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Planning board approves 30-space parking variance at Tanglewood Plaza to accommodate new restaurant tenant
Summary
The Pembroke Pines Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved a variance allowing a 30-space reduction at Tanglewood Plaza so a takeaway tenant can convert to a sit-down restaurant; applicant cited historic layout, an outparcel parking agreement with KinderCare and changing tenant mix.
The Pembroke Pines Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved a variance request for Tanglewood Plaza that allows the shopping center to remain at 156 existing spaces instead of meeting a code-calculated requirement of 186 spaces.
Sam Susi, the property owner and an attorney, told the board the center was built in 1984 and “we are ... seeking a variance to allow us to have 186 parking spaces even though we only have, in fact, 156 spaces, so a 30, space variance.” He said the center’s tenant mix has shifted toward more parking‑intensive uses — including medical offices and restaurants — compared with the uses contemplated when the center was developed.
The variance application said the center previously relied on an approved nonconcurrent‑parking arrangement (granted about 2012) when a large church on the site allowed shared parking across different hours; that church is gone and an urgent care (MD Now) occupies a space that triggers higher code parking counts. Susi also told the board KinderCare uses parking on the owner’s lot and “we have an agreement that requires me to provide that parking for them.”
Board members asked whether there was physical room on the parcel to add spaces and whether the east and west halves of the lot showed different utilization at different hours. Susi said the lot cannot be expanded and described the pattern of evening demand near a gym and the proposed Birds Hot Chicken restaurant. He estimated the new restaurant bay would seat “approximately 10 seats inside” and said the requested variance covers future minor tenant changes so the owner will not need to return for small adjustments.
Member Goldich moved to approve under Category C; Member Alloy seconded. The board voted unanimously to grant the variance.
The board record shows no public objections recorded during the hearing and staff did not report unresolved code compliance issues for the application. The applicant was reminded that compliance with building, fire and signage permits remains required before any restaurant tenant opens.
