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ZBA waives landscape buffer at Broward County pipe yard citing security concerns
Summary
The board granted a variance to waive a 10‑foot landscape buffer along portions of a Broward County water/wastewater pipe yard, accepting county testimony that landscaping could create security vulnerabilities at the homeland‑security‑designated site.
The Pompano Beach Zoning Board of Appeals on April 17 granted a variance to waive certain perimeter landscape and screening requirements for a Broward County water and wastewater pipe yard, after county representatives said landscaping along two property edges could create security risks.
Staff described the request as relief from section 155.4303(W)(3)(a) of the Pompano Beach zoning code to waive a 10‑foot Type B perimeter landscape strip along the north and west boundaries of a proposed outdoor pipe storage area. The property is on the north side of West Copans Road between Blount Road and Powerline, and Broward County operates the site as a critical water/wastewater facility.
A Broward County representative said the pipe yard has existed since the 1980s and the county intends to formalize and improve the area with new fencing, paving and security improvements. The county told the board that a tree canopy or perimeter planting in the immediate zone could be exploited to climb over the proposed eight‑foot security fence. “Landscaping in this area…poses a potential problem with security,” the county representative said, explaining that the north boundary abuts a pond and wooded areas and the west side borders mostly undeveloped land.
Staff recommended two conditions: that the county obtain required permits and approvals, including site plan development order and building and zoning compliance permits, and that the county substantially comply with the conceptual site plan submitted to the department. The board found competent substantial evidence in the record and approved the variance with the staff conditions.
The action allows Broward County to proceed with proposed upgrades to the pipe yard while deferring the planting requirement along the specified edges to avoid introducing potential security vulnerabilities.
