Planned Sawgrass Expressway billboard would be first in Tamarac; applicant seeks special exception and 15-year license

TAMARAC, Fla. — City staff briefed commissioners on a developer’s special-exception request for what would be the city’s first billboard, proposed for a site adjacent to the Sawgrass Expressway.

Planning staff described the application by 3n Outdoor Media LLC (applicant Michael Gray) requesting a special exception under the city’s recently amended code allowing billboards only by special exception in limited locations and only in the city right-of-way. The proposed sign would be a double-sided display with each face composed of two panels (each side: 14 feet by 48 feet), for a total single-face license area the applicant described as about 1,248 square feet; the display structure would be set back approximately 92 feet from the highway and the overall sign height would be about 50 feet.

Draft license terms: Staff said the draft license would run for 15 years after permits are granted (commencement 120 days after all licenses and permits are issued), with an option to renew for an additional 15 years. The agreement would contain a condition precedent that, if permits are not issued by Dec. 31, 2026, the license would be null and void. The draft lease payments shown to staff include a minimum schedule that escalates through the term (staff presented set-dollar minimums for years 1, 3, 8, 12, 16 and a later year with increasing percentages of net revenue), and staff reported the city commissioned an appraisal to confirm the rental values reflected industry norms.

Content and city use: The license would prohibit certain content categories on the board (staff cited examples such as hate speech, adult entertainment, vaping product ads, and advertising for marijuana or gambling). The agreement would also provide the city with no-cost use for public-service announcements when space is available, four 10-day 24-hour slots for civic events, a dedicated slot for emergency information and an Amber Alert slot, plus discounted access for local Tamarac businesses.

Why it matters: The proposal is the city’s first request to place a billboard on or over city right-of-way and raises visual, land-use and advertising-content considerations; because the change enabling billboards is recent, the special-exception process and the license terms will shape how similar proposals are considered.

Next steps: The quasi-judicial hearing and the applicant’s presentation will occur at the commission’s Wednesday meeting. Staff provided terms and conditions and said the applicant will present detailed materials and answer questions at that public hearing.