Lauderhill weighs enforcement steps after staff, police outline ongoing LifeNet site problems

City of Lauderhill staff and police presented the commission with an update on LifeNet’s operations and the surrounding public‑safety and code concerns on April 20, saying observed activity since the amortization took effect in December remains inconsistent with the updated certificate of use.

"The updated COU scope includes case management and benefits — SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, IDs, licenses — and it expressly prohibits food distribution and shower facilities on‑site," Planning staff said. The commission had previously adopted an amortization removing food distribution as an allowed long‑term use.

Code Compliance Director Nadia Chen told the commission that daily observations of the property beginning March 12 documented morning lines, congregations along the fence and adjacent gas station, overnight vehicle habitation and trash. "Individuals were observed with personal belongings such as shopping carts, bags, suitcases and, in some cases, chairs brought to the area for extended seating," Chen said.

Deputy Chief Granville described what police investigators termed an apparent organized pattern in which third‑party individuals pick up LifeNet clients and transport them to other jurisdictions for suspected fraud. Granville said officers have trespassed a suspected ringleader and that visible congregating dropped after enforcement steps. "Since this person was trespassed, the activity I've seen every morning that I drive by there is pretty much clear," the deputy chief said.

LifeNet Executive Director Denise Brown disputed some factual claims and defended the nonprofit’s work. Brown said the organization has curtailed cooked‑food distribution at the Lauderhill site and argued that a safe‑parking program referenced by commissioners operates in Pompano rather than Lauderhill. "We are not serving food [in Lauderhill]," Brown said. She also said LifeNet has reported to investigators cases of clients being exploited by outside groups and that federal authorities are investigating related conduct.

City staff outlined administrative remedies short of immediate closure — site plan modification, required queuing inside the building, enhanced landscaping and buffer, restrictions on use of adjacent right‑of‑way and additional signage — and described a due‑process path through code enforcement. "We have code violations that have been written and they are scheduled to go to special master next month," staff said. City Attorney Hans Otnacht added that the evidence presented in the workshop is sufficient to move forward with enforcement, including a potential revocation of the certificate of use, once due process is observed.

The commission did not vote on the specifics during the workshop; staff said they will pursue enforcement hearings with the special master and return with options and timelines. Commissioners urged staff to continue working with LifeNet, local HOAs and the police to resolve safety and nuisance concerns while preserving services for vulnerable residents where feasible.

What's next: code enforcement cases for the property are set for the special master next month; staff will pursue administrative remedies and, if warranted, seek COU revocation following the special‑master hearing.