Oakland Park commission approves first reading of downtown zoning change to allow waivers for supplemental rules

The Oakland Park City Commission on June 18 voted unanimously on first reading to adopt a staff‑initiated amendment to the city’s land development code that creates a waiver process for certain supplemental development regulations in the OP3D downtown district.

The ordinance amends Chapter 24 (Land Development Code) and specifically modifies language in section 24‑266(c) and 24‑273 to add a defined waiver procedure for uses subject to a supplemental 40‑foot setback in parts of the OP3D district. Staff said the change is intended to address situations in which otherwise permitted uses cannot operate within an existing or newly constructed building because the code’s supplemental setbacks render portions of rent‑able space unusable.

What staff proposed and why Sierra Marrero, the city’s director of engineering and community development, told the commission the code’s current supplemental regulations have had the unintended effect of blocking permitted uses from locating in some downtown properties,…