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Dania Beach commission objects to Broward County proposal to remove mangroves from protected map
Summary
After months of staff reviews and a packed public hearing, the Dania Beach City Commission voted 4–1 to oppose Broward County’s proposed amendment to remove roughly 3.5–5 acres of ESL Site 97 from the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands map, citing sea-level rise risk, hydrologic connections to mature mangroves and habitat threats to nearby wildlife sanctuaries.
Dania Beach, Fla. — The Dania Beach City Commission on Oct. 28 adopted a resolution opposing a Broward County application by Port 1850 LLC to remove part of Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) Site 97 and allow warehouse development.
Mayor Joyce L. Davis, who led a multi-month review of the proposal, told commissioners staff and independent experts found the site is hydrologically connected to mature mangrove wetlands and lies in an area vulnerable to sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion. Mayor Davis summarized county memoranda and resilience-unit findings and recommended the commission transmit an objection to Broward County ahead of the hearing deferred to January 2026.
Why it matters: The contested parcel sits adjacent to an established mangrove corridor and a nearby wildlife sanctuary. City and county environmental staff warned the proposed amendment would increase risk of flooding, damage water quality and weaken long-standing protections for nursery and roosting habitat used by fish and birds.
What the commission heard: Community development staff told the commission their professional recommendation was to oppose the amendment. Dr. Missy Williams, director of the Dania Beach Vervet Project, said the developer’s biological assessment was incomplete and that her sanctuary faces ongoing disturbance risks from construction, lighting and trash. She said preliminary data suggest the mangroves could provide foraging habitat for bats, including potentially the federally endangered Florida bonneted bat. "The only responsible action tonight is to deny this amendment outright," Dr. Williams said.
The applicant’s attorney, Edwin J. Stacker, urged the commission not to change the city’s previously filed procedural letter, arguing that the city had submitted a "no objection" procedural comment to allow the county review process to proceed and that the applicant committed on the record to obtain necessary environmental permits and a 1.29-acre conservation easement.
Legal and procedural context: City Attorney Besus and staff explained the matter is a county-level legislative amendment; the city’s statement will be transmitted to Broward County for its review. Commissioners debated property-rights concerns and the risk of litigation if the city opposed the amendment, while noting that county staff and the Broward County Planning Council had raised technical and resource-protection concerns.
Vote: Commissioner Ramolei moved to approve a resolution opposing the county amendment; Commissioner Llewellyn seconded. Vice Mayor Salino cast the lone dissent, citing property-rights and zoning expectations; the motion carried 4–1.
Next steps: Broward County deferred its hearing to January 2026 to allow additional review and public input. The city will transmit its formal objection to the county prior to that hearing.
Quote: "All subject matter experts unanimously recommended denial of the amendment to remove any portion of ESL Site 97," Mayor Davis said during her summary of the investigation.
The commission did not vote on any site-plan approvals; the county retains authority over the legislative amendment and any subsequent permitting processes.
