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Coral Springs advances first reading of 'Live Local' zoning update to align local code with recent state housing laws
Summary
City staff presented amendments to the Live Local land‑development chapter to conform Coral Springs code to recent state bills, allowing qualifying mixed‑use residential projects in the DTMU district and lowering local control over nonresidential square footage; commissioners set a second reading for Dec. 3, 2025, after expressing concerns about state preemption.
Coral Springs city planners presented amendments to the city’s Live Local land‑development rules at the Nov. 13 City Commission meeting, seeking to align local code with new state legislation and set a Dec. 3 second reading. The ordinance, introduced on first reading, would permit qualifying mixed‑use residential buildings in the DTMU (downtown mixed‑use) zoning district and change how the city may regulate the amount of nonresidential space in qualifying projects.
Tina, a city planning staff member, told the commission the amendments respond to recent state bills that revised definitions for commercial, industrial and mixed use, required permitting of qualifying mixed‑use residential buildings in certain districts and capped local regulation of nonresidential square footage at 10 percent for qualifying projects. Tina said the city’s current code requires a minimum of 35 percent nonresidential floor area; the proposed update would reduce that local requirement to match the state standard and would require a 15 percent parking reduction in qualifying cases.
“These changes are to ensure our land‑development code is consistent with state statute and to preserve local standards for aesthetics, setbacks and design where possible,” Tina said during the presentation. A map accompanying the staff report showed potential qualifying locations, with the DTMU district newly added to the list of eligible areas.
Commissioner Simmons voiced concern about the state’s preemption of local authority. “I do not appreciate them giving us a bill that preempts our authority in terms of what and where buildings are,” Simmons said, arguing that local officials know neighborhood context and that affordability should not come at the expense of quality of life. Simmons nonetheless supported moving the ordinance forward to avoid state intervention.
The commission approved the first reading and directed staff to return Dec. 3 for a second reading. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing.
What comes next: Staff will prepare the final ordinance language and materials for the second reading on Dec. 3, including any changes the commission requests. If adopted on second reading, the amendment will be codified into the city’s Live Local article of the land‑development code.
