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Commission transmits land‑use amendment to expand Diplomat Activity Center, 6–1 vote
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Summary
The commission voted 6–1 to transmit a land‑use plan amendment to Broward County to change 2.03 acres at 3726 S. Ocean Drive from medium‑high residential to Diplomat Activity Center; staff and the applicant cited economic benefits, while commissioners pressed for county traffic and evacuation analysis.
At first reading on Nov. 5, the Hollywood City Commission voted 6–1 to transmit a proposed land‑use amendment that would change 2.03 acres at 3726 South Ocean Drive from medium‑high residential (25) to the Diplomat Activity Center designation.
Andrea Winger, director of Development Services, framed the request as a conformity correction: the parcel is commercially zoned but carries a residential land‑use designation, creating a discrepancy staff asked to resolve. She asked the commission to transmit the amendment to the Broward County Planning Council for review, the county commission and then back to Hollywood for adoption.
Attorney Pedro Gassant, representing the applicant, said the property could support a hotel that in his analysis would generate construction spending and recurring annual visitor spending that benefit the city and support the convention center. He described conceptual public improvements including an extension of the Intracoastal boardwalk and a linear park. He said the full project (if pursued) would be subject to later PD, site‑plan and permitting reviews.
City engineers and planners answered a series of commission questions about traffic and evacuation. Clarissa Ip (chief city engineer) summarized the staff traffic review used at the land‑use stage and said the corridor impacts on A1A and Hallandale Beach Boulevard did not meet the county threshold for a significant regional impact; a more granular traffic impact analysis would be required if the developer pursued PD rezoning and site‑level approvals. Commissioners pressed for Broward County’s evacuation analysis and for more granular parking and usage data before later approvals.
On the final voice and roll‑call, Vice Mayor Quintana, Commissioners Hernandez, Calari, Gruber and Biederman and Mayor Josh Levy voted yes; Commissioner Schuham voted no. The item will proceed to county review as a transmitted land‑use amendment.
Next steps: Broward County Planning Council review, county commission consideration, and then return to the City Commission for adoption and any required local PD or site‑plan hearings.
