Planned Sunrise residential development would require widening and right‑of‑way on Lauderhill streets, city staff say

The Lauderhill City Manager briefed the commission on June 16 about a proposed off‑site development — Sotera — on the Sunrise golf course that is inside the City of Sunrise but would use Lauderhill streets for access.

Kylie Hobbs said the developers propose ingress and egress to Oakland Park Boulevard via Embraer (Embury) Boulevard West south of Oakland Park. The design under discussion would widen Embraer West to provide three northbound lanes and one southbound lane across a short span, extend the westbound left‑turn stacking lane at Oakland Park Boulevard, and widen the bridge over a canal. Hobbs said those improvements would likely require a reduction in Lauderhill’s right‑of‑way near the city water plant because the corridor is constrained.

Hobbs noted the project team did not attend the workshop and that the city’s engineers have met with the developers’ consultants. She warned the commission that the proposal’s traffic impacts could extend beyond the immediate Oakland Park intersection, with some traffic cutting through Embraer West, 40th Street and Rock Island to reach other arterials.

The city asked the developer to coordinate with the county’s planned bus rapid transit (BRT) work on Oakland Park Boulevard because some BRT options call for median reconfiguration or dedicated lanes; staff noted potential conflicts between median reconfiguration and the developer’s proposed turn‑lane geometry. Hobbs said the developers appear to be fairly far along in their planning and that Lauderhill legal staff will be asked to advise on the process and any right‑of‑way acquisition or easements the developer may request.

Commissioners pressed staff to pursue coordination with the City of Sunrise and to clarify who would pay for needed improvements. Staff said developers are likely responsible for design funding at site plan approval and may fund some improvements; Lauderhill will also seek to identify available county or other funds. The manager said she will follow up with the developer and consult legal on any process to allow work within Lauderhill right‑of‑way.

No formal action was taken; staff will continue discussions with the developer and return with legal guidance and a schedule of impacts and timing for any required Lauderhill approvals or easements.