Greenacres council unanimously adopts zoning revisions and pediatric extended-care standards; councilmembers report state funding requests

GREENACRES, Fla. — At its March 17 meeting the Greenacres City Council unanimously approved two zoning-related ordinances and heard a report on recent state-level funding meetings.

Ordinance 2025-01, the second reading of a package of zoning-code changes, passed unanimously after staff said there had been no changes since first reading and that legal review found the measure "legally sufficient." The ordinance amends the Code of Ordinances, chapter 16 (zoning regulations), to revise filing procedures, approval standards and review processes for development applications, update notice rules and advisory-board names, revise provisions on the expiration of development approvals, and update the duties and procedures of the development review committee. The council took the final vote in open session with all present members voting aye.

The council also approved Ordinance 2025-03 on second reading. That measure adds prescribed pediatric extended-care use standards to several articles of chapter 16, moves criteria for therapeutic adult day-care centers, and provides for appeals and related housekeeping changes. Linda Mia Franco, identified in the meeting as a SUNY administrator, told the council there were no changes since first reading and that staff recommended approval; the ordinance passed unanimously.

Both public hearings drew no public speakers; council members did not request further changes during council discussion. The council approved the meeting agenda and a two-item consent agenda earlier in the meeting by unanimous voice vote.

During the discussion portion of the meeting, Council member Diaz reported on a March 5 lobbying trip to Tallahassee that included the city manager, the communications director, staff escorts and the city's lobbyist. Diaz said the delegation met with budget and policy staff in multiple offices and with Sen. Bernard, Rep. Gerwig and Rep. Tendrich, and that Greenacres has two active appropriation requests at the state level: one described in the meeting as "550" (amount and units not specified in the transcript) for continuation of septic-to-sewer work and a second request of $450,000 for youth-center Gold Seal programming and related facility work. Diaz said officials in Tallahassee were positive about Greenacres—ringing "a lot of skin in the game" and noted the city is not requesting full funding.

City Manager McHugh told the council that a recent federal funding bill did not include community project funding for the city's emergency operations center; staff are working with Congresswoman Frankel's office to determine next steps. McHugh also announced that a local business, Hoffman's, has closed and that staff will speak with the building owner about redevelopment opportunities. Other administrative notes included an employee picnic at Community Park and that the first council meeting in April will include a customary ceremonial item mentioned by councilmembers.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: motion by Deputy Mayor Dugo, second by Council member Diaz; vote: Mayor Shaw, Deputy Mayor Dugo, Council members Tharpe, Noble, Diaz and Busque — all aye; motion carries. - Consent agenda (items 2 and 3): motion by Council member Tharpe, second by Council member Noble; unanimous approval. - Ordinance 2025-01 (second reading; zoning code amendments): motion to approve (mover recorded as Mr. Nobles; second recorded as Mr. Tharpe); vote: Mayor Shaw, Deputy Mayor Dugo, Council members Tharpe, Noble, Diaz and Busque — all aye; ordinance adopted. - Ordinance 2025-03 (second reading; pediatric extended-care standards): motion by Deputy Mayor Dugo, second by Council member Busque; vote: Mayor Shaw, Deputy Mayor Dugo, Council members Tharpe, Noble, Diaz and Busque — all aye; ordinance adopted.

The meeting included brief ceremonial remarks and routine reports; no public commenters spoke on the two ordinances during their public hearings. Council members raised questions about state-level proposals on property-tax changes and potential fiscal impacts, and staff emphasized ongoing monitoring of legislative developments that could affect municipal revenues.

The council adjourned after approving final business.