§ 126-10. Golf courses.
(a)
General provisions.
(1)
Legislative findings. The city council makes the following legislative findings of fact:
a.
The natural environment of Minneola is a unique and valuable resource enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
b.
The unique economy of Minneola is dependent upon maintaining and ensuring a high degree of environmental quality.
c.
Conservation of the natural environment is a goal set forth in the Minneola Comprehensive Plan.
d.
High standards should be expected from golf courses by maximizing environmental sensitivity throughout the life of the activity.
(2)
Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of this section is to ensure that the development of golf courses shall protect and conserve natural resources and the environment for present and future generations; be compatible and consistent with the overall economic objectives of Minneola; to minimize the adverse impacts and maximize the positive benefits of golf course development; and to ensure that these activities will be consistent with the Minneola Comprehensive Plan.
Every proposed golf course presents a unique case because existing conditions vary and no two sites are ever exactly the same. There will be specific issues based on location site characteristics and local regulations. It is essential that these issues be identified and addressed in the initial stages of planning and design.
(3)
Construction of code provisions. Nothing in these provisions shall be:
a.
Construed to limit, abridge or alter any duties, authority and responsibilities of any agency of the United States, the State of Florida or any other governmental agency having jurisdiction.
b.
Deemed to preempt other Minneola ordinances or provisions of the Minneola Code that impose stricter design or development standards.
(4)
Scope of application. The regulations set forth herein shall apply to the development and construction of golf courses within all incorporated areas of Minneola.
(b)
General standards.
(1)
Best management practices. All development activities shall employ best management practices during all phases of pre and postconstruction and operation.
(2)
Compliance with other law. All golf course development shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable federal, state, regional and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
(c)
Environmental protection standards for new development. The applicant has flexibility in determining how the following environmental principles are incorporated into the development of new golf courses. Certification programs or Environmental Resource Management Plans shall be developed for the golf course. Modifications to any certification or plan shall be submitted to the City for approval. Criteria for environmental management shall be incorporated into the project either by:
(1)
Certification programs. Private review and enforcement through a nationally recognized environmental golf course certification program approved by the mayor or designee.
(2)
Resource management plan. A resource management plan prepared by professional consultant(s) familiar with golf course design, construction and agronomy. Consultant will be approved by the mayor or designee. The resource management plan shall be a site specific comprehensive document submitted to the city detailing goals and best management practices to include, but not limited to, vegetation management, fertilizer and pesticide management, stormwater management, water quality management, irrigation management and general management. The management plans shall be updated every five years and submitted to the city. Should the applicant choose to prepare and submit a resource management plan the following issues shall, if applicable, be addressed by the plan:
a.
Identification of natural features (Florida Natural Areas Inventory), wildlife habitat areas and environmentally sensitive areas as defined by appropriate state agencies shall be identified and approved early in the site evaluation process. The preservation of these areas shall be a basis for site design of the course.
b.
Every effort shall be made to route the golf course in such a way as to minimize the need to alter or remove existing native landscapes, trees, and vegetation. The golf course routing shall identify areas which provide opportunities for restoration/enhancement of valuable habitat in the event of disturbance.
c.
As part of the final approved development plan the resource management plan will identify areas for restoration, replanting, or enhancement of riparian habitat to re-establish wildlife migration corridors and linkages between fragmented habitat areas. Protection and planned restoration/enhancements for such areas during construction and ongoing operation is required. The resource management plan shall protect drainage systems that support retained vegetation.
d.
Any areas out of play should be utilized to retain or restore existing native vegetation, where possible. The design shall provide for restoration or enhancement of environmentally sensitive areas by established buffers or setting unmaintained or low-maintenance areas aside within the site.
e.
A plan shall be provided for removal and long-term maintenance of invasive and exotic plants as specified in local and state regulations.
f.
Appropriate erosion control measures shall be established in conformance with the city grading requirements, state regulations, and best management practices prior to commencement of activities.
g.
The site selected should lend itself where possible, to use of natural terrain (avoids location of golf course, clubhouse facilities, or parking lots in an area requiring substantial alteration of the existing terrain or vegetation (i.e. filling of ravines, flattening hills, etc.).
h.
Areas within the driplines of trees designated for preservation shall be protected by appropriate barriers during grading operations. Preservation trees shall be detailed in the resource management plan. Preservation trees which die or are damaged during construction or by post construction activities shall be replaced per approved ratios addressed in code.
i.
All roads shall be located and designed so as to minimize environmental impacts (e.g. length, width, location, grading, stream and wetland crossings, and visual impact).
j.
Equipment utilized in the maintenance of golf courses and associated development shall be designed, used, maintained and stored in such a way to eliminate or minimize potential for pollution.
k.
Retain as much natural vegetation as possible and enhance vegetation through supplemental planting of native trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation, such as along fairways and out of play, to provide wildlife habitat and along watercourses supporting fish and other water dependent species. All proposed natural areas shall be identified.
l.
Include future maintenance requirements of all golf course design features. Low-maintenance features that require less intensive management are preferred.
(d)
Water resources requirements. Water resource issues shall be addressed throughout the planning, development, construction and life of the golf course.
(1)
Water conservation.
a.
Identify goals in the Resource Management Plan for conservation of water resources.
b.
The use of groundwater for irrigation shall follow water management district rules.
c.
Wells used for irrigation purposes should be installed and developed from the upper Floridan Aquifer.
d.
Prior to approval of any new golf course:
1.
A strategic plan shall be prepared for the course to avoid or minimize potential adverse impact to surface water or groundwater, and incorporate water reuse and or use of reclaimed water, where feasible. Suitable soils, groundwater hydrology, vegetative cover, adequate storage for treated effluent and other factors will all influence the feasibility of water reuse.
2.
Such a plan shall be implemented upon opening of any new course.
3.
All plans shall be submitted to the mayor or designee for approval.
e.
In areas of significant recharge construction techniques or soil amendments on greens and tees shall be used as a technique to reduce excessive irrigation.
f.
Depending on site conditions, wells and other irrigation sources, if required, shall be designed to pump directly into the irrigation system.
g.
Golf Courses must comply with all Florida Department of Environmental Protection and water management district water conservation requirements and shall make water conservation a critical priority in course design. The requirements include not only the layout of turf areas but in turfgrass selection as well as plant palette, water conserving appliances, fixtures and systems in all course buildings and facilities.
h.
The utilization of new and innovative technologies that provide highly efficient water usage, as well as the application of proven technology to decrease overall water use shall be encouraged. The course irrigation system shall be designed or modified to provide controls for proper water management and conservation to minimize overwatering such as soil moisture sensors or weather stations.
i.
Irrigation system coverage must be accurately mapped to determine wetted area and irrigation rates. Irrigation shall be responsive to existing conditions, rather than on a set schedule. The plan shall also include programs to regularly inspect for leaks and to monitor usage. Site soil moisture or meteorological monitoring capability shall be used to minimize water use. Drawings in AutoCAD will include all irrigated areas, flow rates, actual spray patterns, etc. for all heads and zones.
j.
Areas not required to be irrigated shall be eliminated from the irrigation plan. These would include surface waters, impervious parking areas, and areas outside the course boundary. Greens area shall be irrigated by individually controlled heads. Golf course irrigation shall be managed by a full time, trained superintendent.
k.
Areas where irrigation is required shall be identified and prioritized in order to reduce routine irrigation and plan for periods of water shortages.
l.
A drought contingency plan shall be prepared that would identify areas where irrigation can be cut back and identify alternate sources of water.
m.
All ancillary irrigation systems not directly associated with actual course irrigation shall be automatic.
n.
Stormwater retention systems should be considered in the design as features of the course to help provide for both the short and long term irrigation needs of the course.
o.
New water sources adequate to supply future golf course demands shall be identified. All efforts shall be made to use alternative sources such as reclaimed water.
p.
If the existing course is part of a residential development, then a best management practices document shall be developed for homeowners. For the education of homeowners, the manual should provide common sense applications that will reduce the risk of pollution and, in many cases, improve the health and appearance of the yard.
(2)
Water quality.
a.
Water quality monitoring plan shall be established and submitted for approval by the mayor or designee to insure on-going protection of ground and surface water quality.
b.
Identify goals in the resource management plan for protection of water quality.
c.
A water quality plan shall be prepared for the course to avoid or minimize potential adverse impacts to surface water or ground water. This plan may include directing flow from underground drains to areas of permeable soils to ensure adequate filtration.
d.
The project shall employ established best management practices (BMPs) to control nonpoint source (stormwater) runoff pollution.
e.
Berms, vegetative strips, grease traps, or other recommended technologies shall be used in parking areas for drainage controls to minimize pollution to nearby riparian areas and surface waters.
f.
Buffer strips, oil/grease separators (skimmers) or other recommended techniques shall be used for parking area drainage systems depending on site design. Pretreatment required if near wetlands or water bodies.
g.
Grease traps, oil/grease and water separators and other recommended technologies for facilities such as golf cart maintenance and golf cart wash areas to prevent untreated runoff from entering surface waters shall be used.
h.
All wellhead protection requirements shall be strictly adhered to.
i.
A contingency plan shall be provided for use in the event that monitoring shows a developing problem.
(e)
Habitat.
(1)
The golf course design shall minimize stream and wetland crossings. Stream and wetland crossings shall be designed in such a way as to minimize erosion and harmful effects to riparian and wetland habitats and recognized corridors.
(2)
Bridges shall minimize alteration of the wetland environment.
(3)
Design shall create and/or restore riparian habitat, especially in previously degraded habitat areas.
(4)
The course design shall employ vegetated buffer strips to mitigate impacts to riparian corridors and other critical habitat which may result from surface drainage of the golf course, cart paths, and other developed areas. In certain circumstances where riparian vegetation has been degraded or does not exist, out of bounds or out of play areas may be planted with appropriate native vegetation and may be located in closer proximity to the watercourses and wetlands. The length and width of the buffer strips should be based upon the type of habitat, the projected impacts from the golf course, consistency with the comprehensive plan and applicable land development regulations or as approved by mayor or designee.
(5)
Cart paths shall be graded and swales located such that runoff from them does not flow directly into any natural water body.
(6)
Habitat for wildlife species (e.g., bats, bluebirds, purple martins, etc.) that help control pests shall be protected. Additional habitat for these beneficial species should be created whenever feasible and environmentally desirable.
(7)
Natural habitat shall be managed to maintain healthy populations of wildlife and aquatic species.
(f)
Vegetation.
(1)
Identify goals in the resource management plan for the management of vegetation and landscaping.
(2)
All plans not prepared by a golf course architect shall be approved and signed by a certified landscape architect.
(3)
Plant species that are best suited to the local area shall be selected. Native, naturalized or drought-tolerant plants shall be used wherever possible.
(4)
The design of the course and related facilities shall maximize the preservation of clusters or significant stands of trees, and otherwise preserve "interior" habitat areas.
(5)
Where tree removal is necessary, planned or damaged native tree species shall be replanted as specified in chapter IX, land development regulations [chapter 110, Landscaping and Tree Protection]. Preserved trees as designated in the resource management plan that are damaged or die shall require replacement per the code.
(6)
Irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid adversely impacting sensitive vegetation.
(7)
Trees that are removed or damaged as a result of grading or irrigation, must be replaced at a ratio determined by chapter IX, land development regulations [chapter 110, Landscaping and Tree Protection].
(8)
Barriers (curbs, signage, fencing, vegetation, etc.) shall be established to discourage cart and pedestrian travel off paths located within or adjacent to sensitive habitat areas.
(g)
Pollution prevention.
(1)
Identify goals in the resource management plan for the management of pollutants.
(2)
An integrated pesticide management plan that follows state approved best management practices shall be submitted and reviewed by the mayor or designee prior to operation. State-submitted BMP plans are acceptable.
(3)
Storage and use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers will be limited to and in conformance with all established state and federal regulations, and with other permitting procedures of relevant local, state, and federal government agencies. All pest control and nutrient products shall be stored in a manner that minimizes worker exposure and eliminates the potential for point and/or non point source pollution. Storage of pollutant materials (i.e. pesticides, gas & oil, or other state regulated substances) shall be in lined or protective containment.
(4)
A program will be established for insuring maintenance of culverts, drain inlets, energy dissipaters, etc. In conformance with city grading requirements, state and local stormwater regulations, and best management practices.
(5)
All plant protectant products shall only be applied by state-certified applicators or under the supervision of a trained licensed applicator.
(6)
Advanced technology/monitoring equipment shall be used to insure minimal application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
(7)
Use of proven methods for minimizing nutrient leaching, such as slow-release fertilizers, fertigation, foliar sprays, irrigation rates that minimize percolation, or combinations of these techniques, in addition to the least mobile pesticides available is required. An approved pesticide management program shall be submitted on a yearly basis. This shall conform to all state and federal guidelines. Pesticides shall be used at the smallest rates of active ingredients to accomplish desired results. Pesticides are defined as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and nemacides.
(8)
Drought, pest, and disease resistant grass species suitable for golf shall be selected.
(9)
Natural buffer areas shall be free of invasive species and maintained by minimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
(h)
Land use and open space
(1)
Golf courses should be designed and maintained to provide aesthetic and/or functional linkages between other spaces to create an open space network throughout the community, if applicable.
(2)
Golf course locations that encourage an open space relationship with other planned or existing regional open spaces shall be encouraged.
(3)
Designated golf course natural areas may satisfy the required open space regulations for the development.
(Ord. No. 2002-23, § 2, 9-10-2002)