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Planning board backs amendment to allow warehouses as conditional use in B‑2 zoning
Summary
Planning staff said modern logistics require taller warehouses; the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of ULDR amendment T26009 to allow warehouses as a conditional use in B‑2 business districts so projects return for site and neighborhood review.
The Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board on July 15 voted to recommend approval of an amendment to the Unified Land Development Regulations to allow warehouse facilities as a conditional use in the city's B‑2 (general business) zoning district.
Lorraine Tappan of the city's urban design and planning division told the board that many existing warehouses are about 22 feet tall but that a market study suggests modern logistics systems require heights of 32 to 36 feet to accommodate vertical stacking systems. "The intent is to expand opportunities for warehouse uses around the city," Tappan said, noting that any warehouse in B‑2 would be processed as a conditional use so the board will review site plans and neighborhood and traffic impacts.
Board members asked where B‑2 zoning is located; Tappan pointed to corridors west of 441, along State Road 84 and portions near 27th and 31st avenues and I‑95, saying B‑2 districts are located on major roadways rather than within residential neighborhoods. After brief discussion a board member moved, another seconded, and the board recorded a unanimous recommendation to approve case T26009.
Because the change would allow warehouses only as a conditional use in B‑2, each proposed warehouse would return to the board for site‑specific review and neighborhood impact analysis. The amendment now moves forward to the City Commission for final consideration.
