Planning board backs CRA’s six‑unit, very‑low‑income project and recommends sidewalk variance to commission

The Hallandale Beach Planning & Zoning Board on March 10 recommended approval of a two‑story, six‑unit apartment development proposed by the Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency at 627 and 631 Southwest 6th Terrace and forwarded a sidewalk variance to the City Commission.

Associate Planner Destiny Ferguson presented the minor development (DR2506852) and variance package (V2506853). The CRA asked for three affordable‑housing bonus units under the Broward County land‑use policy to increase permitted density from three to six units on the site and requested multiple variances: a zero‑foot setback for a waste/recycling enclosure (10 feet required), reduced landscape buffers and percentage (27.1% provided vs 30% required), a reduction to 8 parking spaces where 10 are required, and a request to waive the five‑foot sidewalk requirement (that waiver will be considered by the City Commission). Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a 30‑year restrictive covenant guaranteeing at least three very‑low‑income units, payment of required impact fees, a green‑building bond and a roadway easement where needed.

A neighbor, David Cox, spoke in opposition during public comment, citing longstanding flooding in the area and asking how the project’s elevation, stormwater retention and sidewalks will be handled; staff and the applicant said new construction must meet stormwater and FEMA requirements and that the parcel will be graded to retain stormwater on site. Board members probed density and precedent, noting RD-12 recently changed to permit multifamily and that nearby blocks include duplexes but few newly permitted multifamily buildings.

Kenneth Poe, project manager for the CRA, said the agency intends to retain ownership and manage the property. The CRA representative and staff pledged to work on site‑plan details raised by the board — including dumpster enclosure location and maneuvering space for parking stalls — and acknowledged that changes to resolve circulation may require further variances.

The board voted through the CRA’s minor development recommendation, each requested variance and the allocation of three affordable‑housing bonus units; motions carried and the sidewalk variance will be forwarded to the City Commission with the board’s recommendation. Staff conditions include recordation of a restrictive covenant preserving affordable units for at least 30 years, payment of impact fees before building permits, a green building bond equal to 3% of the master permit and required roadway easements prior to permit issuance.

The board closed the item and moved to other business.