The conservation land use category is intended to recognize the importance of the Pitchlachascotee River and Orange Lake to the recreational and ecological health of the community and surrounding areas. Because of their physical character and present use, these bodies of water require special precautions in order to avoid direct or indirect consequences harmful to the public health, safety and welfare. Further, the conservation of these waters is necessary in order to prevent the degradation of the marine wetland environment found to the west of the city or increase the vulnerability of the Starkey Wellfield to saltwater intrusion. Areas designated to conservation shall remain primarily in open space. A major purpose of the conservation land use category is to protect the flora and/or fauna or areas of significant environmental/ecological importance. It is also the intent of the land use category to protect, preserve and improve the air and water quality in the City of New Port Richey and to further implement the adopted comprehensive plan of the City of New Port Richey. It is also the intent of the conservation land use category to regulate and control the future development of these areas so that their scenic, recreational and ecological importance may be preserved for future generations.

7.13.01 Permitted uses

1.

Public and private recreational uses.

2.

Passive and active public recreational uses which allow the property to remain primarily in a permeable and vegetated state. Passive public recreational uses shall mean: public parks, future park sites, scenic areas, nature trails. Active public recreational uses shall mean: public parks, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, swimming pools, and ballfields.

7.13.02 Special exception

All structures incidental to permitted uses.

7.13.03 Special development requirements

No variance may be granted for land coverage regulations.

7.13.04 Land coverage regulations

Land coverage of structures and other impermeable surfaces, including uses incidental to the permitted uses, may not exceed ten (10) percent of the land area designated as Conservation Land Use District.