Tamarac removes funeral homes from several mixed‑use zoning districts, keeps use in business parks

Tamarac commissioners on Wednesday approved an ordinance that removes funeral homes as a permitted use in three mixed‑use zoning districts while continuing to allow them in the city’s business park zoning designation.

Deputy City Manager Calloway read the ordinance amending Chapter 10, Article 3 of the City of Tamarac’s land‑development code to revise Table 10‑3.1 (the table of uses). "The business park? Yes. That's the zoning designation that it's being proposed to remain in. Currently, it's allowed in 4 zoning districts. Staff recommendation is to eliminate it from 3 and continue to allow it in the business park," Calloway said during the June 11 meeting.

The ordinance removes funeral homes as a permitted use from the mixed‑use neighborhood, mixed‑use corridor and public facilities zoning districts but leaves the use permitted in the business park. Commissioners discussed whether the business‑park designation should remain a by‑right use or require special‑exception review because of parking and operational needs for funeral facilities. Commissioner Calloway (discussion participant) asked whether a special‑exception process might be more appropriate to allow added public hearings and conditions; staff advised the commission that changing a use from permitted to special exception would require the additional public‑hearing process.

Commissioner Bolton said he supported the ordinance as presented and praised staff work: "I'm going to support this as is. I think Ms. Calloway did a fine job with making sure that, it is properly designated," he said. With a motion on the floor (mover identified in the record as Commissioner Galton, second by Commissioner Wright), the commission voted 5–0 to adopt the ordinance.

The ordinance provides for codification and standard severability and conflict clauses; the staff presentation noted the change updates the official table of uses (Table 10‑3.1) in the land‑development code. The commission did not adopt the special‑exception option offered for discussion.

What this means: funeral homes will no longer be permitted by right in the three named mixed‑use districts; applicants seeking to locate a funeral home in Tamarac would be limited to the business park zoning district unless the commission later amends the code or adopts a special‑exception process for another district.

The ordinance will be codified into the city code; the staff presentation did not specify an effective date beyond the normal codification process.