DIVISION 8. MILITARY AIRPORT OVERLAY Section 12.12.800. Purpose and intent The Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR), located in northeast Highlands County, is a training facility serving all branches of the military, the National Guard, and some civilian organizations, such as the South Florida State College Law Enforcement Academy. The Military Airport Zone (MAZ) Overlay is established to ensure that land uses and activities are compatible with the operations of the APAFR, in order to protect the health and safety of residents and to preserve the mission of the APAFR. This section contains the development standards and criteria applicable within the MAZ Overlay. Where there is conflict between these Overlay standards and other regulations of these Land Development Regulations, these Overlay standards shall be followed. Section 12.12.801. Applicability These MAZ Overlay standards shall apply to the unincorporated areas of Highlands County located within the three MAZs (MAZ I, MAZ II, and MAZ III) as shown in Figure 12.12.801.01. ARTICLE 12 RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS 12.68
Figure 12.12.801.01 Military Airport Zones Figure 12.12.801.01 indicates areas in proximity to the APAFR Military Training Facility which may be subject to potential day and night low level aircraft overflight and military training noise during training exercises. Additional property development regulations may apply. ARTICLE 12 RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS 12.69
Section 12.12.802. Development Standards A. Development within the MAZ Overlay shall be consistent with the following criteria. 1. MAZ I: For redevelopment and new development, any structure taller than 50 feet will require a variance in compliance with Section 12.03.205 of this Chapter. 2. MAZ I and MAZ II: Redevelopment and new development within MAZ I and MAZ II shall be consistent with the following: a. All structures, including towers, are not to exceed the height requirements established by the FAA for land side improvements. All airspace management and approach procedures are to take precedence in setting height limitations on all structures; b. The location of new landfills, as defined in Chapter 8.5 of this Code, shall be prohibited because these activities may induce aircraft bird strike hazards; and c. Any expansion beyond the March 2008 Conceptual Site Master Plan of the Highlands County Landfill located on the north side of Arbuckle Creek Road shall be approved through the Highlands County Site Plan Review Process and allow for review and comment by the APAFR, Sebring Regional Airport, and the Highlands County Development Review Committee. d. Outdoor lighting will be required to comply with the following: i. Street Light fixtures shall be limited to 16 feet in height, unless exempted or otherwise further restricted in these Land Development Regulations. ii. Parking lot lighting fixtures shall be limited to 25 feet in height. iii. All lighting shall be fully shielded with cut-off, non-glare fixtures directed only onto the subject site (see Figure 12.12.802.01). Non-shielded fixtures without cut-offs are prohibited. e. Non-residential Development Lighting: i. Electrical reflectors, spotlights, floodlights and other sources of illumination may be used to illuminate buildings, landscaping, signs, parking and loading areas, on any property provided the illumination is cast downward and the fixtures focus the illumination only onto the aforementioned features and prevent illumination upon adjacent properties or any public rightof-way. ii. All lighting shall be fully shielded with cut-off, non-glare fixtures directed only onto the subject site (see Figure 12.12.802.01). ARTICLE 12 RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS 12.70
Figure 12.12.802.01 Street Lighting Prohibited: No Cut-Off Permissible: Full Cut-Off f. Sign Lighting: i. Sign lighting shall be downward projecting or backlit. Lighting attached to signage shall be projected directly at the sign and downward using light shields, hoods, and cut-off type fixtures. g. Lighting Curfew: i. After closing hours and until sunrise, businesses shall turn off any unnecessary lights (those not associated with safety, security or signs). h. Prohibited light sources: i. Mercury vapor lamps and fixtures; ii. Any illumination patterns common to aviation (similar to runway guidance lighting, flood lights above horizontal plane, etc.) when used on buildings. iii. Laser source light when projected above the eaves of structures. iv. Searchlights or laser source lighting used for advertising or entertainment purposes. ARTICLE 12 RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS 12.71
(Ord. No. 13-14-11) i. Lighting exempt from these regulations: i. Exit signs and other illumination required by building codes. ii. Lighting for stairs and ramps, as required by the building code. iii. Holiday lighting for no more than thirty (30) days per calendar year. iv. Ballpark field lighting and other sporting venue lighting approved prior to the adoption of this Section. v. Low voltage landscape lighting, but such lighting should be shielded in such a way as to eliminate glare and cast downward to prevent illumination upon adjacent properties or any public right-of-way. vi. Highway and street lighting fixtures and traffic control devices on public roads. vii. Residential lighting in swimming pools and other residential water features governed by Article 680 of the National Electrical Code. j. Variances: i. Variances from the land development regulations of this article may be granted in accordance with Section 12.04.118 of this chapter. ii. Variances for the height of structures may be granted in compliance with Section 12.03.205 of this chapter. 3. MAZ I, MAZ II, and MAZ III: a. The County shall, in writing, inform all applicants of proposed development within the MAZs of potential noise nuisance and of sound-level reduction (SLR) standards that could be implemented to mitigate nuisances caused by recurring over-flight and other military training activities. b. Consistent with applicable law, all development within the MAZs shall be subject to the County's development review procedures. ARTICLE 12 RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS 12.72