Coconut Creek hires FAU team to prepare new voting‑district maps; commission to include Main Street entitlements

The Coconut Creek City Commission on Feb. 14 approved a $29,600 professional services agreement with Dr. Ronald R. Schultz and his Florida Atlantic University team to prepare geographic boundaries for the city’s new commission districts following recent charter changes.

City staff said the consultant will advise the redistricting board, with work completed within the board’s 120‑day appointment window; board appointments are planned for the April 19 commission meeting and the consultant expects the board to meet four times, producing a final report to the commission in June.

The commission’s discussion focused on how to count Main Street, a large redevelopment area expected to add hundreds of residential units. City staff told commissioners they will consider not only certificates of occupancy and the latest census statistics but also land‑use entitlements and issued building permits as identified in the consultant contract (staff cited approximately 1,182 entitled residential units for Main Street and said including Blocks 10 and 16 could raise that total to roughly 1,500).

Commissioners who pressed the issue said the city is moving from a rotating mayoral seat to an elected mayor and that district maps should reflect the city’s expected population when they take effect in 2029. City staff confirmed the contract language (page 2, paragraph 6) includes consideration of entitlements and permits in addition to occupancy figures.

The commission voted to approve the services agreement on a roll call vote. The redistricting board will begin meeting in April; staff will publish a frequently asked questions document for residents and prospective applicants ahead of board appointments.