Tamarac commission approves land-use changes, paving way for Eastside Community Park

The Tamarac City Commission unanimously approved a small-scale land-use amendment and a rezoning on Jan. 4 to facilitate development of the Eastside Community Park on a 2.64-acre site acquired in 2025. City staff said the site — the former Shaker Village Clubhouse — will become parkland with a planned community center and recreational amenities including basketball and tennis courts, a walking trail, playgrounds and ADA parking.

Kent Wallia, Community Development Department director, told the commission the city purchased the parcel with assistance from a Florida Community Trust grant: "That grant covered the cost to purchase the property so long as we paid for the development of the park which is now in our CIP plan as well," he said. Wallia described the park as a long-identified need on the east side of town to address a parks-space deficiency identified in prior assessments.

Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval; the commission voted 5–0 on first reading to adopt the land-use change and rezoning to an RC (recreation) district. Wallia said the next steps include design, permitting, site-plan submission and grant-funded development; staff estimated permitting and design work would proceed between February and December, followed by construction depending on permitting and contractor procurement.

Commissioners praised the long-awaited project as an equitable reinvestment in the city's east side. One commissioner asked whether a commercial kitchen might be included; staff said kitchen facilities would be considered during site-plan and design phases. The commission asked staff to ensure community engagement during the design phase and to return with site-plan details at the second reading and later permitting steps.

Next steps: If the second reading on the ordinance proceeds as scheduled, staff will begin design and permitting ahead of site-plan review and construction procurement.