Broward County Planning Council Regular Meeting and Public Hearing - August 27, 2026
Broward County Planning Council Regular Meeting and Public Hearing - August 27, 2026
The Broward County Planning Council held a regular meeting and public hearing on August 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, reviews of proposed code revisions, annual evaluations of the council attorney and executive director, updates on meeting dates and the BrowardNext land use plan, public hearings on recertifications for Tamarac and Coral Springs, and discussions on attendance policies and community engagement regarding school closures.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Final Agenda (C1): The agenda for August 27, 2026, including additional material, was approved.
- Plat Reviews (C2): August 2026 plat reviews for trafficways plan compliance were approved as recommended by staff.
- Approval of Minutes (C3): The summary minutes of the June 25, 2026 meeting were approved.
- Attendance Record (C4): Excused absence requests, including correspondence from Dr. Mireidy Fernandez, were noted.
Discussion Items
- R1: Proposed Revisions to Land Development Code (Impact Fees) – Staff presented proposed amendments to Chapter 5, Article IX, Division 1 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, related to concurrency and impact fees, which have not been collected since 2024. The revisions strike policies no longer relevant under BrowardNext. The council unanimously found the revisions generally consistent with the Broward County Land Use Plan and transmitted them to the County Commission. Motion by Mayor Brunson, second by Mayor Gomez.
- R2: Annual Evaluation of Planning Council Attorney Andrew Morotis – Chair presented an evaluation citing over 30 years of service, exceptional legal judgment, and professionalism. Mr. Morotis again declined a merit-based increase. The council unanimously reaffirmed confidence in his continued service.
- R3: Annual Evaluation of Executive Director Barbara Blake-Boyd – Chair presented an evaluation highlighting her 14th year as executive director, strong leadership, and effective operation. Ms. Blake-Boyd did not request a salary increase but remains eligible. The council unanimously approved the evaluation and entered it into the record. Motion by Mayor Castillo, second by Mayor Brunson.
- R4: Counsel's Report – No report.
- R5: Executive Director's Report – Housekeeping items included: rescheduling the October meeting from October 22 to October 29 (the County Commission did not take the original date); setting the combined November/December meeting for December 3; and an update on BrowardNext. The state's review found the transmitted amendments null and void under Senate Bill 180 for two incentive-based policies deemed more restrictive. Staff resolved concerns via a meeting with Florida Commerce and will present a revised adoption package to the County Commission with minor changes. Staff also noted that local governments receiving similar findings should consult legal counsel and seek resolution with Commerce.
- R6: Correspondence – Response from Florida Commerce regarding BrowardNext was included in materials.
- Attendance Policy Review – The council discussed improving attendance. Chair and staff will review rules of procedure to potentially limit excused absences and address accountability, in coordination with county regulations.
- School Board Member Zeman's Community Engagement Request – Dr. Zeman requested ideas on engaging the broader community (98.7% not directly affected) in upcoming school closure decisions, which could free up land for affordable housing, parks, or transit. Members suggested producing a white paper, exploring ground leases for housing, partnering with cities, and leveraging real estate contacts. The council offered to help disseminate information.
Public Hearings
- PH1: Recertification of Tamarac Future Land Use Element (PCR 26-6) – The City waived quasi-judicial proceedings; no public speakers signed in. Staff recommended recertification. Council unanimously approved.
- PH2: Recertification of Coral Springs Future Land Use Element (PCR 26-7) – Similarly waived; no public speakers. Council unanimously approved. Both items were moved together by Mayor Castillo, second by School Board Member Zeman.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda, R1, R2, R3, PH1, and PH2 all passed unanimously.
- October meeting date changed to October 29; December 3 set for combined meeting; September 24 meeting cancelled.
- BrowardNext adoption will incorporate two minor adjustments per Florida Commerce feedback.
- Staff directed to review attendance policy and propose amendments.
- Dr. Zeman to provide a white paper outlining school closure plans for broader community input.
- Mayor Gomez announced a breast cancer awareness fundraiser on October 10.
Meeting Transcript
I appreciate that. Very very diplomatic of you. Thank you. All right. We are going to call the executive committee meeting to order for August 27, 2026. It is now 9 30. Barbara, you have the floor. Thank you. We do have a quorum. Uh school boardman member Zieman is on his way. Um, but we are getting started, so I'm sure he may soften here. Uh, thank you. So this morning, uh item uh one on your agenda is a local planning agency review. Um, and as you know, as the local planning agency to the Broward County Board of Commissioners, there are some uh code of ordinance changes that require uh your finding of consistency with the Broward County land use plan, and this proposed revision is one of those. Um, I'm just gonna give you a very quick high-level summary of this. And this is really related to the collection of concurrency and impact fees, um, as that has not been happening since 2024. And the county staff has prepared a um that was to comply with Florida statutes because the studies hadn't been done within the last four years, and then like any new uh fee would have to have 100 percent of the commission or council to to vote on it. Ellen and uh school board member seaman is walking in as we speak. Um so this uh this will uh is in compliance with the county plan and with the adoption of Broward next, we're actually striking through these policies because if there is no collection right now currently of impact fees or concurrency fees, there's no reason to have those policies in the Broward County Land Use Plan. So these revisions should be sound should be found in compliance with Broward County Land Use Plan. And Darby Dalsal from the County staff is here if you have any specific questions about the uh the code changes. Excellent. Questions about the changes. Okay. Do we need a motion? Yes, uh a motion just to uh find it generally consistent, and then that will be forwarded to the full council at your 10 o'clock meeting. Second. Okay. Okay. We have a motion and second. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. I'm sorry, could you just say who made the motion in the second? About four people. Yeah. So I'm gonna I'm I'll just pick one. We'll go with Mayor Brunson made the motion. Okay. And uh Mayor Gomez seconded. Okay, thank you. Okay. Items two and three, I will defer to the chair. All right. Well, this is my favorite time of year. And you know what? It's getting easier for me to write these because I take off last year's, change the date, and basically say the exact same thing, maybe in a little different order. But if you put them next to each other, if you put them next to each other, they look similar. So, like I did, uh Legit, I'm not going to read the entire in entire memo, but we're going to start with uh Andy and the council's attorney uh and my evaluation.
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