[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6385575,"mediaKeyId","2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c","parentId",2119766,"title","Titusville commission recommends banning synthetic plants and artificial turf in landscaping","audioSeconds",1626,"startMs",5799000,"endMs",7425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c&start=5799&end=7425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c/thumbnail_5799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6385575/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Titusville-commission-recommends-banning-synthetic-plants-and-artificial-turf-in-landscaping","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385575-fd8ba4a8f8e3ab55c32fb69101930163/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=WEQgCbLLgp2vLWJ0JFMlwqFa6nwZHHsFc4XjiVfjd82XPkx6wmeIsMd-aZ4LG-ka7BAcP9B1NyK3QxUSzqsORdFY2dO6gBvl8UL81lUVgK0YLU9skC~RbhyASe9ugLgnufxK8eMT3YqtPyxX0KrETSizgt8s6iZwGOwPCk3yJbWpxJGnC-Mz7G7J1bNzqTLUqvk1ZZOcfGAxlewWcKyJB2aV8Y-NEfAT5naYLYLrdI1DyJ9LaKQiHSIm2TSnnlUvnBHJ4bfX0b8k16LlLG9r3pjpXykL5cA~TriLOU90rohzhLi49ZrW6wCtuf90XLOra8JOKq0GkvGUtJZdkphbQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Titusville","date","2025-01-16T13:22:32Z","article","The Titusville Environmental Commission voted to recommend that City Council prohibit synthetic plant materials — explicitly including artificial turf — in landscaping and yards.

City staff presented a draft artificial-turf ordinance that would have allowed limited, regulated uses of synthetic turf in areas not required to meet minimum landscape-planting requirements. Commissioners and multiple public commenters contested that approach, citing research and environmental concerns including plastic degradation, PFAS/PFOS contamination risks and sterilization of soil under replacement synthetic surfaces.

Commission discussion focused on whether the current municipal code’s phrasing — which staff said had been interpreted as prohibiting synthetic materials only when used in lieu of required plantings — left a loophole permitting artificial turf above the minimum landscaping standards. Commissioners resolved to eliminate that ambiguity.

The commission voted to delete the proposed Section 30-325 in its entirety and to retain a single, plain-language provision in the plant-materials code: synthetic or artificial material in the form of trees, shrubs, vines or ground covers (such as artificial turf) are prohibited in landscaping and yards. Commissioners also asked staff to preserve, separately, the technical criteria that staff had compiled in case City Council prefers to limit or condition any narrow exceptions.

The roll-call vote was unanimous. Staff said the commission’s amended recommendation and proposed whereas language will be forwarded to City Council for either input or advertisement for a public hearing.

Why it matters: A prohibition would prevent future approvals of artificial turf as a substitute for live plantings and would affect pending or future variance requests and applications for single-family yards, commercial landscaping and other exterior projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Titusville Environmental Commission Meeting — 01/15/2025 - 5:30 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","After months of requests and public testimony, the Titusville Environmental Commission voted to recommend that City Council prohibit synthetic plants — including artificial turf — in landscaping and yards; staff will forward the commission’s redlined language.","taxTitle","Titusville, Brevard County, Florida","taxId",55029,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6385578,"Commission backs tree-canopy requirement for multifamily development, narrows exclusion to properties 2 acres or smaller",1387,3069000,4456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c&start=3069&end=4456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c/thumbnail_3069000.jpg","/articles/6385578/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Commission-backs-tree-canopy-requirement-for-multifamily-development-narrows-exclusion-to-properties-2-acres-or-smaller","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385578-a1627848ce0afe1a740eb94cef1c2894/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=f6F~on~6-1yrOg~wBC~Nhs46hyWSUHLDUSRtQu6~DhR4m4BKI0nv5jNz7hHQ3N2FEmFgfY6sA5JWy~IRtdKL6fJ3rIjlbgYrVPU1V6aw2zjgcv8n6gJuTodGhueMHtMcabS1seHlmVtgNU0UW5F7KtKvfatXk93clKQ-tJ0fMtP14c34BYxq7f~350ZwVFZKEsFTx7UlOXQPZLPCh6cio4YxHYATAe~wqr0mnu0LQ-G6F-u4byvgIaVnVaS172kpuSe1PWoW8isPLw9Wj6wOOofcmDBTOBux8FClJ-w8XW19Ou-7sAcVSlOcL76zBJpix~ju9lTekfv5jtKme4BOPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Titusville Environmental Commission voted to recommend changes to the city’s tree-preservation/canopy ordinance that would extend minimum canopy requirements to multifamily and townhouse projects while carving an explicit exclusion for small infill parcels.

Staff presented the draft canopy and multifamily ordinance language and reported that City Council had directed staff to identify barriers to infill and to propose remedies. The draft applied minimum canopy requirements to residential subdivisions, townhomes and multifamily projects but included a parenthetical exclusion for single duplex units and properties meeting characteristics listed in Comprehensive Plan policy 1.77.

Public commenters urged the commission to make the exclusion explicit by adding a maximum parcel size for the exemption. A commenter identified in the record as a resident on Maryland Avenue recommended adding a 2-acre cap for the exemption — pointing to policy 1.77’s references to 2-acre thresholds — so that “single duplex units on properties 2 acres or less and multifamily projects on properties 2 acres or less” could be excluded while larger parcels would remain subject to canopy rules.

Commissioners debated the language and the staff position that including duplexes in canopy requirements could discourage small infill development. Commissioners concluded clarifying the exemption by referencing a 2-acre size limit would align the ordinance with the comprehensive-plan intent and reduce ambiguity about what qualifies as an infill exception.

A motion to forward the canopy ordinance to City Council with the recommended clarification (limiting the exemption to parcels two acres or less that meet Comprehensive Plan policy 1.77 infill characteristics) passed by roll call. Commissioners were unanimous in the recorded vote.

The ordinance will next be presented to City Council for consideration at a public hearing; staff said the item will be scheduled for council input or formal advertisement depending on council’s procedural preference.

Why it matters: Extending canopy requirements to multifamily construction will affect how developers design site plans and may reduce large-scale tree canopy loss associated with recent multifamily and townhome proposals in Titusville.","After public comment and staff briefing, the commission voted to recommend the city proceed with a multifamily tree-canopy amendment but to limit the ordinance’s exclusion so that only single duplexes and multifamily projects on properties 2 acres or less (meeting comp-plan infill criteria) are exempt.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6385581,"Residents press commission to stop operating fountains during sewage events; commission schedules policy discussion",744,2213000,2957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c&start=2213&end=2957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c/thumbnail_2213000.jpg","/articles/6385581/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Residents-press-commission-to-stop-operating-fountains-during-sewage-events-commission-schedules-policy-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385581-0d01b35461d17a252ba1a3170de1a388/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=Q5nd0o~BteNj3KSEeWkf9uZJsB2mHImDDaaBkhUxDHsDdky8lqSP93BY2N7ITW05CR8130Kjw8IA5UwTMD~bua31vsnx0bb-9LuivY2YBt5iW2SDAwANsHLUFJKRWak-EtU-ry~k0-oLhLmxrGpPFPa3ipceaJLf80h2KbcfYuSPhMUgeeqIJgmRwNJobKTmzi4whaeuLaq8TKKe8OmvqfqBZM8fC4t17ViybJl9CePmVtdXMijJrKhPRE6gkOmPEXbhDiL0~IJ~uPcfg~dojwoK8kg1gS1gyGEG8U-iw1rn8rCxH8G6y6NA9pHebc1Ao-Df9qyTLzCl4kLThJC-Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A series of public commenters told the Titusville Environmental Commission that decorative fountains in city ponds spray polluted water during sewage events and should be shut off until the water is clean.

Resident Stan Johnston, who identified himself as a professional engineer, said the city’s de facto practice of leaving fountains running in contaminated ponds repeatedly exposes people — including “women, children, babies” — to sewage aerosols and called for a written City policy to automatically turn fountains off in the event of a sewage discharge. Several commenters named specific pond locations they said had experienced problems.

Commission members and staff acknowledged prior complaints and said public works and city leadership have addressed some incidents; Vice Chairwoman Laura Lee Thompson said staff would provide additional details after the meeting. Commissioners discussed technical alternatives and noted that aeration “bubblers” can oxygenate and circulate more of a pond’s water column at substantially lower cost than tall decorative fountains, which primarily oxygenate only the surface.

Commissioners agreed to add a dedicated agenda item at the next meeting to examine fountain functionality and the use of bubblers in stormwater ponds. Staff was asked to draft a possible policy for review that could direct public-works operations (for example, turning fountains off when a confirmed sewage spill occurs, and using bubblers for circulation when appropriate).

No formal city policy was adopted at the meeting. The commission’s next meeting will include a staff presentation and preliminary options for a draft policy to present to City Council if the commission decides to recommend action.

Why it matters: City ponds feed the Indian River Lagoon system; practices that disperse contaminated water into the air or public spaces can raise public-health and environmental concerns and are within the commission’s advisory scope.","Residents urged the commission to push City Council and public works to turn off decorative fountains when sewage enters ponds. Commissioners agreed to discuss fountain functionality and use of bubblers at the next meeting and asked staff to develop a policy option.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6385586,"Titusville environmental commission tables natural-resources public-engagement report",591,1293000,1884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c&start=1293&end=1884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119766-a3b2658e74779ae8dd3c85b7a0c9bf0c/thumbnail_1293000.jpg","/articles/6385586/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Titusville-environmental-commission-tables-natural-resources-public-engagement-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385586-aeeb99e784388da9d2f1ab7259e25425/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207661&Signature=bYAJoxanp8cjB5z7qlodAurj8R9n0My8I2KdlQpLjVLinIl~sn0zuGNwHlzbQQsXb2m5uqEdo0CI39zn-uOYJ1y4NMpZ4EionHM2gQjpBu4s4uaVRVLhRwE37km2aTOo1GObJgR~ilgzIikKbD5QauuPFslZUd5FlW7~NPFsrkEuHS41p5W3OEqdo~5m2WCr3HFDAwF0mEc13Kr~fxs3WCtg99XLw9-PShirArlw8q-ccuIjdiZFdewm9VqQjenmQuOLStdt5f2TpvXW2-mcJecbU9tj4eJcgMFE1hcUyh2VdtRBfelqCFclJm9IyT8KpCSwP999xN-evFCUxuX2YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Titusville Environmental Commission on Thursday voted to table formal acceptance of a draft Natural Resources Public Engagement Project report to give recently seated commissioners time to review the full packet.

Commissioners and staff said the draft — which summarizes a yearlong public-engagement process and lists strategies for addressing Indian River Lagoon water quality, stormwater, native landscaping and related matters — was distributed to three newly appointed commissioners the night before the meeting and those members asked for additional time to read and annotate it.

City planning staff described the report as a “blueprint for a long-term strategy” rather than a regulatory plan, saying it ties public recommendations to possible implementation paths including comprehensive-plan policy changes, code amendments, sustainability action-plan measures and grant-seeking. Staff highlighted a matrix of strategies, suggested implementation steps and associated comprehensive-plan policies and sustainability action-plan links.

Commission members who joined the board this month said they had not had adequate time to review the 86-page packet. Member Robert Walter moved to table the item to the next meeting; Member Michael Browning seconded. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous support to table the report.

The commission requested staff return the document with time for new members to submit written comments and for the commission to consider photos and cover-page edits requested by a former chair. Staff also noted a new sustainability coordinator, Lily (Lily introduced herself later in the meeting), will assist with the project work.

Documents and public comments on the report will be re-noticed for the commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

What’s next: staff will place the natural-resources report back on the commission agenda, with time for line-by-line discussion and members’ suggested edits.","The Titusville Environmental Commission voted to table final action on the Natural Resources Public Engagement Project draft recommendations so new commissioners can review the full packet; staff will return the document at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Titusville commission recommends banning synthetic plants and artificial turf in landscaping

Commission backs tree-canopy requirement for multifamily development, narrows exclusion to properties 2 acres or smaller

Residents press commission to stop operating fountains during sewage events; commission schedules policy discussion

Titusville environmental commission tables natural-resources public-engagement report