Broward County Planning Council Meeting - October 30, 2026

The Broward County Planning Council convened on October 30, 2026, to consider a proposed land-use amendment in Fort Lauderdale. The main item (PH1) was a change from residential to commerce on a 41.2-acre site adjacent to the former Wingate landfill superfund site. After extensive public testimony and deliberation, the council unanimously approved the amendment, subject to a restrictive covenant limiting industrial uses and requiring environmental mitigation. The council also handled routine consent items and discussed scheduling for the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the final agenda, including additional agenda materials: a conditional support letter from the city of Lauderhill and an email from a resident supporting residential use on the site. An excused absence request from Commissioner Fisher was removed. Motion by Mayor Levy, second by Mayor Castillo, passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Linda Patrick: Opposed any development on the contaminated site, citing numerous community illnesses and deaths.
• Eddie Pierce: Asked for transparency and honesty, deferring to experts.
• April Young (Vice President for Lake Air, educator, clergy): Described personal health impacts, including loss of a son and daughter, and criticized lack of transparency. Requested safeguards and independent testing.
• Susie Fletcher: Described long-term health issues and contamination from the landfill, questioning the source of fill material.
• Walter Haney: Supported the project, noting community benefits like flood control, a park, and a computer lab; encouraged the community to get involved to secure benefits.
• Dr. Nadine Hankerson: Called for transparency and understandable scientific explanations; emphasized shared responsibility.
• Farid Khan (school administrator): Described dust, noise, and health concerns; requested meetings at the site.
• Ashley Davis: Supported the project as necessary to cap contamination, comparing it to healing a broken bone.
• Al Callaway: Suggested reviewing hospital census tracts for disease incidence over 50 years before proceeding.

Several speakers expressed concerns or support, highlighting environmental justice and the need for ongoing oversight.

Discussion Items

• PH1 – Land Use Amendment, Fort Lauderdale: The proposed change from low-5 residential and medium-16 residential to commerce on 41.2 acres, located east of 31st Avenue and south of 19th Street. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a declaration of restrictive covenants limiting development to 550,000 square feet of industrial warehouse/distribution and up to 10,000 square feet of commercial uses. The applicant (Robert Lockery, representing Pro Logis and Langley Engineering) presented plans to cap contaminated lake sediment with clean fill, create a 26-acre voluntary wetland for water storage, and address flooding. Eighteen monitoring wells report every 90 days to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Broward County. The site is adjacent to the former Wingate landfill superfund site (not owned by the applicant). The city of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, and Broward Municipal Services District provided comments noting compatibility would be addressed at site plan stage.
• Council members expressed support as a first step toward remediation and economic development (600 permanent jobs), but emphasized the need for transparency, community engagement, and going beyond minimum environmental requirements.

Key Outcomes

• PH1 Motion: Mayor Levy moved to approve the staff recommendation for conditional recertification of the Fort Lauderdale municipal plan, seconded by Mayor Hardin. The motion passed unanimously.
• PH2 Motion (small-scale amendment for Lighthouse Point): Moved forward with unanimous consent.
• December 3rd Meeting: Executive director noted it may be canceled; a committee meeting (online) may be held instead for rule of procedure initiation and administrative rule updates.
• Planning Council Comments: Celebration of life for Roy Rogers announced for November 22nd at the Emily Wilson Center in Pompano Beach.