Planning board backs new "special waiver" path for development projects

The Margate Planning & Zoning Board on March 3 recommended that the City Commission adopt an ordinance creating a new "special waiver" pathway for development projects, a process similar to a variance but routed to the commission rather than the board of adjustment.

Senior Planner Andrew Penny told the board the waiver "is very similar to a variance" but is designed for projects that have filed a site plan and would come to the commission after Development Review Committee (DRC) vetting. He said the ordinance defines the waiver, sets application requirements and lays out nine criteria the commission must consider.

Board members questioned whether the change would allow developers to bypass advisory review and whether commissioners would have enough information to decide. One member said there is a risk that "decisions can be made best on who does the best job of lobbying the commissioners," and asked how staff would ensure objective application of a standard that allows waivers "when enforcement [is] not in the best interests of the city." Penny responded that the proposed process requires a DRC recommendation before commission consideration and that traffic and other impacts would be evaluated as part of the DRC review.

There were no public comments. After discussion a motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the board voted to forward the ordinance to the City Commission, with the motion passing 3–2 on a roll call.

Next step: the City Commission will receive the board's recommendation and consider the ordinance at a future meeting.