Pompano Beach planners recommend zoning, land-use and tree-buffer changes to clear way for airport development and training school

The Pompano Beach Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously Jan. 22 to recommend approval of a zoning code text amendment (LN 676), a land-use plan amendment for the Air Park, and an amendment to the city's environmentally sensitive lands (ESL) map (LN 560), sending all three items to the City Commission for consideration.

The measures are intended to align city regulations with the Pompano Beach Air Park master plan, create a 100-foot landscape/tree-mitigation buffer along key public frontages, clarify how aviation height and setback limits are applied inside the airpark, and remove four parcels from the ESL map so limited aviation development can proceed. Staff said the changes also explicitly allow vocational/trade schools in the transportation zoning district to avoid permitting delays for potential tenants such as the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITS).

Jean Dolan of Development Services told the board the zoning change replaces a 'cookie-cutter' district template with aviation-specific footnotes that mirror current practice and give direction on tree mitigation and site review. "Tree locations and species for mitigation will be selected based on compatible heights to avoid creating aviation obstructions and bird and wildlife attractions that are incompatible with airport operations," Dolan said. The amendment clarifies that building heights and other airspace limitations will continue to be governed by the airport overlay (city code 155-3707) and by aviation engineering review when required.

Board discussion focused on public safety, tree mitigation design and who will review technical matters. Steve Rocco, the airport manager, will have a landscape architect prepare frontage plans for Copens Road, Northeast 5th Avenue and Northeast 10th Street to identify species and planting locations compatible with aviation operations, staff said. The proposed text also says landscaping requirements in section 155-5203 of the code will not apply to aircraft aprons and that required mitigation trees that are inappropriate inside the airfield will be planted prior to certificate of occupancy…