfly/Hummingbird Plants. "Flowering Plant" shall mean any plant generally recognized as having conspicuous flowers, as listed in the Figure 12, Approved Plant List. "Butterfly/Hummingbird Plant" shall mean any plant recognized as a nectar source for butterflies or hummingbirds, or as a host/larval plant for butterflies, as listed in Figure 12, Approved Plant List.

Points Available = # of Plants × 10 sq. ft. × 0.1.

f.

Plant Diversity. "Plant Diversity" shall mean the use of multiple species of plants other than trees. Hybrids or cultivars of the same species shall not be considered to be different species. Points are available for the number of species multiplied by 0.25% of the MRLS.

Points Available = # of Species × (MRLS × .0025)

7.

Green Roofs. "Green Roof" shall mean a building rooftop with plant cover growing in a minimum of 4" of soil. Permanent planters built into the rooftop structure may be counted. Potted plants shall not be counted.

Points Available = Area (in square feet) × 0.8.

8.

Vegetative Screens and Walls. "Vegetative Screen or Wall" shall mean a plane of vegetation trained for growth on an exterior wall or fence. The wall or fence may be a building exterior wall, freestanding wall, retaining wall, or metal fence. Wood fences shall not be counted for this credit. Plants may be trained to grow directly on the wall or by vining onto a screen or mesh attached to the wall. Area to be counted shall be the area that the plants may reasonably be expected to grow to cover.

Points Available = Vertical Surface Area (in square feet) × 0.5.

9.

Landscaping of Water Bodies and Stormwater Management Ponds.

a.

Landscaping along natural water bodies, including creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, shall have upland pollution-abatement swales and shall meet the minimum requirements provided in Section 60.226, Littoral Zone Landscaping.

b.

Upland Buffers. "Upland Buffer" shall mean an area of native plants upland of any natural water body or retained wetlands. Upland buffer area (retained or installed) must be a minimum of 25 feet in width along at least 75% of the adjacent edge to a natural water body.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.02.

c.

Landscaping of Dry Detention Ponds. "Dry Detention Pond" shall mean any artificial stormwater management basin designed to detain stormwater for a short period of time and that is normally dry between rain events. Landscaping to be awarded points shall include only non-turf areas in the bottoms of ponds or on slopes.

Points Available = Bed Area (in square feet) × 0.3.

d.

Landscaping of New Wet Detention Ponds. "Wet Detention Pond" shall mean any artificial stormwater management basin designed to constantly contain water. Points may be awarded for new ponds if the pond meets the planted littoral zone requirements of Florida Administrative Code Chapter 40C-42. Points equal to 2% of the MRLS are available.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.02.

e.

Landscaping of Existing Wet Detention Ponds. Artificial wet ponds existing prior to new construction on the site may be awarded points if at least 75% of the wet pond edge is landscaped with multiple types of native aquatic plants and trees in a band at least 6 feet in width. Points equal to 2% of the MRLS are available.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.02.

f.

Underground Stormwater Management. Provide 75% or more of the stormwater retention or detention storage volume required in underground structures. Points available are equal to 5% of the MRLS.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.05.

g.

Offsite Stormwater Management.

Provide 75% or more of the stormwater retention or detention storage volume required in offsite shared basins. Points equal to 2% of the MRLS are available.

Points Available = MRLS × 0.02.

h.

Rain Gardens. "Rain Garden" shall mean a depression or bioretention zone located to catch stormwater, and landscaped with plants (other than turfgrasses) that thrive in alternately dry and submerged conditions. Drainage swales or ditches shall not be considered to be rain gardens. The limited use of stones and similar materials may be incorporated into the rain garden.

Points Available = Bed Area (in square feet) × 0.5.

10.

Hardscape. Permeable pavements are eligible for points.

a.

Permeable Pavement. "Permeable Pavement" shall mean an at-grade exterior pavement which allows percolation of water to the soil below, and shall include pervious concrete, paving units designed to allow percolation, and other surfaces approved by the City Engineer.

Points Available = Permeable pavement area (in square feet) × 0.6.

11.

Food Cultivation. "Food Cultivation" shall mean the provision of any plants recognized as perennial plants that produce food edible to humans. Fruit and nut trees, shrubs, vines, perennial vegetables, and perennial herbs may be counted. Mature canopy spread for trees and shrubs may be counted; the surface area coverage of garden areas or small plants may be counted. Annual food plants may be counted if located in an area dedicated and set aside for continuous gardening.

Points Available = Area (in square feet) × 0.1.

(Ord. No. 2013-74, § 1, 12-9-2013, Doc. #1312091207)