Paradise Key South Beach is located in a Coastal Maritime Oak Hammock environment.  Plants that support this beautiful habitat have evolved over time to withstand the stresses of extreme heat, drought conditions, salt air and lack of nutrients.  Because of these extreme conditions, existing plants are sensitive to disturbance.  Re-establishing native plant cover, once damaged or destroyed, can be a challenging and slow process.  To offset the potential for loss, the preferred approach to lot development in Paradise Key South Beach will be one of “protect and preserve” in lieu of clearing and re-planting.

The Design Review Board (DRB) intends for the natural character of Paradise Key to be protected, maintained and enhanced as the community is built out.  To support this, lot owners and Design Professionals are provided with these Landscape Development Guidelines to assist the planning, design and construction process.  The Goal of these Guidelines is to reinforce the visual fabric that blends the built environment with the site’s natural landscape setting.

Preserving and enhancing the natural character of Paradise Key South Beach will rely heavily on the ability to integrate man-made improvements with the natural features of the site.  Individual lots will present a variety of opportunities that must be closely evaluated to determine the best Site Development Plan.  Considerations will include access, solar orientation, shade patterns, existing vegetation, soils, topography, drainage, building restriction lines and the relationships of indoor and outdoor use areas that create a functional and aesthetic residential property.

To assure that the vision for the natural character for Paradise Key South Beach is maintained, a Landscape Plan shall be prepared by a Landscape Architect licensed to practice in the State of Florida (Reference:  Design Review Administration for Submittal Requirements).  The plan submitted shall bear the Signature and Seal of the Landscape Architect responsible for preparing the plan.

Landscape Patterns

Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Owners are strongly encouraged to apply the principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping in planning their landscapes.  The primary objective of Florida-Friendly Landscaping is to put the right plant in the right place, i.e. selecting plants that are compatible with existing site conditions and require minimal water once established.   Water conservation is rapidly becoming the watchword for man’s activities all over the Earth, most especially here in Florida, and landscaping done properly goes a long way toward minimizing water waste.

Recommended references are:  “Waterwise Florida Landscapes” by the St. Johns River Water Management District @  sjr.state.fl.us and “Florida Friendly Landscaping” on the University of Florida’s website www.floridayards.org.

Preservation of Existing Vegetation

To the greatest extent possible, existing trees and vegetation should be preserved.  This will help maintain the strong visual character of Paradise Key that is defined by the existing native vegetation and will help minimize the need for new landscape investment by the lot owner.

Before Site Planning efforts are initiated, lot owners are encouraged to obtain a current boundary and topographic survey to include the names, sizes and locations of all existing trees of 4″ caliper and greater throughout the lot.  The limits and the character of all under-story vegetation should also be included, especially Saw Palmetto masses.  This information will allow the lot owner and Design Professionals to fully evaluate potential building layouts in consideration of the impacts or benefits to existing vegetation.

To protect declared preservation areas, precise limits of clearing and grubbing must be established and maintained throughout the construction process.  To keep construction activities within designated areas, temporary fencing is required and shall consist of 48 inch-high wood or plastic “snow fencing” attached to a framework of wood 2″x 4″s driven at least 18″ into the ground.  Fencing shall remain upright and in place throughout the entire construction process and shall only be removed when the home is substantially complete and landscaping is being installed.

Plant Palette

The native plants that exist in Paradise Key South Beach have adapted over time to withstand the extreme stress of this coastal environment.  To maintain the natural character of the site, plants selected for use in Paradise Key South Beach must be compatible with the life-sustaining elements that have allowed the existing native vegetation to thrive.  The intent is to maintain this balance as the community builds out, relying primarily upon plant species indigenous to the site, to enhance the community landscape.  A detailed list of acceptable plants is included in the accompanying plant palette.  A detailed list of acceptable plants is included in our Plant Palette, available here (pdf). Any deviation from this list will require written approval by the DRB.  Landscape improvements in rear yards and courtyards that are not in public view, may include species not on this list, but will be subject to DRB approval.

Irrigation

Irrigation for landscaping is not required.  However, a temporary irrigation system for new plantings is recommended until plants are fully established, typically a year or less.  If an irrigation system is desired, it is recommended that a drip system be utilized where water is directed only to the plants’ root zones where it’s needed.  This is a far more efficient method of distributing water to plants and wastes very little water.   Overhead spray systems are not prohibited, but if they are used, only potable water may be the water source because the iron in shallow well water often produces staining on buildings and hardscape areas.

Street Frontage/Alley Right-of-Way Landscaping

Each lot owner will participate in the creation of a unified street landscape program to reinforce the visual and natural character of Paradise Key.  Street frontage landscaping shall be provided in the area between the property boundary and the sidewalk and in the area between the sidewalk and the back of curb.  On properties abutting alleyways, the landscape zone is the area from the property boundary to the edge of the alley pavement.

Planting Requirements:

On the street frontage, the 2′ strip between the sidewalk and the property boundary shall be planted with a mix of approved species per the current approved Plant Palette.  The area between the sidewalk and the back of curb (approx. 6.5′) shall be planted with two Live or Sand Live Oaks at least 35 feet apart plus under-story vegetation in accordance with the Plant Palette selections for this zone.  Plantings shall be arranged in a naturalistic fashion emulating nature to the greatest extent possible.  In every case, consideration shall be given to the eventual size to which each of the species will grow. The Oaks shall be aligned on the center axis of the planting area.

Along alleyways, the unpaved area between the property boundary and the edge of alley pavement shall be planted with a mix of shrubs and ground covers arranged in naturalistic fashion and providing complete coverage of the ground.  Tree planting in this area is at the owner’s discretion.  On lots where existing trees have been preserved in the streetscape planting zone by the Developer, the requirement for tree planting is waived on a one-to-one credit basis.

Corner lots shall fulfill street frontage landscaping requirements per this section for each street exposure.

Front Yard Landscaping

The front yard planting zone is the area between the building line and the front property boundary.  Every effort should be made to preserve and protect all existing vegetation between the front property line and a line five feet out from the house.  All open areas within this zone, not covered by walkways or other hardscape improvements shall be landscaped either with preserved native vegetation or supplemental plantings compatible with the preserved vegetation.

Specific Requirements:

The front yard planting zone shall be planted preferably with Native plantings arranged in groupings that mimic the natural Paradise Key South Beach forest landscape.  Plantings shall include a minimum of one Canopy Tree and one Small Tree selected from the Native species listed in the approved Plant Palette.  The Canopy Tree must have a minimum height of 12 feet and spread of 5 feet and the Small Tree a minimum height of 6 feet and spread of 3 feet.  Where existing trees have been preserved, these may be credited toward the front yard tree planting requirements on a one-to-one credit basis.

The use of turf grasses within the front yard planting zone is prohibited.

Side Yard Landscaping

The side yard planting zones are those areas between the front and rear building lines contained by the adjacent side property lines and the house.  All open areas devoid of vegetation not covered by walkways or other hardscape improvements shall be landscaped.

Specific Requirements:

Side yard planting zones shall be planted with shrubs and/or groundcovers and shall include a minimum of one Canopy Tree and one Small Tree selected from the approved Plant Palette.  In the event that the space required to plant trees is restricted by the location of buildings or the driveway, required trees may be shifted to the opposing side yard planting zone.  However the total requirement for side yard tree plantings shall be provided.  Minimum tree sizes shall be the same as the Front Yard.

Turf grasses are prohibited in side yards.

Rear Yard Landscaping

The rear yard planting zone is the area between the rear building line and the rear property line.  All areas within this zone not covered by walkways or other hardscape improvements shall be landscaped.

Specific Requirements:

The rear yard planting zone shall include a minimum of one Canopy Tree and two Small Trees from the approved Plant Palette. Minimum size for each tree type shall be the same as for the front and side yard zones. Existing preserved trees may be credited toward this requirement.  Turf grass is permitted in the rear yard zone but shall be restricted to a total of 450 square feet.

General Landscaping Notes

• Tree species requirements listed as “Canopy” may also be used to fulfill “Small” tree requirements.
• Palms may be used to fulfill Small Tree requirements, but shall be restricted to side and rear yard planting zones only.
• Turf grass such as St. Augustine, Zoysia, Seashore Paspalum and Bermuda is restricted to rear yard planting zones and shall be utilized in one contiguous area and shall not exceed 450 square feet in size.