Broward County Planning Council Monthly Meeting - August 29, 2024

The Broward County Planning Council held its monthly meeting on August 29, 2024, at the Broward County Government Center. The council considered a consent agenda item on school impact fees and student generation rates and took action on a motion urging the county commission to address outdated educational mitigation agreements with nine cities.

Consent Calendar

• Item R1: Local planning agency review of a change to county code updating school impact fees and student generation rates. The ordinance maintains existing school impact fee schedules, modifies student generation rates per a study (generally lower, with two minor increases), and updates the fee calculation methodology. Planning Council staff found the item consistent with the Broward County Land Use Plan. The council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of consistency.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mayor Mitch Rosenwald (Oakland Park) spoke in support of Item R1 but argued it did not go far enough. He detailed inequities from decades-old triparty agreements (impact fee plus agreements) that impose additional fees on development in nine cities, including Oakland Park. He cited a recent 136-unit development that paid over $1.94 million in mitigation fees for six estimated students, compared to the standard impact fee of $86,000. He urged the council to support releasing cities from these agreements, which he said hinder affordable housing.

Discussion Items

• Motion on Educational Mitigation Agreements: Commissioner Letitia Newbold (Oakland Park) moved to urge the Broward County Commission to request the Broward County Public Schools release Oakland Park and the other eight cities from outdated triparty agreements. The motion was seconded by Mayor Josh Levy.
  • Angelo Castillo (Mayor of Pembroke Pines, Council Vice Chair) supported the motion, noting the agreements were created in 2005 to fund new school seats during a period of overcrowding. He observed that schools are now under-enrolled and highly rated, making the agreements obsolete and a barrier to affordable housing.
  • Dr. Halen Zeman (School Board member) opposed the motion initially due to concerns about retroactivity and contract precedent, but after clarification that the motion addressed future development only, he expressed support. He noted the school board has already begun revising agreements with affected cities.
  • Commissioner Lamar P. Fisher (County Commission) supported forward relief and stated he would sponsor related action at the county level.
  • Vice Mayor Jackie Rayleigh (Coconut Creek) supported, stating the agreements discourage housing development in an area needing affordable housing.
  • Several other council members spoke in favor, emphasizing the need for housing and the outdated nature of the fees.
• Executive Director's Report:
  • Presented 2024 customer service survey results with overwhelmingly positive comments.
  • Announced Broward Next kickoff on August 15 with strong attendance; steering committee will host subject matter expert presentations starting September 12 (affordable housing focus).
  • Cancelled September 26 regular meeting due to lack of business.
  • Changed October regular meeting start time to 11:00 AM to accommodate Read for the Record day.
  • Public hearing item PH1 (proposed activity center in Fort Lauderdale) was approved unanimously without discussion.
• Informal Discussion: Mayor Castillo raised concerns about the two-mile rule for school bus eligibility, suggesting it contributes to traffic congestion. Dr. Zeman noted the school board has already begun offering free seats on underfilled buses and launched a tracking app. Council members agreed this fits within Broward Next transportation discussions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (R1): Approved unanimously.
• Motion on Triparty Agreements: Approved unanimously as a recommendation to the Broward County Commission to ask the school board to release the nine cities from the outdated educational mitigation agreements going forward (not retroactive). Staff will transmit the recommendation via a letter from the chair.
• Executive Director's Report & Action:
  • September 26 meeting cancelled.
  • October meeting rescheduled to 11:00 AM.
  • Future Broward Next steering committee meetings to be scheduled with subject matter expert presentations.
• Public Hearing PH1: Approved unanimously.