Commission OKs Broward Health North 6‑story medical office with variances

The Deerfield Beach City Commission on Oct. 7 unanimously approved a major site plan allowing the North Broward Hospital District (Broward Health) to build a six‑story, 114,000‑square‑foot medical office building on a 1.5‑acre parcel at 199–201 East Sample Road.

The vote approved the site plan and three variances: a small increase in maximum plot coverage to 20.6% (county code limits 20%), and two wall‑sign variances that permit larger, off‑center signs than the city code normally allows. Because the request included variances, the item required a four‑fifths vote; the commission voted 5–0 to approve the project and associated variances.

Why it matters: Broward Health told the commission the new medical office building will house cardiovascular, neurology and orthopedics services and provide additional room for future clinical growth on the hospital campus. The facility will be visible from Sample Road and the applicant said the design aims to modernize the campus appearance.

Details presented: Robert Lachry, the applicant’s attorney, said the parcel sits on the Southwest corner of the Broward Health North campus, which he described as a 35‑acre site that grew around the original hospital opened in 1961. David Clark, senior vice president of Broward Health, and Brian Wilson, the project architect, joined Lachry at the dais to describe the building and site improvements. The applicant said landscaping and parking will be revised and that the work will provide slightly more parking than exists on that portion of the campus today.

The applicant also described coordination with county and city staff during design review. As presented, the project incorporates laminated glass, metal cladding and other contemporary finishes intended to match recent campus upgrades.

Campaign disclosure: The city clerk read a required ethics disclosure showing a $1,000 campaign contribution from the applicant’s representative to Mayor Drozsky on Feb. 12, 2025, per the city’s ethics ordinance.

Public comment and commission discussion: No speakers signed up inside the chamber; two members of the public spoke (one asked about permitting times), and former commissioner Bernard Parnas spoke in support of Broward Health and urged approval. Commissioners asked staff and the applicant about service types — Commissioner Shanetzky confirmed the facility will “spotlight cardiac facilities” and was told it also will support orthopedics and neurology services.

Outcome and next steps: The commission’s motion to approve was offered by Vice Mayor Preston and seconded by Commissioner Hudak; the roll call vote was 5–0. Conditions and the project schedule will be managed through the city’s permitting and inspection process.