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Commission approves digital billboard on Sawgrass; license agreement and exception include city ad slots and audit rights
Summary
After a multi‑year review, the commission granted a special exception and approved a 15‑year license for a double‑sided digital billboard on city land near the Sawgrass Expressway, with a minimum annual payment and a revenue‑share formula; commissioners added a condition that any transfer of the special exception require commission approval.
The Tamarac City Commission on Sept. 10 approved a special exception and a license agreement permitting a double‑sided digital billboard on a small parcel of city land west of the Sawgrass Expressway and north of West Commercial Boulevard.
The special‑exception vote was unanimous (5–0); commissioners added a condition that any transfer or assignment of the special exception require prior City Commission approval. Separately, the commission approved a license agreement that grants 3N Outdoor Media LLC rights to install and operate a two‑faced digital sign, subject to county and FDOT permitting and to nine (staff) or ten (commission) conditions negotiated during the review. The license agreement passed 4–1.
Under the license, the city receives a minimum annual payment and a revenue share. The schedule provides an initial minimum annual payment (the first years listed as the greater of a base amount per sign or a percentage of net collected advertising revenue) with step increases over time; the agreement also grants the city periodic audit rights to verify reporting. The vendor committed to provide free city public‑service messaging slots and emergency messaging capability (Amber alerts, evacuation messages, civic events) and to offer preferential advertising rates for Tamarac businesses.
Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized site selection criteria: the chosen parcel is distant from residences, is a narrow city‑owned sliver of land that otherwise generated no revenue, and lies on a high‑traffic corridor. The applicant, 3N Outdoor Media, confirmed the location will not face residential neighborhoods, will use static images on an expressway‑suitable digital display, and will adapt brightness and content so as not to create a distracting, flashing effect.
Several commissioners asked for stronger transfer restrictions: staff’s draft allowed assignment but included standard transfer provisions; the commission amended the special exception to require return to the commission for transfer or assignment of the special exception. Staff also confirmed the city will require any prospective operator to meet FDOT spacing and permitting rules and that the license runs concurrently with the county/state permitting process.
The commission also directed staff to monitor signage rules and to ensure the city’s free messaging, emergency messaging and audit rights are operational once the sign is active. The city manager and staff said next steps include executing the license, securing county and DOT permits, and finalizing construction plans.
