Plantation planning board recommends denial of Racetrack gas station at Sunrise and Pine Island

The City of Plantation Planning and Zoning Board on May 6 recommended denial of a proposed 24‑hour Racetrack gasoline filling station and 6,008‑square‑foot convenience market at 1790 North Pine Island Road (the southeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Pine Island Road).

City planner Sean LeMay said the application (staff report PP23‑0061) sought site‑plan, elevation and landscape approval, conditional‑use authorization to allow a fuel station and convenience store in the B‑7Q zoning district, and five zoning waivers plus two landscape waivers. LeMay told the board staff found the proposed use “inconsistent with the existing and planned uses in the surrounding area” and concluded it did not meet multiple PCD and zoning code standards in chapter 27. "The proposed use and site plan would allow for the introduction of a substantially higher intensity adjacent to residentially zoned parcels," LeMay said.

The applicant, represented by attorney Jana Loda of Holland & Knight, and Racetrack project staff presented revised plans and mitigation measures. Loda said the proposal preserves much on‑site tree canopy, provides four EV‑capable charging spaces ready at opening, and orients the fuel canopy toward Sunrise to face existing commercial uses to the north. "We are providing 37.7% pervious area on this site," Loda said; she also said the project increases the site’s tree count from 59 to 87 and keeps six of seven live oaks. Loda added the underground fuel tanks and piping meet state and county safety standards and that modern dispenser and monitoring systems reduce the risk of leaks or overfills.

Racetrack representatives described the site plan: an 8,772‑square‑foot fuel canopy with eight fuel pumps (16 fueling positions), a 1,440‑square‑foot EV canopy with four EV charging stations, and a roughly 6,008‑square‑foot convenience market. The traffic study in the application estimated about 1,889 new daily trips (132 AM peak and 118 PM peak) and concluded most traffic (the applicant cited 75%) would be pass‑by trips already on Sunrise. Civil engineer Max Kaplan said Broward County will require a new right‑turn lane on Sunrise, which prompted one of the requested landscape waivers because the turn lane reduces the right‑of‑way buffer.

Board members and residents raised concerns about neighborhood compatibility, traffic and safety, noise, lighting and impacts on a nearby 55+ community, Lauderdale West. Several residents who live in Lauderdale West and Jacaranda Lakes spoke in opposition, citing increased traffic on Pine Island and Sunrise and worries about nighttime activity and loitering. Steven Rose, president of the Lauderdale West board, asked whether decibel studies had been prepared for rooftop mechanical equipment. Multiple speakers also called for heavier screening and questioned whether the area needed another gas station given nearby service stations.

Racetrack’s asset‑protection director, Kelly Harrington, said the company maintains relationships with local law enforcement, employs Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) practices, uses 24/7 high‑definition cameras, and can close indoor operations while maintaining fuel sales if staffing is insufficient. Harrington said the company would work with police to address trespassing and loitering and that employees who must appear as witnesses would be compensated for their time.

After public comment and board discussion, a motion "to deny per the staff report" carried on roll call. The board voted to deny (i.e., recommend denial of) all three portions of the application: (1) site plan, elevation and landscape plan approval; (2) conditional‑use approval for the fuel station and convenience store in the B‑7Q district; and (3) the five zoning waivers and two landscape waivers (staff had flagged an additional waiver area on Sunrise). Board members voting to deny were Miss Gelfand, Mr. Stahl, Ms. Demby Burger, Mr. O'Brien, Ms. Peacock, Mr. McIntosh and Mr. Delagrange. Board members and staff noted the recommendation goes to the City Council for final action; Planning staff and the applicant said council consideration would likely occur in July depending on revisions and submittals.

Why it matters: The intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Pine Island is one of Plantation’s major commercial nodes and abuts both multifamily and a 55+ residential community. The board’s recommendation emphasizes how conditional uses and waivers can become focal points for neighborhood impacts when proposed development intensifies activity next to residential zones. The City Council will receive the board’s recommendation and the full application, response materials and public comments when it considers the case.