BROWARD COUNTY — The Broward County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 21 voted unanimously to transmit a proposed land‑use and zoning change for a 39‑acre site in Broadview Park, clearing the way for further county review and future votes as developers and the landowner refine a plan.

Residents and civic leaders urged the board to reject or downsize the project, saying the scale is incompatible with the neighborhood and raising concerns about natural resources. David Nielsen, a Broadview Park resident of 33 years, said the proposed build‑out "is way too big" and argued the county should have bought the property as green space. He asked commissioners whether anyone had visited the site in person.

Commissioner and staff presentations

Senator (Commissioner) Geller and others said the current proposal is smaller than earlier versions. County and applicant representatives said the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority owns the land and had reduced an earlier 900‑unit, five‑story concept to a multi‑building plan with roughly 480 multifamily units (figures discussed in the meeting ranged near 485) and a band of single‑family homes intended to transition the site to the existing neighborhood. Officials said building heights were reduced to three stories and that roughly 22 acres of the property would be preserved as open space with a central lake; drainage would be tied to a major canal near the site.

Why it matters: Broadview Park is an older unincorporated neighborhood in Broward County. Commissioners said they need to balance neighborhood character and flood resilience with countywide needs for more housing units to address population growth.

Process and next steps

County staff and the applicant indicated that the board’s action on Aug. 21 is the first of multiple required approvals; the item will return to the board several more times for zoning and site‑plan review. Commissioners asked county resiliency staff to review hydrology and sea‑level‑rise impacts and said they expect further protections and conditions as the project proceeds.

Ending

Commissioners who represent the area said they will monitor subsequent staff reports, environmental reviews and proposed covenants or site‑plan limitations to ensure the final project addresses neighborhood compatibility and flood‑control concerns.