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Serena Park work paused after South Florida Water Management rules block lot clearing
Summary
Staff reported that 4 Star has paused clearing and filling in Serena Park after South Florida Water Management determined the activity is part of a planned development and not eligible for a single‑lot clearing exemption. Compensating storage requirements and limited available storage land were cited as key constraints.
Nicole Setzer told the council that work at Serena Park has stalled after South Florida Water Management concluded the developer's clearing and filling should be treated as a planned development, not individual‑lot work. That determination followed initial clearing that had already started and led the regulator to deny the developer's exemption.
Setzer said compensating stormwater storage is the principal issue; 4 Star reported it would need roughly 50% of the lots it owns to provide the compensating storage required, which would sharply reduce the number of buildable lots. City staff are discussing options with the developer, including potential lot purchases, alternative storage locations and zoning questions tied to townhomes and the project's permit path.
No work is currently underway and staff said 4 Star will meet with community development and South Florida this week to resolve the permit and storage issues. The council asked staff to explore creative solutions while ensuring compliance with watershed requirements.
