Pembroke Pines Commission adopts emergency ordinance extending sub‑sublease talks for Pines Place affordable housing

Pembroke Pines’ City Commission unanimously adopted an emergency ordinance on Nov. 19 to authorize a Sixth Amendment to the agreement to enter into a sub‑sublease with H.G. Pines LLC, a step officials said is needed to finalize a long‑term transfer for the Pines Place affordable‑housing property.

City Attorney Gorn told the commission that recent state legislative language was negotiated to protect the city’s interest in the project and provide ad valorem tax‑exemption protections. “That was quite a Herculean effort,” Gorn said, describing coordination with the city’s legislative delegation and state officials. He said the amendment is a limited time extension intended to allow the parties, including the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Environmental Protection, to complete documentation and approvals ahead of an anticipated closing.

Elliot White, who represented the prospective owner and said he had worked with city staff and state officials, told the commission the project team had been negotiating to finalize terms and that he expected a closing in the near term. “We worked with city officials who seemed necessary to give us time to work with the DEP,” White said.

Mayor Angelo Castillo framed the vote as a pragmatic step to preserve affordable workforce housing on state land while permitting additional negotiation time. The commission approved first and second emergency readings and recorded the action as permanent record number 2054.

Next steps: staff said they will continue discussions with DEP and the state and return with closing documentation once agreements are finalized. The ordinance was adopted with unanimous roll‑call votes.