Broward County Planning Council Meeting – April 23, 2026

The Broward County Planning Council held its regular meeting and public hearing on April 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 422 of the Broward County Governmental Center. The meeting began with a proclamation honoring retiring Assistant Executive Director Deanne Von Stetina for her nearly 24 years of service. The council unanimously approved a consent agenda, the FY 2027 budget, and multiple land use plan amendments, including a major golf course redevelopment in Margate and the first public hearing on the seven-year BrowardNext text update. The meeting also featured public testimony on environmental remediation concerns and opposition to converting recreation/open space to residential use.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Final Agenda for April 23, 2026, including additional agenda material.
• April 2026 Plat Reviews for Trafficways Plan Compliance – Approved.
• Approval of Summary Minutes from February 26, 2026 – Approved.
• Attendance Record/Excused Absence Requests – Excused absences for Dr. Mireidy Fernandez (surgery).
  • Motion by Vice Chair Castillo, second by School Board Member Zeman. Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item PH 3 (PC 26‑4 – Margate Carolina Club): Allen Kopelman, a Fairway Estates resident, expressed concerns about arsenic and petroleum contamination on the former golf course. He asked for assurances that remediation would protect surrounding families, children, and pets from airborne contaminants during construction. The applicant’s attorney, Scott Backman, acknowledged the contamination and stated a Remedial Action Plan is being prepared in coordination with Broward County Environmental Permitting, and that no construction permits would be issued until remediation is complete and the existing Declaration of Restrictive Covenants is amended to allow residential use.
• Item PH 5 (BrowardNext Amendments): Kim Heisey, a Parkland resident, spoke against the proposal to permit affordable housing on Recreation and Open Space lands (west of US 1). She argued that such proposals normalize the loss of green space and urged the council to send a firm “no” to protect Broward’s remaining open space.

Discussion Items

• Item R 1 – FY 2027 Planning Council Budget Proposal: The Executive Committee recommended approval of the $1,615,450 budget (a 7.6% increase from FY 2026). Staff explained that 92.6% of the budget covers personnel costs, including Florida Retirement System and health insurance increases. The budget reflects a succession plan due to the Assistant Executive Director’s retirement. No operating expense increases were requested. A 10% reduction exercise was discussed but not adopted. The council approved the budget.
• Item R 2 – Counsel’s Report: Legal counsel Andrew Maurodis provided an update on the 2026 Florida legislative session, highlighting:
  • HB 399 (Land Use and Development Regulations) – new restrictions on local governments’ use of “compatibility” to deny permits, requiring objective standards and identification of mitigation measures.
  • SB 1434 (Infill Redevelopment Act) – mandates administrative approval for qualifying parcels.
  • Revisions to the Live Local Act (CS/CS/HB 1389) – expanding preemptions to property owned by counties, municipalities, school districts, and religious institutions, and prohibiting local governments from using setbacks or stepbacks to restrict height.
  • SB 182 (education bill) – includes provisions for administrative approval of private schools with 150 or fewer students in commercial areas.
  • Federal Executive Order on affordable housing.
• Item R 3 – Executive Director’s Report: Barbara Blake Boy gave brief remarks and noted the upcoming retirement of Deanne Von Stetina.
• Public Hearing Items PH 1, PH 2, PH 4 (PCT 26‑3 Environmental Justice, PCNRM 26‑1 Wetlands Map, PCT 26‑9 Fort Lauderdale Uptown Activity Center): Approved per staff recommendation. No public testimony was offered. Items were moved en bloc by Vice Chair Castillo and seconded by Mayor Hardin.
• Item PH 3 (PC 26‑4 – Margate Carolina Club): Staff presented the amendment to change 81.7 acres of Recreation and Open Space to Irregular (7) Residential and Commerce within the existing Carolina Club Dashed-Line Area. The amendment does not add new dwelling units to the Land Use Plan (4,453 units already permitted; 1,070 unbuilt). The applicant voluntarily committed to restrict development to 540 dwelling units and 24,800 sq ft of commercial use, and to preserve approximately 67 acres as private park/open space. Traffic analysis with the voluntary cap showed no adverse impacts. School capacity was sufficient. The council discussed environmental remediation concerns raised by a resident; School Board Member Zeman requested that the County Commission receive explicit answers before final approval. Commissioner Fisher agreed to include environmental briefings. The motion to approve without a second public hearing passed unanimously.
• Item PH 5 – BrowardNext Land Use Plan Text Amendments (PCT 26‑4 through PCT 26‑8): The council considered the seven-year update covering Highlighted Regional Issues, Policies, Definitions, Permitted Uses, and Recommended Practices. Staff recommended approval with modifications: excluding the proposed allowance of affordable housing on lands designated Recreation and Open Space (west of and including US 1) – this was the steering committee’s morning recommendation. The council also approved clarification of Policy 2.16.3, deletion of the Water Storage definition, and updates to the Aircraft definition. Public comment was heard opposing the housing-on-open-space provision. A motion to approve all five amendments per staff recommendations passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation Honoring Deanne Von Stetina: The council declared April 23, 2026, as “Deanne Von Stetina Planning Council Appreciation Day” in recognition of her upcoming retirement after 24 years of service.
• FY 2027 Budget Approved: The Planning Council endorsed the $1,615,450 budget (preliminary allocation from OMB) and recommended County Commission approval.
• Margate Land Use Amendment (PC 26‑4) Approved: Permits redevelopment of the closed Carolina Club golf course with up to 540 townhomes and 24,800 sq ft of commercial uses, subject to voluntary caps and environmental remediation (including arsenic and petroleum cleanup). Existing Declaration of Restrictive Covenants must be amended, and a Remedial Action Plan approved before construction.
• BrowardNext Text Amendments Approved: The five amendments (PCT 26-4 through PCT 26-8) were transmitted to the County Commission with staff’s modifications, notably excluding the proposal to allow residential uses on Recreation and Open Space lands under five acres. If adopted by the County, the amendments will be sent to state review agencies.
• May 2026 Meeting Cancelled: The council agreed to cancel the May 28, 2026 meeting due to lack of agenda items; the next regular meeting is set for June 25, 2026.