Any public or private elementary, middle or senior high school that seeks relief by a special exception shall demonstrate compliance with special exception criteria and the following supplemental standards:
(A) Site requirements. The following minimum standards shall apply:
(1) Lot size. The lot shall have a minimum lot size of four acres.
(2) Schools must be located within freestanding single use structure(s) unless the school is accessory to a library, community service, museum, performing arts, theater, cinema, church, Florida college system institution, and college or university facilities.
(3) Barrier. If the site abuts a canal or other water body, a minimum eight foot high fence shall be installed along the property line abutting the water body in order to protect the students. If the site abuts a residential property, a minimum six foot high masonry wall shall be installed along the property line abutting residential properties. In addition to the requirements above, the school must provide additional fencing and or gates on their site plan to ensure the security of the student population.
(4) Site plan requirements. A local business tax receipt shall not be issued until a site plan or site plan modification is approved consistent with these land development regulations.
(5) Off-site improvements. If through the site plan or site plan modification process the City Engineer, Broward County or state transportation related agencies deem that off-site improvements are required, such as sidewalks, traffic signalization, signage, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, transit amenities, school crossings and zones, and turning lanes, such improvements and amenities must be constructed and approved before a local business tax receipt may be issued.
(6) Operational management plan. An operational management plan should be included with the submittal. The plan should include the following information:
(a) General summary of operations on site. Including but not limited to:
1. Five year projected school enrollment with grade configurations as well as maximum student enrollment.
2. Hours of operation.
3. Student pickup and drop off times.
4. Loading and unloading procedures.
5. Onsite queuing and traffic control measures.
6. Onsite and off-site traffic improvements associated with proposal.
(b) Traffic and pedestrian operational plan showing the ingress and egress of pedestrians and all vehicles from the school site during school during school pickup and drop off hours and safe routes with crossing guards, where required, necessary to protect the students. This plan must include all onsite and off-site improvements, as outlined within this section, within a minimum of 1,000 feet from the school property.
(c) Organizational structure. An organizational chart and explanation showing the hierarchical arrangement of lines of authority, contact information of such personnel, right and duties of the organization.
(d) Traffic and vehicular stacking analysis by a registered traffic engineer based on maximum enrollment figures provided by the school upon consideration of the site plan.
(7) Applicant will be required to apply for an amendment to the special exception in the event the applicant wishes to increase maximum enrollment or change in grade configuration at the facility beyond what may have been authorized by the original special exception.
(8) The minimum regulations set forth in this section shall be applied and construed in a manner so as not to be more stringent than the latest edition of the state requirements for educational facilities.
(B) Physical environment requirements.
(1) Where recreational play areas are provided, a minimum of 50% of the total recreational play area for the school shall be located outdoors. Recreational play areas must be clearly delineated on a site plan and cannot be located within required landscape bufferyards, parking lots or areas of traffic circulation. Outdoor county or city public recreational facilities or parks located within Pembroke Pines municipal boundaries may be used to meet this requirement with proper governmental approvals.
(2) Drop-off/pick-up area. A student drop-off and pick-up area shall be depicted and dedicated to drop-off activities and will not interfere with onsite parking on the conceptual site plan, which area shall be consistent with the "Safe Routes to School Guide, Student Drop-off and Pick-up", which guide was developed by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. The appropriate length and dimensions of the dropoff area shall be identified within a stacking study.
(C) Other requirements.
(1) School crossing guards. Public and private schools are required to, and shall provide at their own expense, school crossing guards.
(2) Bus storage. Private or public schools shall not store buses on site.
(3) Timing. In order to afford sufficient time to process and secure required development orders, building permits, and local business tax receipt approval, a complete special exception use application must be filed with the Planning and Economic Development Division with all fees paid no later than 90 days after awarding of the charter for the next school year.
(4) Schools must apply for local business tax receipt in compliance with Chapter 115 of the City Code of Ordinances.
(7) Other. Any other documentation or requirements that the Planning and Economic Development Division deems relevant to the operation of such use or safety of the students or both.
(Ord. 2021-02, adopted 3-17-21; sought to be reconsidered, Commission passed 4-21-2021)