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Building
Submission |
|
| ECO-GUIDELINES
of Pleasure
Island Limited
a Belize Corporation
IT IS INTENDED
THAT ALL PURCHASERS OF PARCELS LOCATED
ON LONG CAYE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE REEF
ATOLL SHALL PURCHASE THE PARCELS SUBJECT
TO AND BE BOUND BY THESE ECO-GUIDELINES
EFFECTING SAID PARCELS AT LONG CAYE
AT LIGHTHOUSE REEF NOW AND FOREVER
MORE. |
|
The
Developer's Mission Statement
“To
provide a significant and educational
experience for all,while
serving as a role-model for self-sustaining
environments and the
preservation of natural habitats worldwide.”
|
| PLEASURE
ISLAND LIMITED’S
COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS,
RULES,
REGULATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
GOVERNING AND REGULATING
THE LONG CAYE PRESERVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
REEF ATOLL
(“LONG CAYE”), BELIZE,
C.A. (“ECO-GUIDELINES”)
©
Pleasure Island Limited All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or in
part is expressly forbidden.
|
| |
| |
Table
of Contents |
| I.
|
INTRODUCTION
|
| |
|
| II |
ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BOARD
|
| |
|
| III |
RULES, REGULATIONS,
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE
E.R.B. |
| |
|
| IV |
PROCEDURES
FOR SUBMISSION OF PARCEL OWNER’S
APPLICATION |
| |
|
| V |
REVIEW CRITERIA
FOR APPLICATION TO THE E.R.B. |
| |
|
| VI |
RULES, REGULATIONS
AND AGREEMENTS |
| |
|
| VII |
GENERAL INFORMATION |
| |
|
|
| I
|
INTRODUCTION
|
| A |
Purpose |
| |
The Eco-Guidelines
set forth herein have been enacted
and will be amended from time
to time to accomplish the highest
standard of self-sustainability
that can be reached for the environment
and healthy continuance of Long
Caye. The goal is to create practices
for sustainable development and
dwellings that minimally affect
the environment. The parcel owners
are individuals who share Pleasure
Island Limited’s appreciation
of nature and our concerns to
maintain these important natural
habitats. To ensure the lowest
possible impact on the existing
plant and animal life, boardwalks
will be strategically located
on the Island to elevate the human
travel path as necessary. When
pathways are created for access
purposes, culverts will be installed
to maintain the water flow. All
dwellings are to be unobtrusive,
site-adaptive in design and must
be of stilt construction to further
ensure that the water flow of
the Caye is minimally disturbed
and to accommodate water lens
(water table) and tidal changes.
Virtually all lakes, ponds, lagoons,
creeks and other wetlands on Long
Caye are to remain. Creeks and
lagoons swell and the water lens
(water table) of Long Caye rises
creating new habitats. The diverse
flora and fauna of the Caye is
dependent upon the essential replenishment
of the fresh water supply provided
by the seasonal rainfall. These
Eco-Guidelines have been established
to provide policies and procedures
so we can co-exist with and have
minimal impact on the natural
habitats. These Eco-Guidelines
will maintain the natural condition
and value of Long Caye properties
and make the community a harmonious
and aesthetically pleasing Preserve.
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| |
Top |
| B |
Authority
of Pleasure Island Limited’s
Board of Directors |
| |
The Board of Directors
of Pleasure Island Limited, a
Belize Corporation after having
received approval from the Government
of Belize, Department of the Environment
(hereinafter referred to as the
D.O.E.), shall promulgate and
enact such covenants, conditions,
restrictions, rules, regulations
and agreements as it deems necessary
and proper, setting forth guidelines,
procedures and requirements to
be followed and complied with
by parcel owners at Long Caye.
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|
Top |
|
|
|
| II
|
ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BOARD
("E.R.B.")
|
| A |
Membership |
| |
In order to administer
and supervise the enforcement
of all these Eco-Guidelines and
in order to provide a systematic
and uniform review of all proposed
construction of any type and nature
on Long Caye, the Board of Directors
of Pleasure Island Limited shall
have promulgated and enacted the
Eco-Guidelines herein set forth
and do hereby establish the E.R.B.
which shall be composed of three
members. The Board of Directors
of Pleasure Island Limited shall,
in its sole discretion, appoint
all members of the E.R.B. (Each
to be a voting member). The purpose
of the E.R.B. is to provide for
a systematic and uniform review
of all proposed construction of
any type or nature whatsoever
within Long Caye and to establish
and maintain design criteria regarding
such proposed plans for building
and construction. The E.R.B. will
insure that such plans are consistent
with the quality of environmental
standards required by these Eco-Guidelines |
| |
|
| B |
Authority
of the E.R.B |
| |
1.
Require an application,
any appropriate pla
2.
Charge review fees.
3.
Approve or deny items
submitted.
4.
Halt any construction
process on site that is in violation.
5.
Distribute construction-related
rules and regulations.
6.
Determine and review policies,
procedures and criteria.
7.Revise/amend
E.R.B. rules, regulations, policies,
procedures, criteria, covenants,
conditions and restrictions subject
to approval of the Board of Directors
of Pleasure Island Limited |
| |
|
| C |
Definitions
for E.R.B. Procedures |
| |
1.
Applicant - the
individual making the submittal
to the E.R.B.; either the parcel
owner or an agent for the parcel
owner.
2.
Category of Review
- one of the five organized areas
of review criteria: Site Plan,
Survey, Floor Plan and Elevations,
Exterior Materials and Colors,
Landscape. All items submitted
must be organized accordingly
and show compliance with all review
criteria for the Category submitted,
as detailed in the chapter "Review
Criteria" in order to receive
final approval.
3.
Final Approval
- a decision by the E.R.B.
that the item(s) reviewed have
met all criteria standards and
requirements for that Category
of Review. Final Approval of both
the Site Plan Category and Floor
Plan & Elevations Category
indicate approval for construction
commencement. No site work is
allowed that pertains to a Category
of Review without receipt of plans
by Applicant with a Final Approval
stamp and the decision letter.
4.
Conditional Approval
- a decision by the E.R.B.
that the item(s) reviewed meet(s)
all criteria with the exception
of a few minor notations. The
E.R.B. has determined, in its
sole discretion, that the item(s)
may be revised and resubmitted
to the E.R.B. Chairperson or other
designated individual who may
give Final Approval upon determination
of compliance with the required
criteria. No work may commence
until receipt by Applicant of
plans with a Final Approval stamp
and the decision letter. Failure
to receive Final Approval within
the time period allotted will
result in an official decision
of denial. Dwelling additions
and re-habs may commence work
provided housekeeping items are
corrected within the allotted
time frame directed by the E.R.B.
Resubmission of these plans must
be signed and sealed and the office
of the E.R.B must write a Final
Approval letter.
5.
Denial - a decision
by the E.R.B. that the item(s)
reviewed are in conflict with
E.R.B. criteria standards or insufficient
in detailing the appropriate E.R.B.
criteria. Resubmission of revised
item(s) will require inclusion
submission of a resubmission fee
as noted in this document.
6.
D.O.E.
- Government of Belize, Department
of the Environment.
7.
Table - a decision
by the E.R.B. whereby the item(s)
reviewed are not in conflict with
the criteria; however, additional
information must be received either
by the E.R.B. or applicant in
addition to that otherwise required,
due to unusual or exceptional
circumstances.
8.
Decision Letter
- the letter from the E.R.B. Chairperson
or his or her designee that details
the E.R.B. decision regarding
any items reviewed by either the
E.R.B. or its designee.
9.
Height - that
distance between the ground and
the highest point of the roof.
10.
Lowest Finished First Floor Elevation
- that elevation of the
lowest, habitable finished floor
line.
11.
Hardship
- any unusual and extraordinary
circumstances beyond the control
of the Applicant that causes a
problem with either the construction
or use of a residence, as determined
in the sole and absolute discretion
of the E.R.B. No hardship variance
can modify any provisions of this
document, without the approval
of the E.R.B.
12.
Privacy Wall -
a wall, of which the purpose is
to provide privacy into a specific
area of a yard or residence.
13.
Dwelling
- any structure erected
for the support, enclosure, shelter,
protection or use for chattels,
persons, animals and the like.
14.
Structure - refer
to the definition of "dwelling."
15.
Accessory Structure
- any man-made item or element
including, but not limited to:
sculptures, statuary, decorative
art objects, urns, rock gardens,
etc.
16.
Ground Preparation (including
Demolition) -
starting site preparation, removal
or alteration of landscaping,
beginning alterations to or demolition
of existing dwellings or structures,
new dwelling construction, or
commencing any work on a parcel
or site prior to E.R.B. approval
thereof. |
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|
| III
|
RULES,
REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
OF THE E.R.B. |
| A |
Meetings |
| |
Meetings for the
E.R.B. are held monthly, unless
otherwise designated. The E.R.B.
Chairperson, as appointed by the
Board of Directors of Pleasure
Island Limited, chairs the meetings.
A majority of voting E.R.B. members
constitutes a quorum for any E.R.B.
meeting. Decisions are based on
a simple majority vote of those
voting members present. An E.R.B.
member may designate a proxy to
act as a temporary member in his/her
place provided that the Board
of Directors of Pleasure Island
Limited approves such designee.
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| |
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| B |
Construction
Restrictions |
| |
No construction,
demolition or alteration may be
started in any manner or respect,
including ground preparation,
until Final Approval, stamped
plans have been received by the
Applicant for both the Site Plan
Category and Floor Plan and Elevations
Category. No other category of
work may be commenced without
Final Approval being received
by the Applicant, except for surveying
and staking. "Construction"
includes demolition of an existing
dwelling and ground preparation,
as defined herein and also includes
the alteration or renovation of
an existing dwelling where 50%
or more of the floor area of the
existing dwelling is to be altered,
renovated or added. Reasonable
extensions of time may be granted
by the E.R.B. for good cause on
payment of additional fees as
provided in these Eco-Guidelines.
On failure of the Parcel Owner
to observe requirements as to
commencement and completion of
construction, the E.R.B. shall,
in its discretion, impose fines
against the Parcel Owner as provided
herein. |
| |
|
| C |
Limitations
of Responsibilities |
| |
The
E.R.B. reviews the items in a
submission package for conformance
with the criteria as detailed
in these Eco-Guidelines. The E.R.B.,
Pleasure Island Limited, its Board
of Directors, Officers and Employees
do not in any way assume responsibility
for:
1.
The structural integrity,
adequacy, safety or withdrawal.
2.
Soil erosion or
otherwise unstable soil conditions.
3.
Compliance with
applicable governmental or quasi-governmental
laws, regulations, code ordinances
or requirements.
4.
Performance or quality
of work by any contractor or subcontractor. |
| |
|
| D |
Easement
Releases |
| |
Review/approval
does not relieve Applicants of
the responsibility to obtain required
releases for any construction
in easements prior to commencement
of construction. |
| |
|
| E |
Plan
Preparation |
| |
All plans must
be professionally prepared. All
plans must be in compliance with
all appropriate government agencies.
|
| |
|
| F |
Parcel
Use |
| |
Only residential
or private recreational uses are
allowed for a parcel designated
as a Residential Parcel. However,
residential parcel owners may
operate a bed and breakfast from
a residential parcel where food
and beverages are available for
sale and consumption by guests
of the bed and breakfast. Parcels
designated as Commercial parcels
may be used for residential and
commercial purposes. A dwelling
may be constructed on more than
one parcel, only with the prior
written consent of the E.R.B.
|
| |
|
| G |
Review |
| |
The E.R.B. may
withhold approval, or refrain
from taking any action of any
items for a parcel if there are
existing E.R.B. violations associated
with the parcel, or any other
parcels owned by the Applicant,
or if any other items requested
by the E.R.B. pertaining to the
parcel, or other parcels owned
by the Applicant are past due
in receipt. |
| |
|
| H |
Fines |
| |
If the E.R.B. notifies
a Parcel Owner of a violation
thereon of any provision of these
Eco-Guidelines, and such violation
is not corrected within thirty
(30) days after notice, then the
E.R.B. may impose a fine in an
amount up to a maximum of five
hundred dollars (US$500.00), and
said fine may be re-imposed every
additional sixty (60) days, or
part thereof, that said violation
remains uncorrected. The E.R.B.
shall notify the Board of Directors
of Pleasure Island Limited of
such fines, and the Board of Directors
of Pleasure Island Limited shall
have the authority to levy an
Individual Assessment for such
fines, including without limitation,
the filing and foreclosing of
a lien against the parcel. |
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|
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| IV |
PROCEDURES
FOR SUBMISSION OF PARCEL OWNER'S
APPLICATION |
| A |
Submission
Package |
| |
The
Submission Package should include
a cover letter from the Applicant,
any appropriate fee and the item(s)
for review. All packages are to
be submitted in duplicate form.
Drawing must be submitted in English
and unit of measure must be feet
and inches. Minimum scale requested
for drawings is 3/16” =
1’. There are three (3)
Categories of Review:
1.
Survey
2.
Site Plan –
Must show position of building
on parcel with roof dimensions,
setbacks and material specifications.
Must show North position.
3.
Architectural Plans
– including:
| |
a.
Floor Plan –
Must show interior dimensions
(net area for each room)
and exterior dimensions.
Commercial buildings must
show location and description
of commercial space and
housing if applicable. Create
chart showing:
| |
i.
Gross area of building
(based on outside
dimensions).
ii.
Sum of the veranda,
stair and platform
areas (and all other
areas not considered
part of the living
or commercial area).
iii.
Sum of items IV.A.3.a.i.
and IV.A.3.a.ii considered
total building area |
b. Sections
– At least one section
of the building illustrating
highest point of building
with dimensions from ground
to top of roof and material
specification.
c. Elevations
– Front and side
d.
Floor Framing System
e.
Roof Framing System
f.
Electrical Plan
g.
Plumbing Plan
h.
Exterior Colors
and Materials
To view a sample Architectural
Plans, please visit the
Pleasure Island Limited
website.
The Submission Package for
Final Approval must include
the final drawings as intended
to be submitted to the Government
of Belize. Each Submission
Package must include a Review
Application and be complete,
(i.e. all criteria pertinent
to that Category of Review
must be included or otherwise
referenced, in order to
receive Final Approval).
The criteria are detailed
further in these Eco-Guidelines
in the chapter on "Review
Criteria." All categories
of review should be submitted
simultaneously. |
|
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|
| B |
Review
Fees |
| |
There is a two
hundred dollar (US$200.00) review
fee that includes preliminary
and final review for all review
category submissions. This must
be included as part of the initial
submission package. Fee for revision
to a previously approved plan
is one hundred dollars (US$100.00).
There is an additional one hundred
dollar (US$100.00) fee charged
to review any submission package
that has been previously denied
by the E.R.B. for reasons pertaining
to lack of adherence to the review
criteria for that Category of
Review. |
| |
|
| C |
Deadline |
| |
Deadline for receipt
of a submission package by the
E.R.B. is 11:00 a.m. on the first
day of each month. Contact the
E.R.B. by email at LongcayeLH@aol.com
for time and dates for planned
meetings. |
| |
|
| D |
Plan
Review |
| |
The E.R.B. reviews
all submission packages within
30 days of submission unless designated
otherwise. The response may be
mailed upon request. The response
consists of one set of appropriately
stamped items and the E.R.B. decision
letter. Applicants are encouraged
to submit items in a conceptual
or preliminary state when there
are questionable review items,
as such submissions could avoid
costly resubmission and/or delays
later in the review process. |
| |
|
| E |
Revised
Plans |
| |
Revisions to any
Final Approval item(s) must be
submitted for approval according
to the above-described procedures.
Revision fee due on submission
of revisions is specified in IV.B.
above |
| |
|
| F |
Variances |
| |
Under rare circumstances,
a variance to those requirements
established by the E.R.B. may
be granted to an Applicant. All
variance requests must be made
in writing. Any variance granted
is to be considered unique and
not precedent setting for future
E.R.B. decisions. A variance will
be issued based on E.R.B. judgment
of hardship, community aesthetics
or any pertinent environmental
issue and must be reasonable under
the circumstances, and subject
to any applicable provisions herein.
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| G |
Withdrawal |
| |
In the event a
submission is unqualified for
E.R.B. review, the Applicant may
withdraw the submission and any
review fee returned upon request.
|
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|
| H |
Appeal |
| |
In the event an
appeal is desired of a Denial
decision, under this document,
an Applicant may request a re-review
of submitted plans. The E.R.B.
will make its decision within
thirty (30) days of its meeting.
If the issue being appealed is
an issue of environmental significance
it may be brought to the D.O.E.
and their decision shall be binding.
All costs incurred in going before
the D.O.E. shall be the responsibility
of the Applicant. The D.O.E. decision
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