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Council backs tri-party agreement to bring South Florida Wildlife Center to town property
Summary
The council unanimously supported a resolution enabling a tri-party agreement among the Town, the Broward County School Board and the South Florida Wildlife Center to lease roughly seven acres to the wildlife center and lift a deed restriction on the remainder for residential development.
The Town Council voted to support a tri-party agreement among the Town of Southwest Ranches, the Broward County School Board and the South Florida Wildlife Center that would allow the wildlife center to lease about seven southern acres of a school-board parcel for a 99-year lease and enable residential use of the remaining property consistent with the town’s rural-ranches zoning.
Mayor Bright Crews and staff described recent progress negotiating with the school board and the wildlife center; the council heard from Alessandra Medre, the executive director of the South Florida Wildlife Center, who described the organization as the state’s largest wildlife center and highlighted its veterinary, rehabilitative and education work serving thousands of animals and schools.
Public commenters welcomed the center’s closer location and raised a question about jurisdictional wetlands and potential mitigation costs; the mayor and staff said wetland work would not be a taxpayer obligation of Southwest Ranches and described plans for coordinated mitigation as part of development and lease negotiations. Council members emphasized the educational value and convenience of a closer wildlife hospital for local residents and schools.
The council’s vote to support the tri-party agreement was unanimous. Staff will continue negotiations with the school board and wildlife center and return with required agreements.
