Council has approved the recommendation of the Local Planning Agency to amend the city’s Dock and Shoreline Structure Code. The Dock and Shoreline Structures Code was originally adopted as part of the City’s transition land development code in 2000 and was last amended in 2014. Staff has identified changes based on recent permit requests and input from dock contractors in the area. Staff has also researched and compared dock and shoreline regulations from other jurisdictions and other regulatory agencies. These proposed changes seek to clarify and further define structural configurations of dock and other shoreline facilities in order to provide further flood and water quality protections. Changes to the code include:
• Water Quality/ Protection of Aquatic Life
• Adds dredging standards and requirements
• Benthic habitat species survey assessment for certain applications and administrative deviations
• Protection of vegetation: Enhanced vegetation protection and replacement standards, Add seagrass/marine resource protections to align with FDEP requirements
• Resiliency/Flood Control
• Seawalls: Allow seawalls to be raised, Not restricted in artificial canals, Continue protections for natural shorelines and V Flood Zones per Bonita Plan
• Continue protections for natural shorelines and V Flood Zones per Bonita Plan
• Dock placement and size specifications: No changes to size allowance, Allows multiple water oriented uses on one structure, Adds lake/boardwalk specifications
• Lessen Side Setbacks