The Implementation/Administration Element is the primary mechanism for enacting, monitoring, and updating the Comprehensive Plan and ensuring superior service to the community. It guides how the goals, objectives and policies of this document will be executed, and that the Comprehensive Plan remains consistent with both the City’s Vision for 2050 and its Strategic Plan for all of its supporting policies.
The Comprehensive Plan is the legal document which regulates the maintenance, innovation, growth, and development for the City of Tamarac. It is subdivided into 13 elements according to different City needs which address goals, objectives and policies that must be observed in all future endeavors.
“Goal” means the long-term end toward which programs or activities are ultimately directed.
“Objective” means a specific, measurable, intermediate end that is achievable and marks progress toward a goal.
“Policy” means the way in which programs and activities are conducted to achieve an identified goal.
The Strategic Goals of the City of Tamarac were created in response to a comprehensive visioning process that involved the community, city staff, city officials, and various stakeholders. These goals set the overall framework for how Tamarac will develop now and into the future.
This plan strives to establish a secure transportation network that benefits both residents and visitors that supports the goals and objectives of this Comprehensive Plan. By better linking major routes, creating convenient first-last mile connections, and expanding multimodal transportation choices, Tamarac can make the most of its existing community assets, cultural attractions, transit alternatives, and local businesses.
The Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) includes ongoing projects, new projects, and projects in progress that require additional funding to support the infrastructure and service needs of the City. The CIP also includes a plan for future projects based on projected needs, expected revenues, bond issuance, and other financing mechanisms.
To accommodate a growing population, enhanced tax base and economic activity, the City of Tamarac endorses a strategic approach to direct growth and density to the City’s main corridors and thoroughfares, which maximizes the use of land and create places to shop, work and play. The City of Tamarac supports a development strategy which promotes the principles of “Smart Growth”, which seeks to maintain and create desirable communities and neighborhoods for City residents, visitors and economic interests, including quality housing for all, integrated with excellent public facilities, recreational opportunities and open space areas, and which preserves and conserves natural resources.
The City of Tamarac must efficiently accommodate population and economic growth, while also recognizing and protecting areas which currently display characteristics, such as estate communities and established single family neighborhoods. The City supports new development and redevelopment activities within established and planned “local activity centers”, and established and planned “transit oriented” corridors and hubs, as long as such areas have planned or sufficient public facilities and services to serve the area, and a mixed use character which supports a high quality live, work and play community for residents and businesses, including viable multi-modal transportation choices, a range of housing choices (including affordable housing), green spaces and recreational amenities, community gathering spots, and a variety of services and establishments to support life and business activities.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES: The City shall prioritize new development and redevelopment to existing and planned downtowns and major transit corridors and transit hubs.
STRATEGY TR-1: City of Tamarac FLUM amendments and Rezonings for appropriately located projects on transit corridors and hubs shall be given preference when considering new or redevelopment proposals.
STRATEGY TR-2: Within established and planned local activity centers and on major corridors, the City shall utilize multi-modal levels of service standards, and take all committed and funded modes of transportation fully into account when considering development proposals.
STRATEGY TR-3: To facilitate the availability of affordable housing in proximity to public facilities, services, amenities, and economic opportunities, the City’s and Broward County’s “Affordable Housing Density Bonus Program” shall be structured to target established and planned “local activity centers” and major corridors and transit hubs.
GOAL: The Tamarac Comprehensive Plan is intended to realize the City’s 2050 Vision Plan concerning future growth and continuing to integrate its six Strategic Pillars. It will serve as the principal policy document guiding all activities and development within the City.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will maintain and administer its comprehensive planning program in adherence to the Chapter 163.3177 of the Florida Statutes.
POLICY 1.1: The City shall administrate and adopt appropriate Land Development Code revisions, amending them as needed to respond to changing conditions.
POLICY 1.2: The Land Development Code should reflect updated Comprehensive Plan policies by December 2050.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall implement policies for land use controls which promote smart, green, and communities that are attractive, well maintained, and that contribute to the health, safety, and welfare of residents and users.
POLICY 1.4: The City will implement policies to enforce its Land Development Code which shall be consistent with the urban design element of the comprehensive plan.
POLICY 1.5: The existing transportation system will be well-maintained and continue to meet operational and safety standards as represented in City policy initiatives.
POLICY 1.6: The City shall provide throughout the planning period a fully staffed Code Enforcement Division in order to provide for the general welfare, safety, good order, and appearance of the City, the City shall create an inventory of substandard homes in the City by 2050.
POLICY 1.7: Each facility has been assigned a specific and measurable Level of Service (LOS) Standard. Population projections and LOS standards are used in combination to determine if any facility deficiencies are likely to exist in the ten and twenty-year planning horizon. Any facility deficiencies identified which require capital improvements are addressed in a Capital Improvements Schedule contained in the Capital Improvement Element (CIE). The CIE is updated annually and sent to the State Planning Agency along with a citywide Capital Improvement Plan to demonstrate the financial feasibility of the CIE.
POLICY 1.8: The City shall require any development or redevelopment to provide adequate recreation facilities to maintain the adopted LOS.
POLICY 1.9: The City will monitor its Code, administrative policies and programs concerning stormwater retention, and the extension and maintenance of the system under its jurisdiction.
POLICY 1.10: The parks department will update its facilities inventory yearly, documenting both public and private recreation facilities. This inventory will include an assessment of condition, demand for and usage of recreation facilities, programs, and events.
POLICY 1.11: The City shall maintain a record of the land acquired and/or developed through in lieu of payments for necessary public facilities during the process of development and redevelopment.
POLICY 1.12: Upon completion of Comprehensive Plan updates and amendments, the City shall transmit the Plan to appropriate agencies within 60 days.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City shall provide periodic updates between Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) cycles and monitor the Plan’s progress for consistency with the City 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update as required by Florida Statutes.
POLICY 2.1: At least once a year, the City shall review all infrastructure related interlocal agreements to ensure that all entities are in compliances with the terms of the agreement and that the agreements are up to date.
POLICY 2.2: In alignment with adopted level of service standards as identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and concurrent with the impacts of new development, the City shall ensure adequate facilities and services are available prior to development approval.
POLICY 2.3: The City will provide for and maintain its level of service standards established by the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
POLICY 2.4: The City shall address roadway segments operating at an unacceptable level of service.
POLICY 2.5: The City will strategize the level of coordination between Tamarac and the transportation agencies for improvements with the plans and programs of the BCMPO, Broward County Transit Division, FDOT (including its Five-Year Transportation Plan), the plans of adjacent municipalities and any appropriate resource planning and management plan prepared pursuant to Chapter 380, Florida Statutes, and approved by the Governor and Cabinet.
POLICY 2.6: The City will continue to monitor bicycle and pedestrian improvements through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and inventory.
POLICY 2.7: The City will continue to monitor community transit improvements and coordinate with Broward County transit for smart and efficient services.
POLICY 2.8: The City shall monitor the efforts of the City to implement programs and services directly targeted for the mobility needs of the elderly, handicapped, and other transportation disadvantaged groups.
POLICY 2.9: The City shall keep a record of enforcement of applicable City codes and ordinances.
POLICY 2.10: The City shall maintain and update applicable administrative procedures pertaining to water supply usage to better conserve groundwater resource on coordination with Broward County, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and local municipal entities.
POLICY 2.11: The City shall maintain building permit records reviewed by the Broward County Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
POLICY 2.12: Documentation of monitoring program of City wellhead protection areas.
POLICY 2.13: The City shall ensure site plan and development review performed by proper departments and/or agencies.
POLICY 2.14: On a continuous basis, City staff will monitor the appearance of municipal facilities and include prioritize deficiencies in the Parks and Recreation and Five-Year Program.
POLICY 2.15: The City shall record the annual report from the City’s Departments presenting the survey findings and recommendations for departmental programming.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City shall maintain adequate levels of service concurrent with the existing demands and anticipated demands from redevelopment.
POLICY 3.1: The City will conduct a concurrency assessment to ensure that public facilities are available and able to accommodate the impacts of the proposed development. This assessment will utilize the inventory of services and facilities outlined in the Capital Improvements Program as a foundation to establish existing conditions and determine the capacity of current public facilities to support new development.
POLICY 3.2: The City shall coordinate with the Broward County School Board by City staff’s attendance at Staff Working Group meetings and compliance with the Interlocal Agreement, to accommodate new facilities on existing sites requiring educational needs.
POLICY 3.3: The City shall coordinate transportation planning activities through its land use policies to ensure that the regional roadway network levels of service standards are met.
POLICY 3.4: The City shall ensure that rights-of-way within the City are planned as a means of maintaining the availability of land for facilities to support proposed development.
POLICY 3.5: Percentage of developments with facilities in place concurrent with the impacts of development. The City will enforce a concurrency management system that monitors and manages new growth in conformance with Florida’s Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act.
POLICY 3.6: The City shall periodically monitor its concurrency management system to make sure that it is current and accurate. Further, the City shall review its capital improvements program to ensure that capacity expansions will be available to served new development when appropriate.
POLICY 3.7: The City shall conduct frequent sampling and monitoring of surface waters based upon local, regional and state regulations.
POLICY 3.8: An extensive system of public and private open space areas shall be maintained by the City including natural reservations, parks, and waterways compatible with the tropical character of Broward County, in policies reflective of open space preservation.
POLICY 3.9: The City shall Implement supportive policy to identify, conserve and protect all water conservation and recharge areas and endangered and threatened species consistent with the requirements of the State Comprehensive Plan.
POLICY 3.10: The City shall enact legislation supporting the efforts of Broward County and the SFWMD to evaluate climate change and its impacts.
POLICY 3.11: School enrollment projections compared to the School District’s Adopted Five-Year District Educational Facilities Plan, as adopted by reference into the Capital Improvement Element.
POLICY 3.12: The City shall periodically review all interlocal agreements and related capital improvements work plans to ensure that they are current.
POLICY 3.13: The City will annually update its Capital Improvements Schedule.
POLICY 3.14: City staff participation and attendance at meetings, workgroups, and committees regarding public school concurrency, siting, and joint use.
POLICY 3.15: The City will do an annual review of properties owned by School Board, Broward County, and City.
POLICY 3.16: The City will do an annual review and comment on the School District’s Tentative Five-Year DEFP.
POLICY 3.17: Attendance to pertinent Superintendent’s Site Review Committee Meetings and the Oversight Committee and Staff Working Group meetings regularly to ensure compatibility with land uses and future school sites.
POLICY 3.18: The City pursuant to the ILA, shall coordinate the location of public school facilities, with the School Board and Broward County relative to the location of other public facilities such as parks, libraries and community centers and promote schools to be focal points within the community.
POLICY 3.19: The City will continue to have a commitment to direct interaction with its citizens. The Planning Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Public Art Committee, Parks and Recreation Board, and others all afford direct participation to the public.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City shall coordinate findings from the EAR and EAR-based amendments with proposed improvements.
POLICY 4.1: The Community Development department will collaborate with personnel from various City departments to ensure the periodic updating of the Plan’s adopted components through the EAR and EARbased amendments. Such updates will be meticulously coordinated and aligned with the Plan’s supporting documentation.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall implement, and update as needed, the adopted Land Development Code to require that development provide, as required by the City or other service providers, adequate sites for community facilities, including, but not limited to, school sites, parks and recreation sites, public utility sites, and others.
POLICY 4.3: The City shall implement the Housing Element policies to provide sufficient affordable housing.
POLICY 4.4: The City shall support policies which direct growth through transit-oriented and redevelopment policies in order to discourage urban sprawl, maximize the use of existing public facilities and centralized commercial, governmental, retail, residential, and cultural activities.
POLICY 4.5: The City will sign the appropriate interlocal agreements within mandated timeframes required by the State of Florida.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall optimize strategic location of the City by coordinating with adjacent municipalities and relevant agencies to support regional mass transit efforts to and from major employment regions.
POLICY 4.7: The City shall develop a plan to increase efforts of adult educational programming, training and workforce development pathways, mobility accessibility to and from major transit corridors, marketing efforts for affordable and sustainable housing solutions, and remediation and reduction of legacy pollution to historically uninvested areas, as identified by Federal Justice40 economic opportunity tracts.
POLICY 4.8: The City shall provide resources for livability and attractiveness to the business community in an endeavor to support its growing population.
The City’s Future Land Use policies reflect a vision centered on the prosperity and well-being of its growing community. Balancing growth with sustainability, the city seeks to enhance residents’ quality of life while fostering opportunities for equitable development that is accessible and convenient for residents. Key considerations include promoting sustainable practices, managing traffic effectively, and preserving open spaces and natural assets. Efforts to revitalize commercial areas, streamline permitting processes, and encourage economic investment highlight Tamarac’s commitment to progress. Attainable housing, incentives for new investors, and community beautification projects further demonstrate the city’s dedication to creating spaces that inspire pride and connectivity among residents. These efforts, combined with a focus on gathering spaces and neighborhood identity, showcase the City’s aspirations for a vibrant and balanced future.
5
P LA N COMPREHENSIV THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE, DESIGNED FOR YOUR FUTURE.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: The City will promote land uses that encourage smart community growth, maximize economic benefits, protect and preserve the natural environment, and minimize threats to health, safety, and welfare.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City intends to promote smart growth and orderly development through the adoption, maintenance, and implementation of its Future Land Use Element.
POLICY 1.1: The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) is hereby adopted into the Comprehensive Plan and will continue to provide for a mix of residential, mixed use and non-residential land use categories as outlined below and designated on the Map. The goal is to encourage smart growth principles by promoting efficient and sustainable land development that optimizes infrastructure investments, consumes less land and supports the development of functionally integrated communities.
POLICY 1.2: This Future Land Use Element establishes the following specific density and intensity standards for each future land use category:
As allocated in the Broward County Land Use Plan, as amended, for Tamarac Activity Center
Acreage: Approximately 133.57 acres
Local Activity Center
Residential:
• Low Density
• Low-Medium
• Medium
• Medium-High
• High
Residential Land Uses: 1,875 dwelling units
Non-Residential Land Uses: Commercial: 122.4 acres (maximum)
Community Facilities: 7.96 acres (minimum)
Recreation and Open Space: 3.21 acres (minimum)
• Up to 5 du/ac
• Up to 10 du/ac
• Up to 16 du/ac
• Up to 25 du/ac
• Up to 50 du/ac
Dwelling units from any given residential category may be substituted for dwelling units of another type provided that the substitution results in the same or lesser student generation using the county’s adopted student generation rates. All nonresidential properties - Commercial, Community Facilities, Recreation and Open Space - are permitted a maximum FAR of 3.0.
For all residential densities, dwelling units, wireless communication facilities, special residential facilities, day care facilities, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, and limited offices and retail sales.
Commercial
Shall be determined by the applicable statutory and local land use policy governing the property at the time of development
Maximum FAR of 3.0
Max Lot Coverage 60%
Mixed-Use
Medium
Mixed-Use High
Industrial
Commercial
Recreation
Recreation
Up to 25 du/ac
FAR minimum 2.0 (Gross)
Up to 50 du/ac
Non-residential FAR minimum 2.0 (Gross)
Shall be determined by the applicable statutory and local land use policy governing the property at the time of development
Maximum 70% Impervious Areas
Maximum Lot Coverage 60%
Shall be determined by the applicable statutory and local land use policy governing the property at the time of development
1.0 FAR
Maximum 70% Impervious Areas
Shall be determined by the applicable statutory and local land use policy governing the property at the time of development
1.0 FAR
Maximum 70% Impervious Areas
Conservation N/A
Utilities Maximum 70% Impervious Areas
Retail, office and business, recreation and entertainment, day care facilities, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, lodging facilities, community facilities (see Policy 1.9), public utilities, special residential facilities (see Policy 1.10), day care facilities, educational facilities, health care facilities, lodging, communications facilities, and residential mixed-use with a minimum non-outdoor commercial use component of 5% Gross Building Floor Area (see Policy 1.11). Residential use may be a primary use.
Lands designated “Commercial” or “Commerce” on the local land use plan (see Policy 2.3.4 of the Broward County Land Use Plan) may be decreased by twenty percent (20%) and (re) designated to a land use category consistent with the residential land use categories.
Residential Mixed-Use is required as a primary use. A commercial use must be provided with a minimum non-outdoor commercial use component of 5% Gross Building Floor Area. Commercial uses include retail, office and business, recreation and entertainment, day care facilities, educational facilities, health care facilities, lodging, and communication facilities.
Industrial, communication facilities, recreation, community facilities and utilities, limited commercial and retail businesses, and manufacturing and production uses, warehouse, wholesale, and freight movement uses, and waste and salvage uses.
Recreation facilities, ancillary hotels, golf courses, accessory retail, community facilities, minor utilities, wireless communication facilities, and other active/passive recreation uses.
Active and passive recreation, boat ramps/ docks, cultural, educational and community facilities, wireless communication facilities, hotels, utilities, and limited commercial uses.
Passive recreation and open space.
Utilities, community facilities, and communications facilities.
Community Facilities
Shall be determined by the applicable statutory and local land use policy governing the property at the time of development
1.0 FAR
Maximum 70% Impervious Areas
Major Transportation
N/A
Community facilities, educational facilities, health care facilities, parks and open space, funeral and internment services, communication facilities, utilities, and special residential facilities.
Expressways.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall adhere to the following requirements governing the Local Activity Center (LAC), Mixed-Use Medium and Mixed-Use High land use designations:
a. Pedestrian mobility shall be a priority. All land uses in the LAC, “Mixed-Use Medium” and “Mixed-Use High” shall be directly accessed via pedestrian ways and accessible within a quarter mile walk and/or within approximately quarter mile on either side of a transit corridor, to existing or planned alternative public transportation modes, including bicycle and transit.
b. Design guidelines shall be maintained in the Land Development Code to ensure that all destinations within the LAC are fully connected to well-defined pedestrian paths, bicycle routes, and greenways, and transit shelters to address the transition to adjacent residential development and to promote connectivity to transit stations and stops to provide safe and comfortable service and to encourage transit usage.
c. Park land and open space accessible to the public shall be included as a functional component of the LAC.
d. All destinations within the Mixed-Use Medium, Mixed-Use High, and LAC shall be served by the City’s Transit Community Bus Service. The Mixed-Use Medium, Mixed-Use High and LAC designations will support the location of uses and internal circulation such that pedestrian mobility is a priority.
e. Residential use is required as a principal component within a Mixed-Use Medium, Mixed-Use High, and LAC Quality, affordable housing opportunities can be included as a functional component of the LAC through the allocation of public housing program funds, density bonuses, or other mechanisms available to the City.
f. To ensure that all properties can be developed within the overall density and intensity limitations of the LAC, the City shall establish and implement a development monitoring system.
g. Acreage for non-residential land uses shall be assigned on a gross acreage basis to all lands included within the development parcel needed to comply with on-site land development requirements, such as, but not limited to, building footprint, setbacks, parking, outdoor pedestrian circulation, landscaping, drainage, etc. Within mixed use projects, acreage shall be assigned according to the proportion of floor area associated with each use (e.g. if 50 percent of the floor area is used for A, then 50 percent of the gross acreage of the development parcel will be assigned to A).
h. Design guidelines shall be maintained in the Land Development Code to ensure mixed use development that promotes an urban form which creates well integrated land use combinations, balances intensity and density, and promotes safe, interconnectivity of vehicular, pedestrian, and other non-motorized movement, while integrating the public realm, through open space, urban public plazas and/or recreational areas.
i. Design guidelines shall be maintained to ensure mixed use development is compatible with adjacent land uses and adjacent Future Land Use designations.
POLICY 1.4: The City will continue to implement its Code of Ordinances and will amend them as required to regulate future land use through proper site planning, subdivision, and zoning provisions; and will regulate signs by implementing the sign code; and will continue to subject land development proposals to an engineering review concerning seasonal or periodic flooding.
POLICY 1.5: The Community Development Department will continue to review land use plan amendments, zoning amendments, site plans, and plat approval requests for compatibility with adjacent land uses as currently required in the Code of Ordinances. The Land Development Code revisions should address criteria to be used in reviews for determining whether there is compatibility among adjacent land uses. The Community Development Department will continue to review the Planning Commission Board agendas of surrounding cities to identify land use proposals which might affect the City.
POLICY 1.6: The City will continue to promote “quality development” in all land use categories by the establishment and implementation of design criteria and development standards in the Land Development Code which promote the highest standards of urban development and community aesthetics.
POLICY 1.7: The Community Development, Building, Fire, and Public Services Departments will continue their efforts to identify areas in which reviews can be streamlined, and in which criteria for review can be improved, including the establishment of a One-Stop Permitting Center.
POLICY 1.8: The City shall continue to have platting regulations enforced through its Land Development Code in accordance with the Broward County Land Use Plan.
POLICY 1.9: The City shall continue to permit conservation uses as activities within land areas designated for the purpose of conserving or protecting natural resources or environmental quality and includes areas designated for such purposes as flood control, protection of quality or quantity of groundwater or surface water, floodplain management, fisheries management, or protection of vegetative communities or wildlife habitat.
POLICY 1.10: The City shall continue to permit special residential facilities. These facilities are licensed to serve clients of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services which provides a living environment for unrelated residents who operate as a functional equivalent of a family, including such supervision and care by support staff as may be necessary to meet the physical, emotional and social needs of the residents.
POLICY 1.11: Residential uses are permitted as part of a mixed use development, without the need to amend the FLUM, provided that flexibility or redevelopment units are applied to the parcel in one or more of the following manner. a. Applying form-based regulations with higher density along major corridors which includes: affordable housing through the use of affordable housing bonus density per Broward County Land Use Plan Policy 2.16.3. b. Affordable units are allowed as single use residential dwellings without the need for mixed use development per the Broward County Land Use Plan; and/or b. Residential units within the same structure as commercial uses for the owner, manager or caretaker of the commercial uses may be located in areas designated commercial. c. Special Residential Facilities such as group homes and foster care facilities are subject, when applicable, to the Special Residential Facilities provisions and allocation of redevelopment, flexibility, or bonus sleeping rooms as contained in the “Administrative Rules Document: Broward County Land Use Plan.”
POLICY 1.12: The City will implement its Land Development Code pertaining to design guidelines for all mixed-use land use categories to promote an urban form which creates well integrated land use combinations, balances intensity and density, and promotes the safe, interconnectivity of vehicular, pedestrian and other non-motorized movement, compatible with adjacent land uses and Future Land Use designations and consistent with Broward County Land Use Plan policies 2.4.1 through 2.4.20, and with the Activity Center subsection in the County Plans entitled “Permitted Uses”.
POLICY 1.13: The City shall prioritize the focus of density and intensity efforts along major thoroughfares to revitalize its major commercial corridors, encouraging economic growth and innovative redevelopment.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will enforce, and update as necessary, the adopted Land Development Code to maintain provisions for adequate analysis of soils, natural resources, topography, services and facilities availability before permitting development in the City.
POLICY 2.1: The City will maintain Land Development Code which incorporate adequate response to soils, natural resources and topographic constraints. Further, the City’s requirements with respect to the provision of adequate services and facilities before permitting development will be kept sufficient to protect the City’s interest.
POLICY 2.2: Facilities and services must meet the level of service standards established by this Comprehensive Plan. Facilities and services must be available concurrently with development or development orders and permits issued by the City must be specifically conditioned on the availability of facilities and services necessary to serve the proposed development.
POLICY 2.3: In order to protect its existing and future potable water supply, the City shall continue to be governed by Broward County’s Wellfield Protection Ordinance. The Ordinance limits land uses within the zone surrounding municipal wellfields.
POLICY 2.4: The City will continue to enforce its tree preservation ordinance standards, including requiring a tree removal license for all tree relocations or removals, mandating the replacement of protected trees with equivalent species, and ensuring compliance with mitigation requirements for any tree disturbances, as outlined in Ordinance No. O-2023-014.
POLICY 2.5: The City will protect and conserve wetlands and the natural functions of wetlands, and direct future land uses which are incompatible with the conservation and protection of wetlands away from identified wetland areas.
POLICY 2.6: The City will incorporate Low Impact Development standards recommended by the U.S. EPA and designed to conserve the natural systems and hydrologic functions of a site into the Land Development Code.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City will provide for sites on the Future Land Use Map for required community facilities.
POLICY 3.1: The Public Services and Community Development Departments, through the Development Review Committee, based on utility master plans, will identify utility and community facilities sites required to serve new development.
POLICY 3.2: The Development Review Committee, Planning Board and the City Commission will continue to enforce the Land Development Code requirements concerning the dedication of land or fees for park and recreation sites, as well as for local streets.
POLICY 3.3: The City shall consider the individual and cumulative impacts of land use plan amendments on existing and planned public elementary and secondary education facilities.
POLICY 3.4: The City shall support the development of a local community cultural/ performing arts facility readily accessible to residents.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City will provide for land use categories in the Future Land Use Element and Map which allow for the continued development of housing at a variety of densities, for a variety of lifestyles.
POLICY 4.1: The Community Development Department will continue to review the zoning, plat, and site plan requirements in order to identify Code improvements which would not limit the variety of housing in the City.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall continue existing programs and encourage the development of affordable housing, which assists low and moderate-income households to meet the needs of the City’s existing and future residential population and economic activities.
POLICY 4.3: The City shall continue to evaluate its Land Development Code and permitting processes to support affordable housing, by including incentives, expedited permitting, and/or fee waivers.
POLICY 4.4: The City’s Land Development Code shall include provisions to encourage or enable a variety of housing opportunities in variety of unit sizes, to include housing for low and moderate-income families.
POLICY 4.5: The City will continue to evaluate its existing housing stock conditions and encourage affordability in identified areas.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall encourage developers to make use of the City’s Flexibility and Redevelopment Units as determined by the Broward County Land Use Plan.
POLICY 4.7: The City shall encourage mixed-use and affordable housing developments along roadways classified as a State road or County arterial, per the Broward Highway Functional Classification map, or other road or portion thereof, or are located no more than one-half (1/2) mile from a passenger rail station per Broward County Land Use Plan policy 2.16.4 as amended.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City will continue throughout the planning period to perform adequate maintenance, upkeep, and updating of its utilities, streets, and drainage systems in order to prevent blight.
POLICY 5.1: The City will continue to monitor through its Community Development Department demographic and economic data concerning all neighborhoods in the City, and will apply for grants in aid for beautification, safe neighborhoods, parks and recreation improvements, and other facilities and service improvements throughout the planning period.
POLICY 5.2: The City will continue to utilize the Code Compliance Division to prevent and remove blight.
POLICY 5.3: The City, by enforcement of its Land Development Code, will continue to require that adequate storm water management and drainage facilities be provided before development can be permitted.
POLICY 5.4: The City will also continue to include an assessment of whether proposed land uses are consistent with the City’s character.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City will continue to monitor and protect natural and historic resources.
POLICY 6.1: The City will continue to implement the Citywide Master Landscape Plan approved by the City Commission.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall promote the acquisition, retention and management of unique natural areas for their preservation and protection as a public asset.
POLICY 6.3: The City shall continue to preserve and protect any existing historic resources located in the City and periodically assess environmental, architectural and archaeological resources in need of future preservation.
POLICY 6.4: The City shall continue to promote the rehabilitation and use of historic buildings in the City.
POLICY 6.5: The City will continue throughout the planning period to operate and maintain parks, recreation, and open space system.
OBJECTIVE 7: Establish Land Development Code to improve quality of air, preserve surface waters, enhance ground waters, and protect identified floodplains and areas subject to seasonal or periodic flooding, while eliminating future flood problems through planned growth.
POLICY 7.1: The City’s Land Development Code shall provide for the protection and creation of surface waters in conformance with State and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) policies.
POLICY 7.2: New development adjacent to or in the vicinity of surface waters shall be designed so as to minimize the direct discharge of stormwater runoff into such bodies of water.
POLICY 7.3: The City shall coordinate development review and permitting programs with the wetlands permitting and mitigation programs of the appropriate local, state, and federal jurisdictional agencies.
POLICY 7.4: The City shall consider the impact of land use plan amendments on wetland resources and minimize those impacts to the maximum extent practicable.
POLICY 7.5: The City’s Land Development Code shall contain floodplain protection provisions consistent with the criteria and mapping of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
POLICY 7.6: The City shall require redevelopment within identified floodplains to address existing flooding problems.
POLICY 7.7: The City will require new non-residential developments shall provide pre-treatment for stormwater runoff through grassy swales, wetlands filtration, ex-filtration trenches or other means consistent with the Best Management Practices of the South Florida Water Management District.
POLICY 7.8: The City will regulate development on flood prone soils, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, consistent with the criteria and mapping of the FEMA.
POLICY 7.9: The City’s Land Development Code and Zoning will coordinate the land uses and future land use changes with the availability of water supplies and water supply facilities.
OBJECTIVE 8: The City will continue to keep in place subdivision and the Land Development Code to promote well planned, orderly, and attractive development which is consistent with the City’s adopted Capital Improvement Element and with the policies of the Broward County Land Use Plan.
POLICY 8.1: The City’s Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations shall continue to incorporate a review process for assessing the adequacy of public services and facilities. New development shall be established only within those areas where adequate public services and facilities exist, or are scheduled to be available, in accordance with the City’s adopted Capital Improvement Element.
POLICY 8.2: The City’s Land Development Code shall continue to provide for both timely completion and regular maintenance of all required capital improvements and amenities.
POLICY 8.3: The City’s Land Development Code shall protect, whenever possible, existing and planned residential areas, including single family neighborhoods, from disruptive land uses and nuisances.
POLICY 8.4: The City shall continue to account for the City’s tourist and seasonal populations when making projections or sizing infrastructure or facilities.
POLICY 8.5: The City’s development review permits shall be consistent with the “Development Review Requirements” section of the Broward County Land Use Plan.
POLICY 8.6: The City shall institute procedures to identify the cumulative effect of proposed development on public services and facilities.
POLICY 8.7: The City shall encourage source separation and recycling of solid waste.
POLICY 8.8: The City shall develop and implement post-disaster redevelopment and hazard mitigation land use controls and develop regulations including strong preventative measures, to protect the health, safety and welfare of its current and future residents.
POLICY 8.9: The City shall continue to apply the minimum floor elevation standards for building sites for new constructions defined by the FEMA.
OBJECTIVE 9: The City will continue to lead by example and implement land use controls which promote ‘green practices’ and communities that are attractive, well maintained, and that contribute to the health, safety, and welfare of residents and users.
POLICY 9.1: The City’s Future Land Use Element shall continue to contain land use policies for commercial and industrial development which will act as the basis for the Land Development Code. These provisions are written to protect residential areas from any negative aspects of commercial and industrial activities.
POLICY 9.2: The City’s Land Development Code shall continue to provide for differing intensities of commercial development which are compatible with adjacent and surrounding land uses.
POLICY 9.3: The City shall continue to implement its Land Development Code which address the noise, vibration, air pollution, glare, heat, solid waste, hazardous waste, fire, and explosion impacts of industry.
POLICY 9.4: The City will require that all new commercial and industrial development in the City shall be serviced by centralized wastewater systems.
POLICY 9.5: The City will not permit amendments to the City’s Future Land Use Map which propose land use categories within wellfield protection zones of influence which are in conflict with the provisions of the Broward County Wellfield Protection Ordinance.
POLICY 9.6: The City will continue to not permit mining operation, except for onsite dredge and fill for permitted projects in the City.
POLICY 9.7: The City will continue to facilitate the development of commercial, industrial, utilities, and other nonresidential land uses to ensure they are located in a manner compatible with adjacent land uses and does not adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or aesthetics of existing or future residential areas.
POLICY 9.8: The City shall continue and upgrade as necessary its Land Development Code requirements for buffering and setbacks for incompatible uses, including, but not limited to, overhead electric lines and electric substations and power lines.
POLICY 9.9: The City will continue to establish Land Development Code that employ Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to reduce the incidence of crime.
POLICY 9.10: To allow both the public and private sectors to respond to changing conditions and permit the appropriate location of neighborhood commercial uses within or adjacent to established residential neighborhoods, the City shall use that flexibility outlined in the Broward County Land Use Plan which shall permit up to 5% of the area designated residential within a flexibility zone to be used for neighborhood commercial uses subject to Policy 2.10.1 and the restrictions identified within the Residential Permitted Uses subsection of the Permitted Uses section of the Broward County Land Use Plan.
POLICY 9.11: The City shall not encourage amendments to the Land Use Plan which would result in the loss of open space, including golf courses. In those cases where necessary and applicable and which support the vitality of the surrounding area, the applicant shall submit a study which demonstrates the necessity and how the recreation and open space needs of the existing and projected residents of the community will be met, including how the negative impacts of the loss of open space on surrounding neighborhoods will be minimized or mitigated.
POLICY 9.12: The City shall continue to implement ‘green’ practices and activities which qualify the City as a Green Community certified at the silver level by the Florida Green Building Coalition.
POLICY 9.13: The City shall consider the provision of incentives in the Land Development Code such as expedited review, reduced fees, bonus floor area and/or additional dwelling units for buildings that are intended to achieve a State or nationally recognized green building certification.
POLICY 9.14: The City shall continue to incorporate ‘green’ and ‘smart’ building and site practices into the quality development design criteria and development standards contained in the Land Development Code.
POLICY 9.15: The City shall maintain its action plan to initiate a city-wide Blue Zone Project to transform the environments in which residents live, work and play to improve their emotional, physical and social health.
OBJECTIVE 10: The City will continue to enforce its Land Development Code which address controlled access to adjacent traffic circulation facilities, adequate onsite traffic circulation, and off-street parking for existing and planned commercial development.
POLICY 10.1: The regional roadway network and the Broward County Trafficways Plan shall be protected in the City by continuing to enforce the City’s Land Development Code concerning access control to those facilities.
POLICY 10.2: The City’s Land Development Code shall continue to require safe and convenient onsite traffic circulation and adequate off-street parking.
POLICY 10.3: The City shall ensure that future industrial land uses shall be located with access to major transportation facilities including the arterial streets and the Sawgrass Expressway.
POLICY 10.4: Through provisions in the Land Development Code, public roads and parking lots shall be designed consistent with the criteria of the South Florida Water Management District.
POLICY 10.5: The City shall continue to apply the minimum road crown elevation standard of the South Florida Water Management District.
OBJECTIVE 11: Direct growth through transit-oriented and redevelopment policies in order to discourage urban sprawl, maximize the use of existing public facilities and centralized commercial, governmental, retail, residential, and cultural activities.
POLICY 11.1: Except for schools, all allowed regional and community facilities shall be located close to major arterials and mass transit lines which are demonstrated to be adequate to serve these facilities.
POLICY 11.2: The City shall encourage parcel assembly, replatting, and higher residential density with design standards in areas identified for mixed use zoning to maximize property values.
POLICY 11.3: The City shall utilize standards for redevelopment along major thoroughfares, to encourage transit-oriented designs and residential densities which will in turn serve as a buffer between major roadways and low-density neighborhoods.
POLICY 11.4: The City shall encourage the use of Planned Developments (PDs) to offer more variation and flexible land use patterns that facilitate the progressive redevelopment of property within areas designated for Mixed-Use and Commercial.
OBJECTIVE 12: The City shall maintain a concurrency management system to ensure the availability of facilities and services, which meet the adopted level of service standards as identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, concurrent with the impacts of new development.
POLICY 12.1: The City shall continue to ensure that adequate facilities and services are in place to accommodate proposed development and to assess the impacts which proposed development will have on existing public facilities and services and monitor ongoing concurrency findings for cumulative impacts on public services and facilities.
POLICY 12.2: The City’s Land Development Code site plan approval process shall require that the necessary regional and municipal facilities and services are available concurrent with the impacts of development through any of the following scenarios:
1. The necessary facilities are in place at the time the City issues site plan approval; or
2. The necessary facilities are under construction at the time of issuance of a site plan approval; or
3. The necessary facilities are the subject of a binding contract executed for the construction of those necessary facilities at the time the City issues site plan approval; or
4. The necessary facilities have been included in the City or Broward County annual budget at the time the City issues site plan approval, although the facilities are not yet the subject of a binding contract for their construction, the City shall make the determination that it will not remove the budgetary provision for the necessary facilities from its budget.
In addition, applicants for development approval will demonstrate such determination from Broward County before the City approves a site plan in cases where county services or facilities are necessary.
POLICY 12.3: The City will discourage any activities in the vicinity of the Broward County Land Use Plan Local Area of Particular Concern (LAPC) which would have a detrimental effect on it.
POLICY 12.4: The following level of service standards are established by the City for each public facility within the municipal boundary.
1. Public Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:
• 3.0 acres/1,000 population; and
• 3.5 acres of improved private park land per 1,000 population, exclusive of stormwater management areas; up to fifteen percent of this may be met by golf course land.
2. Potable Water:
• 110 gpcd, Tamarac Public Services;
• 115 gpcd, Broward County; and
• 107 gpcd, Fort Lauderdale.
3. Sanitary Sewer:
• 131 gpcd, Tamarac Public Services; and
• 124 gpcd, Broward County.
4. Solid Waste:
• 12.0 pounds per capita per day. (Contractually available capacity at the Broward County Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility.)
5. Transportation: In addition to Broward County’s Transit Oriented Concurrency System, the City will maintain the following LOS standards:
• LOS “D” for: Florida Turnpike – two-way peak hour Sawgrass Expressway – two-way peak hour County collector roadways – two-way peak hour City collector roadways – two-way peak hour; and
• LOS “D” for: City local roadways – two-way peak hour.
6. Drainage:
• FEMA criteria for minimum floor elevation and protection of floodplains;
• Standards as established by the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management, South Florida Water Management District, Broward County Water Management Division and the City for off-site discharge, on-site retention and best management practices for pollutant discharge;
• Ten (10) year – one (1) day storm peak stage elevation is equal or lower than the lowest catch basin rim elevations within the roadway or parking area; and
• Twenty-five (25) year – three (3) day storm peak stage elevation is equal or lower than the perimeter elevation.
POLICY 12.5: Prior to issuance of building permits, the City shall ensure that the public facilities and services necessary to meet the level of service standards established within the City’s Comprehensive Plan will be available concurrent with the impact of development, consistent with Chapter 163.3202(g), Florida Statutes.
OBJECTIVE 13: The City’s Land Use Element and Land Use Plan amendments shall successfully complete the Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, Local Comprehensive Plan requirements and maintain Recertification by the Broward County Planning Council.
POLICY 13.1: The compatibility of existing and future land uses shall be a primary consideration by the Community Development Department in review and approval of amendments to the City Land Use Element. POLICY 13.2: The City’s utilization of the Broward County Land Use Plan “Flexibility Rules,” as per Policy 2.10.1 of Broward County Land Use Plan, shall be subject to a determination by the Broward County Commission that such allocation is compatible with adjacent land uses, and that impacts on public school facilities have been adequately considered. Allocations of “Flexibility Units” or “Redevelopment Units”, “as defined within the Broward County Land Use Plan shall be exempt from this Policy, consistent with the conditions outlined in Broward County Land Use Plan.
OBJECTIVE 14: Development in the Tamarac Commerce Park shall comply with the goals and objectives of the City’s Economic Development Strategy.
POLICY 14.1: The Community Development Department will work with the property owners, developers, Planning Board, City Commission and interested members of the public to ensure the proper planning of this area with the goal of establishing a world class Business Center.
POLICY 14.2: The City Commission, Planning Board, City Manager and the Community Development Department will continue to promote the economic development of the Tamarac Commerce Park, by actively recruiting business and industry to provide employment opportunities for residents while building the community’s tax base.
OBJECTIVE 15: Maintain an extensive system of public and private open space areas including natural reservations, parks, and waterways compatible with the tropical character of Broward County.
POLICY 15.1: The City shall pursue programs that will ensure the provisions of, and access to open space areas consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan and the Broward County Land Use Plan.
POLICY 15.2: The City shall pursue and implement programs, when feasible, that increase access and connectivity to outdoor recreational opportunities and open-air activities.
POLICY 15.3: The City shall explore the utilization of vacant land to improve the park’s level of service and address deficiencies in the acreage of recreation and open space.
POLICY 15.4: The City shall promote integration of on-site recreational amenities as integral components of redevelopment projects to enhance the city’s public facilities.
OBJECTIVE 16: The City recognizes the over-riding need for the provision of public school facilities equipped to support the existing and future student population and their educational needs and is committed to working with the Broward County School Board in locating appropriate sites to accommodate these new facilities.
POLICY 16.1: The City shall utilize the following guidelines for land areas designated for individual school facilities, as identified by the School Board of Broward County:
Elementary school:
• Student Capacity: 995 Site Size: 12 Acres
• Dimensions (Feet): 720 x 720
Elementary Schools generally serve a neighborhood or a small group of neighborhoods where students have a short distance to walk. Land uses should be predominantly residential with housing types and densities to meet the school’s enrollment capacity. Playgrounds can be collocated with elementary schools. In higher density areas, neighborhood parks with elderly facilities, neighborhood recreation centers, and library branches can be included.
Middle school:
• Student Capacity: 1,719
• Site Size: 20 Acres
• Dimensions (Feet): 1,250 (front) x 730 (depth)
Middle schools have a community orientation, and a limited mix of commercial and residential uses nearby is acceptable. Community parks, athletic fields, community centers, and libraries are appropriate for collocation.
High school:
• Student Capacity: 2,677
• Site Size: 45 Acres
• Dimensions (Feet): 1,300 (front) x 1,500 (depth)
High schools should be buffered from residential areas. The campus should be large enough to encourage students to remain onsite and to ensure sufficient parking and traffic controls to avoid disruptive offsite parking and dangerous driving situations on neighborhood roads. Collocated public facilities can include community centers, community or district parks, athletic fields, and libraries.
POLICY 16.2: In order to provide as many siting opportunities for locating new schools as possible, and recognizing public schools as an important community commodity, public schools shall be consistent with the following land use categories:
1. Low (0-5) Residential
2. Low Medium (5-10) Residential
3. Medium (10-16) Residential
4. Medium High (16-25) Residential
5. High (50) Residential
6. Mixed-Use Medium
7. Mixed-Use High
8. Commercial
9. Community Facilities
10. Industrial
The City consists of approximately 7,420.16 (Census 2023 GEOINFO) total acres, of which 5,481 acres (73.8 percent) will have a future land use designation that allows public schools upon adoption of the school siting and collocation Future Land Use Element. Given that approximately 73.8 percent of all lands within the City have future land use designations that permit public schools, it is reasonable to assume that future land use designations will not be an impediment in location and development of new public school sites.
POLICY 16.3: The City, in its effort to assist in providing suitable locations for new public schools, shall encourage collocation of new schools with existing and new public facilities, including libraries, parks, and community centers. The following criteria shall be used in selecting appropriate sites:
1. Availability of vacant land and adjacent land use patterns;
2. Demographics;
3. Applicable health, safety, and welfare issues impacting the proposed site(s) (i.e., contaminated sites, wellfield protection);
4. Level of service standards for existing infrastructure and necessary upgrades to accommodate new educational facility; and
5. Proximity to existing residential neighborhoods and mass transit.
POLICY 16.4: Any proposed collocation of new schools and public facilities shall be compatible with surrounding land development patterns, and shall be an enhancement to the community as a whole.
POLICY 16.5: In assessing its Capital Improvement Plan and project funding schedule, the City shall give consideration to collocation of proposed community facilities with public schools.
POLICY 16.6: The City shall incorporate provisions in its Land Development Code to require new residential and non-residential development adjacent to educational facilities to install features which will enhance compatibility, including but not limited to walls, solid hedges or increased building setbacks.
POLICY 16.7: The City shall continue to incorporate provisions in its Land Development Code to encourage the provision of safe pedestrian and bicycle access to public schools.
POLICY 16.8: The City shall encourage siting of new public schools in locations with convenient access to mass transit.
OBJECTIVE 17: Identify, conserve and protect all water conservation and recharge areas and endangered and threatened species consistent with the applicable requirements of the State and Broward County Comprehensive Plans.
POLICY 17.1: No solid-fill transportation facilities or similar structures shall be permitted within the City’s identified water conservation areas without provisions for maintaining the freshwater sheet flow.
POLICY 17.2: Protect the minimum seasonal flows and levels of surface watercourses, as established by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
POLICY 17.3: Protect and conserve those areas known to be reproduction, nesting, and feeding areas for animals listed as endangered or threatened species or species of special concern.
POLICY 17.4: Protect and conserve those areas known to contain plant species listed in the Regulated Plant Index for protection by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
OBJECTIVE 18: Coordinate transportation planning activities with land use decisions to ensure that the regional roadway network levels of service standards are met.
POLICY 18.1: Portions of the regional roadway network within the City’s jurisdiction shall conform to the adopted levels of service and concurrency management systems consistent with Broward County Transportation Element.
POLICY 18.2: The City shall utilize the highway capacity methodology endorsed by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization to determine the capacities and levels of service on the regional roadway network.
POLICY 18.3: The City shall consider the individual and cumulative impacts of land use plan amendments on the existing and planned transportation facilities within the City.
OBJECTIVE 19: Ensure the City’s rights-of-way are proactively planned, maintained, and protected to support proposed developments and have the ability to provide for and accommodate continued growth.
POLICY 19.1: Rights-of-way sufficient to meet the requirements of Broward County Trafficways Plan shall be conveyed to the public by deed, easement or other legal means at the time of plat recordation.
POLICY 19.2: To safeguard the transportation corridors identified in the Broward County Trafficways Plan within the City, development within the City must meet setback requirements from identified rights-of-way prior to final Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The City shall provide an administrative relief process to ensure that such setbacks do not completely deny the beneficial use of the property proposed for development.
POLICY 19.3: The City will explore identifying roadways within its jurisdiction where acquiring more right-of-way is necessary to support future growth.
Transportation plays a vital role in community opportunity, and in Tamarac, we aim to enhance connectivity for bicycling, walking, and transit use. This involves maintaining existing infrastructure with high-quality standards and carefully planning new facilities. As Broward County undergoes rapid change, our city can enhance its connectivity by ensuring efficient traffic flow, implementing intersection improvement projects, and strongly enforcing parking and traffic codes. The Comprehensive Plan for the City presents a chance to address pressing transportation issues, from traffic congestion and safety along University Drive and Commercial Boulevard to disparities among districts, rising crime rates, and noise mitigation along major corridors. Priorities include sustainability initiatives such as vehicle fleet electrification and supporting SMART technologies pertaining to multi-modal mobility efforts and system improvements. The Transportation Element aims for a multi-modal, safe, and efficient system that meets residents’ needs, while also reducing vehicle miles traveled. It establishes standards for major roadways, promotes complete streets, transit-oriented development, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and greenways. Tamarac’s vision prioritizes the development of a comprehensive transportation network that accommodates various modes of transportation and aims to alleviate congestion, thereby encouraging a shift towards alternative modes. This vision is dedicated to promoting active transportation, prioritizing safety based on Vision Zero principles, and ensuring accessibility for residents, visitors, and businesses at both local and regional levels.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: To develop and maintain an overall multimodal transportation system that will provide for the transportation needs of all sectors of the community in a safe, efficient, cost effective and aesthetically pleasing manner.
OBJECTIVE 1: To the extent that the City has control, the City will ensure that transportation facilities and services, identified in this element, meet the level of service standards established within the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
POLICY 1.1: To maintain those level of service standards identified within the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the City shall, prior to final action on amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, determine whether adequate transportation facilities and services will be available to serve the proposed development.
POLICY 1.2: Prior to plat, site plan or other development or use approval, the City and/or County shall evaluate the transportation facilities and services necessary to meet the level of service standards established within the City’s Comprehensive Plan and will be available concurrent with the impacts of the development.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall enforce its land development code and regulations to ensure that all new development in the City meets the level of service standards established within the Comprehensive Plan. The City’s Community Development Department shall evaluate all development applications for compliance with the adopted Transportation Level of Service.
POLICY 1.4: The City shall utilize the highway capacity methodology or other approved acceptable methodologies endorsed by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to determine the capacities and levels of service on appropriate roadways. The City reserves the ability to address detailed capacity determinations by separate link analysis.
POLICY 1.5: The City shall uphold the following Transit Level of Service Standards consistent with Broward County’s Transportation Concurrency Management System:
In areas of the City within the North Central Concurrency District, the level of service is as follows:
1. Achieve 30-minute peak hour headways on 70 percent of bus routes.
In areas of the City within the Central Concurrency District, the level of service is as follows:
1. Achieve 30-minute peak hour headways on 60 percent of bus routes.
In all areas of the City, the level of service is as follows:
1. Maintain the maximum service volumes on arterial roadways within each District, as displayed below:
• Two-lane arterials: 2,800
• Four-lane arterials: 6,265
• Six-lane arterials: 9,433
• Eight-lane arterials: 12,618
POLICY 1.6: The City shall maintain the following Level of Service Standards in addition to Broward County’s Transportation Concurrency Management System and Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Strategic Intermodal Systems Program:
1. Florida Turnpike, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
2. Sawgrass Expressway, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
3. County collector roadways, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
4. City collector roadways, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
5. City local roadways, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
POLICY 1.7: New development and re-development is required to pay its proportionate share of required improvements for off-site transportation system improvements by constructing facilities or by contributions to the City’s Local Impact Fee System. This is in addition to the Broward County Regional Transportation system improvements or Broward County transit concurrency assessments.
POLICY 1.8: The City shall annually update the Capital Improvement Element (CIE) improvement schedule to address transportation system deficiencies within the purview of the City or in collaboration with other government agencies.
POLICY 1.9: The City shall continue to enforce Land Development Code requirements that address the following standards for development:
1. Adequate transition and storage at access driveways.
2. Access to arterial streets from driveways and local roads is limited.
3. State and County approvals for driveway permits are required.
4. FDOT approvals for driveway permits are required on State Roads.
5. Onsite vehicle storage and parking for motorized and non-motorized vehicles is required.
6. Sidewalk, driveway standards and signage are in place to prevent conflicts between street and pedestrian traffic.
7. Criteria for landscaping, sight distances, clear recovery areas, median strips and rights-of-way.
POLICY 1.10: The City shall coordinate with Broward County and FDOT to eliminate or modify street designs which could lead to hazardous conditions on county and state roadways.
POLICY 1.11: The law enforcement provider of the City shall prepare accident summary reports for all streets in the City.
POLIC TM 1.12: Low cost improvements that promote transportation safety and efficiency, such as the addition of turn lanes and more effective signage, shall be considered before additional travel lanes are added to any local street. In addition, the impact to the lifestyles of adjacent neighborhoods should also be considered.
POLICY 1.13: The City shall maintain a concurrency monitoring system to ascertain whether necessary transportation facilities identified within the Capital Improvements Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan are being constructed in accordance with the schedules in the Plan and to measure the capacity of such transportation facilities in a given area at a given time.
POLICY 1.14: The City’s development review and approval process will ensure that necessary facilities and services will be available concurrent with the impacts of development.
POLICY 1.15: The City will make information available to its citizens regarding alternative transportation modes, including public transit information, bicycle and sidewalk networks, and ride sharing as an alternative to the single occupant vehicle.
POLICY 1.16: The City adopts by reference and will continuously implement the 2024 Multimodal Transportation Connectivity Masterplan and find ways to acquire funds to execute the projects outlined in the Plan.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will coordinate transportation improvements with the plans and programs of the Broward MPO, Broward County Transit Division, FDOT (including its Five-Year Transportation Plan), the plans of adjacent municipalities and any appropriate resource planning and management plan prepared pursuant to Florida Statutes.
POLICY 2.1: The City will work closely with developers and County and State transportation agencies in order to facilitate joint funding of multimodal transportation improvements.
POLICY 2.2: The City will coordinate and cooperate with the State and County to improve bicycle, pedestrian facilities and roadways within the City. The City will work with the State and County agencies to modify signal timing and other road system features to make roadways safer and more user friendly for the city’s population.
POLICY 2.3: The City will continue to participate in the Broward County Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC).
POLICY 2.4: The City shall coordinate with FDOT and/or Broward County to develop action plans for each over capacity roadway within the City.
POLICY 2.5: The City shall explore the implementation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation Management System (TMS) programs on its roadways, where feasible.
TDM strategies may include:
1. Ridesharing programs – Ridesharing is a form of transportation, other than public transit, in which more than one person shares the use of the vehicle, such as a car or van, to make a trip.
2. Flexible Work Hours – Allows employees to schedule their work hours so as to avoid driving during peak hours.
3. Telecommuting – Home-based employees.
4. Shuttle Services – Buses, vans or cars used to provide transportation from remote parking locations to the workplace.
5. Parking Management – Includes preferred parking, price parking, parking limitations and shared parking, including possible use of Parking Access and Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) to control and provide visibility into open parking around the City.
6. Corridor Studies - Coordinated efforts between the County, Broward MPO, FDOT and local governments which consider a wide variety of initiatives to encourage higher public transit use and transit-oriented design development.
7. Congestion Management Plan (CMP) – Priority strategies serving the County’s Urban Infill Area to mitigate congestion and improve operational LOS, and to provide real-time traffic information to the public.
8. Collision Detection and Avoidance - Priority strategies to automatically detect and alert first responders, as well as to alert and enable the public to avoid affected certain roadways/locations.
9. Promoting Sustainable Transportation - Encouraging the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at fueling stations.
10. On Demand Car Services - Application based resources for free door to door car services.
TMS strategies may include:
1. Roadway improvements – In lieu of traditional widening and construction, alternative solutions are proposed to eliminate traffic problems such as corridor studies recommendations.
2. Intersection Improvements – Turn lane additions or other improvements.
3. Access Management – Control and spacing/design of driveways, ramps, medians, median openings, and intersections on roadways.
4. Signalization – Computerization of signals timing on roadways to improve traffic flows.
POLICY 2.6: Through participation in the Broward MPO and coordination with the County and FDOT, the City shall work to improve operational aspects of transportation facilities by implementing TSM strategies.
POLICY 2.7: The City shall evaluate and rank proposed City roadway projects in order of priority in preparing improvement programs according to the following guidelines:
1. Whether the project is needed to protect public health and safety, to fulfill the state’s and/or county’s commitment to provide facilities and services, or to preserve or achieve full use of existing facilities.
2. Whether the project increases efficiency of use of existing facilities, prevents or reduces future improvement cost, provides service to developed area lacking full service, or promotes in-fill development or redevelopment.
3. Whether the project represents a logical extension of facilities and services within a designated service area.
4. Whether the project represents a development requirement for the approval of a project within an undeveloped area.
POLICY 2.8: The City shall review, for consistency and compatibility with this Element, the Transportation Plans and programs of the adjacent municipalities as they are amended in the future.
POLICY 2.9: The City will coordinate with Broward County and the Broward County School Board concerning special needs, designs and operations at existing and future school sites for bus and automobile traffic, pedestrian, bicycle and other safety features and enhancements.
POLICY 2.10: The City will coordinate with Broward County to ensure adequate rights-of-way are available to meet the City’s future transportation needs in accordance with any City and Broward County Trafficways Plan.
POLICY 2.11: In order to protect the rights-of-way necessary for the establishment of the regional mass transit and roadway network, the City will continue to support the implementation of the Broward County Trafficways Plan.
POLICY 2.12: In cooperation with the FDOT and appropriate municipalities, initiate and/or continue to implement strategies to facilitate local traffic to use alternatives to the Florida Interstate Highway System (FIHS) as a means of protecting its interregional and interstate functions by helping to implement the following strategies:
1. Maintain and, where feasible, improve the Level of Service on City roads and assist the County, if possible, on County roads that are parallel to FIHS roads.
2. Implement the Congestion Management Plan recommendations
3. Work with the County to synchronize signalization of roads parallel to FIHS roads.
4. Through membership in the Broward MPO, support implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
5. Coordinate with FDOT and the BCPC to identify and implement public transportation corridor demonstration projects, where feasible.
6. Improve pedestrian and bicycle access to transit in all roadway improvement projects.
7. Provide education on public transit.
8. Promote transit-oriented design on major transportation corridors and intersections.
9. Monitor LOS and work with the FDOT and County to identify additional strategies.
POLICY 2.13: To ensure adequate future roadway planning, the City’s Public Services Department will coordinate with FDOT and Broward MPO to update roadway classifications to reflect current and future demands.
City will actively promote the provision of its bicycle and walking transportation facilities.
POLICY 3.1: The City will continue the implementation of a safe and enjoyable bikeway/walkway system that will include land use and other strategies to promote the use of bicycles and walking.
POLICY 3.2: The City shall develop an Integrated Bikeway/Walkway System which shall be coordinated with any adjacent municipal or County plans.
POLICY 3.3: The Integrated Bikeway/Walkway System, once developed, will be periodically reviewed, and recommendations for additions, deletions and/or corrections shall be made to the City Commission for adoption.
POLICY 3.4: At the time of plat or site plan approval, developers shall be required to dedicate, construct and/or resurface adjacent bikeways/walkways and provide for public transit amenities, where feasible, in accordance with the Land Development Code.
POLICY 3.5: At the time of plat or site plan approval, the City Commission may require additional bikeways and/or walkways should the proposed subdivision contain a roadway pattern whereby the provision of additional bikeways/walkways would improve public safety or convenience.
POLICY 3.6: Bikeways/walkways shall be designed to link parks, recreational, educational, regional transportation facilities, and other public facilities with nearby residential areas and commercial areas.
POLICY 3.7: At time of site plan review, the City may require the provision of ample and secure bicycle parking at schools, libraries, recreational facilities, and significant commercial and multi-family developments.
POLICY 3.8: The City will continue to pursue initiatives that foster a safer bicycle and pedestrian environment in Tamarac, including wider sidewalks and protected bicycle lanes that follow guidelines pursuant to the ADA Transit Access & Sidewalk Gap Analysis Plan.
POLICY 3.9: The City shall require or provide enhanced pedestrian displays at signal installations and signal modifications where crosswalks are provided, including enhanced pedestrian safety facilities at major intersections including University Drive & Commercial Boulevard; Commercial Boulevard & Sawgrass Expressway; Florida Turnpike & Commercial Boulevard; and State Road 7 & Commercial Boulevard.
POLICY 3.10: The City shall provide or require bicycle and pedestrian ways connecting all new residential areas to recreational areas, schools, and shopping areas within neighborhoods; and pedestrian ways for access to major transit facilities.
POLICY 3.11: The City shall review all proposed development for its accommodation of bicycle and pedestrian traffic needs and said review shall be consistent with the pathway network of the Integrated Bikeway/ Walkway System.
POLICY 3.12: The City shall require the construction of missing links in the existing sidewalk system as appropriate (adjacent to or in close proximity to) new and or redevelopment in conjunction with the issuance of development permits for new and/or redevelopment.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City will actively promote the provision of multimodal transportation facilities in Tamarac.
POLICY 4.1: The City, with assistance from the County, will make special efforts to increase transit ridership by providing bus shelters, benches, detailed signage, and other amenities at high transit usage facilities.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall support Broward County and the FDOT continued funding of local mass transit service consistent with existing service standards.
POLICY 4.3: The City shall coordinate with the Broward MPO, Broward County Transit (BCT) and South Florida Regional Transit Authority (SFRTA) to ensure the required transit services are available to meet the level of service criteria.
POLICY 4.4: The City shall coordinate with BCT to determine the feasibility of locating a feeder parking lot and associated County transit service within or in proximity to its boundaries to complement the SFRTA.
POLICY 4.5: The City shall facilitate the implementation of a shared-use trail on McNab Road to encourage safe pedestrian and bicycle transportation within the City.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall advocate for state and regional authorities to continuously fund BCT and SFRTA to maintain local transit facilities.
POLICY 4.7: The City shall continue to coordinate with BCT to adjust local and regional transit service to better meet the needs of transit users for increased headways, improved route alignments and additional intermodal terminals such as park-n-ride facilities.
POLICY 4.8: The City shall continue to meet the bus shelter needs in the City including adequate provisions for disabled transit riders to access the shelters and buses.
POLICY 4.9: The City shall support County requests for transit-related improvements as part of the development permitting process.
POLICY 4.10: The City will support programmatic efforts that enhance the bus routes serving the City.
POLICY 4.11: The City will support the Broward County Transit Development Plan (TDP).
POLICY 4.12: The City shall encourage the incorporation of exclusive or shared rideshare and bus drop off/ pick up areas at major public facilities.
POLICY 4.13: The City shall support integration of emerging technology identified by the Broward MPO for the transit system and associated facilities.
POLICY 4.14: The City will cooperate with the implementing agencies to explore the feasibility of locating park and ride lots in proximity to, or within, the City which may service transit services, such as the SFRTA and Express Bus Services.
POLICY 4.15: The City will continue to provide service schedules and information concerning providing mass transit stops for major traffic generators and attractors.
POLICY 4.16: The City will continue to make information regarding ride sharing, mass transit, and commuter rail services available to its citizens.
POLICY 4.17: The City shall adopt the 2040 Multi-Modal Transportation Connectivity Master Plan and amend the Land Development Code to provide for its recommendations within future developments.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City shall plan for the mobility needs of the elderly, handicapped, and other transportation disadvantaged groups.
POLICY 5.1: The City shall encourage the identification of persons with special transportation needs for shopping, recreational, medical, and hurricane evacuation purposes.
POLICY 5.2: The City shall encourage the County to continue and expand, as appropriate, the ADA Para-Transit Program and facilities.
POLICY 5.3: The City shall urge the County to maintain and expand handicapped accessibility on regular routes to provide a reasonable alternative for the handicapped.
POLICY 5.4: The City shall strive to integrate technology into its public spaces, to improve connectivity and accessibility for users, and create a smart, equitable and technologically advanced urban environment.
POLICY 5.5: The City shall require ADA-friendly designs in developments to facilitate the filling of pedestrian and access gaps identified in the ADA Transit Access & Sidewalk Gap Analysis Plan.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City will coordinate transportation planning activities with land use decisions, ensuring that transportation planning and land use planning activities are properly coordinated in the City.
POLICY 6.1: The City shall consider the individual and cumulative impacts of land use plan amendments on the existing and planned transportation facilities within the City.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall minimize the impact on locally-maintained transportation facilities, land uses which generate or attract high traffic volumes will be located adjacent to, or have safe and adequate access to, principal arterials, expressways, or other regionally-significant transportation facilities.
POLICY 6.3: Transportation facilities will be planned by the City and located in a manner that minimizes the potential for adverse impacts on adjacent land uses.
POLICY 6.4: The City shall explore and identify areas in the city for the installation of micromobility amenities, like shared e-bikes and/or e-scooters, and that are coordinated with current or future mass transportation facilities, supporting first and last mile connectivity.
POLICY 6.5: The City shall provide for housing opportunities and a mix of land uses so they are within close proximity to public transit routes or multimodal transportation amenities, including designated bicycle lanes, enhanced transit facilities, or safe pedestrian walkways.
POLICY 6.6: Regional or community facilities and other public facilities shall be located in areas of concentrated activities in order to provide easy access by bicycle, walking, or public transit and to economize on parking facilities.
POLICY 6.7: Commercial, mixed-use and/or Industrial development shall be located by the City with adequate access to major transportation facilities.
POLICY 6.8: The City shall maintain its highest intensities of land use and residential densities along major transportation routes and encourage the clustering of multimodal transportation facilities along major routes and transit stops. The City will coordinate with and will participate in, as necessary, provide data to the County and/or FDOT and coordinate land use decisions, and implementation of multimodal transportation alternatives.
POLICY 6.9: Transportation facilities and services shall be developed by the City in a manner that encourages infill development and/or redevelopment and that promotes the efficient use of urban services.
POLICY 6.10: The City shall continue collaborating with Broward County to provide transit service to all present and future major trip generators and attractors.
POLICY 6.11: The City shall complete a parking study to determine its parking needs, identify locations for public parking garages, and determine the appropriate number of parking spaces for new multifamily development.
POLICY 6.12: The City shall prioritize transportation improvements that are outlined in the 2040 MultiModal Transportation Connectivity Master Plan.
OBJECTIVE 7: The existing transportation system will be well-maintained and continue to meet operational and safety standards.
POLICY 7.1: Traffic signalization, pedestrian crossway facilities, roadway signage and operational capacities (including curb cuts and turn lanes) shall be designed to optimize safety, traffic flows and levels of service. These improvements shall always be considered prior to adding travel lanes.
POLICY 7.2: The City shall prohibit on-street parking on all arterial and major collector roads unless onstreet parking is utilized as a traffic calming device to compliment land uses and encourage pedestrian activity.
POLICY 7.3: The City will promote timely resurfacing and repair of roads and sidewalks to minimize costly reconstruction and to enhance safety.
POLICY 7.4: At a minimum, the City will continue normal annual roadway maintenance budget funding at existing levels.
POLICY 7.5: As part of the CIP, the City’s Public Services Department will produce an inventory of municipal roadways which are in need of resurfacing.
POLICY 7.6: The inventory of roadways requiring resurfacing, along with the funding necessary to complete the desired projects, will be forwarded to the City Commission for determination of which projects may be included in a resurfacing program.
POLICY 7.7: The formal resurfacing program will continue to be implemented as directed by the City Commission.
POLICY 7.8: The City shall adopt the ADA Transit Access & Sidewalk Gap Analysis Plan and incorporate its recommendations in order to provide adequate, convenient, and safe pedestrian systems that can serve Americans with Disabilities.
OBJECTIVE 8: The City will enforce existing regulations to:
1. Reduce the number of access points onto adjacent roads.
2. Provide adequate on-site motorized and non-motorized circulation.
3. Provide adequate off-street parking relative to existing and planned commercial, industrial and multiple family development.
POLICY 8.1: The City will apply regulations relating to the location of driveways, access points and connections to roadways which are at least as strict as Broward County and State standards.
POLICY 8.2: The City shall enforce the off-street parking requirements contained in the Land Development Code for all land uses, particularly industrial, commercial and multi-family developments. The City will monitor the issuance of Business Licenses and approved site plans to ensure adequate off-street parking will meet the needs of the users and are not at overcapacity.
POLICY 8.3: The City shall enforce design criteria for on-site motorized and non-motorized circulation.
POLICY 8.4: The City shall enforce elements of the 2040 Multi-Modal Transportation Connectivity Master Plan that have been adopted into the Land Development Code in proposed developments during site plan review.
OBJECTIVE 9: The City will enforce a concurrency management system that monitors and manages new growth in conformance State and County requirements.
POLICY 9.1: The City’s development review and approval process will ensure that necessary facilities and services will be available concurrent with the impacts of development through any of the following situations. Development Action includes any land use change, site plan approval, building permit, zoning permit, subdivision plat approval, rezoning, special exception, variance, or any other official action of the City Commission or other appropriate City official.
1. The necessary transportation facilities are in place at the time a Development Action is approved by the City Commission or other appropriate City officials or the Development Action is approved subject to the condition that the necessary transportation facilities will be in place consistent with City Code provisions.
2. The necessary transportation facilities are under construction at the time a Development Action is approved by the City Commission, or other appropriate City officials.
3. The necessary transportation facilities are the subject of a binding contract executed for the construction of those necessary transportation facilities at the time a Development Action is approved by the City Commission, or other appropriate City officials.
4. The necessary transportation facilities have been included in the Municipal, County or State 5-year capital plan at the time a Development Action is approved by the City Commission as provided in proportionate fair share agreements.
5. At the time a Development Action is approved by the City Commission, or other appropriate City officials, the City is able to assure that the necessary transportation facilities will be in place within a reasonable period of time At a minimum, the necessary transportation facilities are to be included within a financially feasible Capital Improvements Element and supported by all necessary implementing land development regulations and a concurrency monitoring system.
6. The impact of the development can be constituted as de minimis.
POLICY 9.2: The City shall maintain a concurrency monitoring system to ascertain whether necessary transportation facilities identified within the Capital Improvements Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan are being constructed in accordance with the schedules in the Plan and to measure the capacity of such transportation facilities in a given time and location.
In Tamarac, housing affordability presents a multifaceted challenge influenced by various factors, including housing type, location, and market conditions. As population growth ensues throughout the City, it may be most practical to anticipate options for strategic housing expansion, as roughly half of all parcels are zoned for single-family. The City’s policies are geared towards tackling critical housing issues by advocating for affordable options for both residents and businesses. The City acknowledges the importance of housing accessibility regardless of age, income, or ability; thus, our plan emphasizes a variety of attainable housing types. Through initiatives such as streamlining permitting processes, incentivizing affordable housing development, updating zoning regulations, and fostering public-private partnerships, the City aspires to improve housing affordability and accessibility. By leveraging transit-oriented developments and sustainable housing solutions, this plan places sustainable and affordable housing at its core. Housing policies are tailored to cater to the diverse needs of the community all while promoting inclusive neighborhoods and integrative design.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: The City will provide adequate and affordable housing in a diverse range of types and lifestyle options to meet the needs of current and future residents.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will assist the private sector in providing a variety of housing unit types to meet the varying needs and lifestyles of its residents.
POLICY 1.1: The Community Development Department and the Building Department will continue to maintain a demographic database, a housing inventory, and information on available funding, grants, and other resources which can assist the development community in the creation or rehabilitation of housing.
POLICY 1.2: The Community Development, Building, Fire, and Public Services Departments will monitor and update the development permitting process, to expedite and facilitate the creation, rehabilitation, or redevelopment of housing in the city.
POLICY 1.3: The City, through its Community Development Department, shall continue to require the submittal and review of building elevations (in color) for all housing developments in the City as part of the Site Planning process. Additionally, through the Building Department the City shall encourage that proposed designs incorporate environmentally sustainable features, such as energy-efficient materials, renewable energy options, and landscaping that supports water conservation and biodiversity.
POLICY 1.4: The City will continue to allow the use of residential flexibility units in residential and nonresidential land use categories, as described in the Land Use Element, as incentives to provide for workforce housing, and housing for such special populations as the elderly or special needs persons.
POLICY 1.5: The Community Development Department will continue to periodically monitor local, state, and federal programs and actively pursue available resources for development of permanent housing in the City.
POLICY 1.6: The City shall research and adopt innovative strategies to enhance and preserve the existing housing stock, such as offering financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, creating flexible zoning regulations to encourage accessory dwelling units, or establishing a revolving loan fund for critical home repairs targeting low- and moderate-income households.
POLICY 1.7: The City shall continue to assist first-time homebuyers through the purchase assistance program and increasing outreach and education on the City’s and other housing assistance programs.
POLICY 1.8: The City will allow the use of Broward County Land Use Plan Policy 2.16.4 on major thoroughfares, as described in the Land Use Element, as incentives to provide for affordable housing to assist the City in bridging the affordable housing gap outlined in the 2023 Broward County 10-Year Affordable Housing Plan.
2: The City’s Code Compliance Division will continue to provide for the general welfare, safety, good order, and appearance of the City.
POLICY 2.1: The Building Department will continue to monitor the City demolition program and recommend changes as appropriate.
POLICY 2.2: The Code Compliance Division shall maintain an inventory and location map of housing that does not meet minimum code requirements, classifying such homes as substandard and requiring the compliance of such units.
POLICY 2.3: The Code Compliance Division shall maintain a property tracking system to monitor code violations, buildings at risk of abandonment, and crime complaints.
POLICY 2.4: The Code Compliance Division shall maintain a map of substandard housing units, code violations, and buildings at risk of abandonment to identify areas of the city with higher instances or concentration of these, in order to implement focused code enforcement.
POLICY 2.5: The Code Compliance Division shall promote and maintain the general appearance of the City by encouraging community aesthetic improvements, such as swale and sidewalk maintenance, enhanced landscaping, and community cleanups, which sustain the vitality of the neighborhoods.
POLICY 2.6: The Code Compliance Division shall coordinate with the applicable agencies to promote housing unit sustainability and conservation by advising on topics such as energy conservation measures in the home, water use conservation, and efficient recycling measures.
POLICY 2.7: The Code Compliance Division shall facilitate the creation of Neighborhood Partnership Programs, aimed at providing assistance and collaborating with residents and property owners to identify and prioritize sidewalk and driveway maintenance, landscaping, and other community aesthetic projects within the City’s residential areas to protect the character and enhance the aesthetic appearance of its neighborhoods.
3: The City will continue to provide a variety of housing types with a full range of densities to accommodate housing for very low, low, and moderate income families.
POLICY 3.1: The City shall continue to maintain a map of the vacant parcels within the City. Infrastructure information on these vacant parcels shall also be made available and provided to individuals seeking to develop infill or “skipped over” parcels. Permits or additional technical assistance may be offered to expedite and secure the development of these infill sites, ensuring efficient use of available land and resources.
POLICY 3.2: The City Commission shall consider proposals for the use of surplus public lands within the City, including public land-banking, to facilitate the development of affordable housing. Priority will be given to proposals brought forth by Broward County for public housing sites or other appropriate uses that enhance the affordable housing supply, while also incorporating civic or community facilities accessible to the public to support broader community needs.
POLICY 3.3: The Community Development Department is directed to consider proposals for reduced impact fees, density bonuses, and expedited permitting for persons proposing housing for very-low, low, and moderate income housing and continue to allow permitting incentives for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funded projects.
POLICY 3.4: Housing projects which are Federally and State funded and which seek to locate within the City will not be discriminated against in the permitting and approval process. The City will continue to apply for Federal and State grant, loan and subsidy programs which can be used for affordable housing and neighborhood improvements, including the State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME program.
POLICY 3.5: The City shall support the development community in the creation of affordable housing options for elderly residents by exploring the adoption of universal design principles for special housing, allowing higher unit densities, reducing minimum unit sizes, relaxing parking requirements, and streamlining permitting processes to reduce costs and accelerate progress of affordable housing development in Tamarac.
POLICY 3.6: The City shall prioritize public-private partnerships to support workforce housing, ensuring a percentage of units are designated as affordable for essential employees working for or in the City, including but not limited to police officers, teachers, and firefighters. This effort will complement ordinances for mixed-use and transit-oriented development, job/housing linkages, density bonuses, and inclusionary zoning, while also incentivizing adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings.
POLICY 3.7: The City shall encourage a variety of housing types during redevelopment, including mixedincome housing developments, workforce housing, and specialized housing options such as those designed for elderly residents.
POLICY 3.8: The City shall support Broward County programs and policies that facilitate the construction and supply of affordable housing through mechanisms such as impact fees, in-lieu fees, and public funding. The City will collaborate with the County, appropriate agencies and major employers to ensure these initiatives effectively address the community’s affordable housing needs.
POLICY 3.9: The City shall develop urban design guidelines for new housing to promote well-planned, compact, transit-supportive, and mixed-use communities. These guidelines will prioritize a variety of housing options, integrate considerations for non-motorized mobility, transit access, and align with existing and planned infrastructure, including recreation and open spaces.
POLICY 3.10: The City shall encourage future residential development to have increased density along transportation corridors that include access to activity centers, and community facilities.
POLICY 3.11: The City shall continue to evaluate evolving accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to promote affordable housing in appropriate single-family zones. Standards for design, size, and occupancy will be maintained to uphold quality development and neighborhood standards.
POLICY 3.12: The City will adopt the BrowardNext Affordable Housing Policy 2.16.4 as amended to encourage affordable housing units on commercial land uses by offering affordable housing density bonuses as a minimum, through the use of restrictive covenants, and that the affordability of the bonus units for the affordable income groups. These covenants will be maintained for a period of at least thirty (30) years for rental housing and at least (30) years for owner occupied housing.
POLICY 3.13: The City shall continue to fund its Purchase Assistance Program to help low-and-moderateincome residents acquire property through grants such as, SHIP, and the Affordable Housing Trust funds and other means as amended.
POLICY 3.14: The City shall implement land development regulations to promote affordable housing by allowing reduced lot sizes and floor areas for dwelling units, zero lot line and cluster housing, vertical integration of residential and non-residential uses, and the inclusion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
OBJECTIVE 4: The City will continue to allow throughout the planning period and through its Future Land Use Map and Zoning Map adequate sites for special needs housing and group homes and foster care facilities which are licensed by the State.
POLICY 4.1: The Community Development Department shall periodically review the Tamarac Land Development Code to identify and recommend revisions needed to accommodate group homes and foster care facilities licensed by the State of Florida.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall ensure compliance with state and federal requirements in providing adequate housing options for vulnerable and special needs populations, including individuals with disabilities, the homeless, group home residents, very-low income earners, seasonal workers, the elderly, and individuals transitioning from institutional settings for mental or health care.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City shall continue to support the maintenance, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of substandard housing through the efforts of its Community Development and Building Departments, and ensure the quality of housing while minimizing adverse impacts on residents during these processes.
POLICY 5.1: The City shall actively pursue Federal, State, and County funding opportunities to support the rehabilitation of housing units in the City or other areas identified by Broward County, focusing on enhancing housing quality, preserving affordability, and promoting community revitalization.
POLICY 5.2: The City shall continue to implement rehabilitation programs to preserve the existing housing stock and assist property owners with necessary home repairs. These efforts will include seeking Federal and State assistance, leveraging grant opportunities, and partnering with local organizations to maximize resources and ensure long-term housing quality and affordability.
POLICY 5.3: The City shall actively pursue funding for disaster mitigation, response, and repair to address severe housing damage resulting from natural or catastrophic disasters. In compliance with state and federal requirements, the City shall ensure that adequate resources are available to assist very low, low, and moderate-income households in promptly repairing their homes post-disaster.
POLICY 5.4: The City shall enforce all applicable State and Federal regulations concerning the provision of relocation housing during redevelopment projects utilizing State and/or Federal funding. To mitigate adverse effects of displacement, the City will ensure the timely replacement of housing for relocated persons in compliance with these programs.
POLICY 5.5: The City shall assess the historical significance of properties in Tamarac using the National Register’s Criteria for Evaluation. Upon identifying any structures as historically significant, the City shall implement procedures to ensure their conservation, in compliance with state and federal preservation laws.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City’s Community Development Department shall develop, implement, and coordinate a comprehensive housing monitoring program to assess, enforce, and adapt the goals, objectives, and policies outlined in this Housing Element.
POLICY 6.1: The City shall regularly review and evaluate the housing programs described in this Element to identify areas for improvement and ensure the City’s housing needs are being effectively addressed.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall include the public in the housing monitoring process by conducting public workshops to assess the effectiveness of the City’s housing programs, identify areas in need of improvement, and provide information and updates online through the City’s webpage.
OBJECTIVE 7: The City shall ensure equity in affordable housing programs by supporting State and County initiatives, partnering with housing agencies, and collaborating with regional organizations to identify housing needs and implement strategies for housing attainment and affordability.
POLICY 7.1: The City will continue to participate in and/or monitor the Broward County Home Consortium, as appropriate.
POLICY 7.2: The City shall actively coordinate with local housing agencies, the South Florida Regional Planning Council, and other State and regional organizations to identify housing needs and strategies for affordable housing.
POLICY 7.3: The City shall support housing initiatives developed by the South Florida Regional Planning Council and Broward County to promote the development of affordable housing.
The City is committed to ensuring equitable, efficient, and reliable sewer and stormwater services in coordination with relevant agencies, aiming to support present and future residents. Emphasizing water conservation measures for stormwater infiltration and groundwater protection, the city acknowledges the importance of proper hazardous and solid waste management practices. Through education, outreach, and volunteer programming, The City intends to reduce waste generation and promote resource conservation while enhancing community stewardship of the environment. With a focus on sustainability, resilience, and maximizing water conservation, the city’s infrastructure policies encompass sanitary sewer, potable water, solid waste, and stormwater management.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: Being confronted with an ever-changing environment, the City will provide and maintain all essential public facilities serving the city, while meeting all public health and safety standards. This includes but is not limited to the drainage of surface water for groundwater recharge, transmissions and treatment of potable water, and the collection and disposal of solid waste including hazardous wastes.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will correct existing facility deficiencies, maintain adequate levels of service, and provide for future growth.
POLICY 1.1: Through its concurrency management system, as adopted in its Land Development Code, the City will monitor the growth of population, building permits and certificates of occupancy, and available capacities. The concurrency management system identifies the specific procedures for measuring facility capacity and for evaluating service availability against demand.
POLICY 1.2: The City shall use the following LOS standards:
1. SANITARY SEWER
• Western Service Area (Broward County Wastewater Treatment Facilities) 124 gallons per capita per day.
• Eastern Service Area (Fort Lauderdale Wastewater Treatment Facilities) 131 gallons per capita per day.
2. SOLID WASTE
• Broward County Disposal Facilities (BIC Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility) 12.0 pounds per capita per day.
• Tamarac Collection (Contractual Service Providers), all solid waste collection, is provided by City contracted service providers.
3. DRAINAGE
• FEMA criteria for minimum floor elevation and protection of floodplains.
• Standards as established by the Broward County Natural Resources Division, South Florida Water Management District, Broward County Environmental Permitting Division, and the City for off-site discharge, on-site retention, and best management practices for pollutant discharge.
• Ten (10) year – one (1) day storm peak stage elevation is equal or lower than the lowest catch basin rim elevations within the roadway or parking area.
• Twenty-five (25) year – three (3) day storm peak stage elevation is equal or lower than the perimeter elevation.
4. POTABLE WATER
• Western Service Area (per SFWMD permit) 110 gallons per capita per day.
• Eastern Service Area (Fort Lauderdale Water Treatment Plants) 107 gallons per capita per day.
• BCU Service Area (Broward County Water Treatment Plants) 115 gallons per capita per day.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall ensure that all city-funded projects included in the schedule of capital improvements are also included in the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Program and annual capital budget if appropriate.
POLICY 1.4: All improvements for repair or replacement of facilities to correct existing deficiencies shall be consistent with the adopted level of service (LOS) standards for those facilities.
POLICY 1.5: All improvements for expansion or increase in capacity of facilities to meet demand shall be consistent with the adopted level of service (LOS) standards for those facilities.
POLICY 1.6: The City will continue to require that developers provide basic water distribution and wastewater collection systems and drainage to serve their development prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and provide a fair share of the capital costs of major system improvements necessary to serve development.
POLICY 1.7: Prior to approving a building permit or its functional equivalent, the City shall consult with the applicable water supplier to determine whether adequate water supplies to serve the new development will be available no later than the anticipated date of issuance of a certificate of occupancy or its functional equivalent.
POLICY 1.8: The City will continue to collect the stormwater utility fee, enforce the Engineering Design and Processing Manual and other code requirements pertaining to drainage. Development orders may be issued only if facilities and services are available to meet the adopted level of service standards concurrent with the impacts of development, as required by SS. 163.3202(2)(g), F.S.
POLICY 1.9: The City will explore amending it’s interlocal agreement with Broward County to increase the current 8.5 MGD of wastewater treatment at the North District Wastewater Plant to 11.0 MGD to accommodate for the growth in sewer demand through the planning period.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will ensure that capacity is available at all shared facilities by coordinating with other local governments and appropriate government agencies.
POLICY 2.1: All interlocal agreements will always be kept current and upheld according to the terms specified in the agreement.
POLICY 2.2: The City will cooperate and coordinate with Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, and other adjoining municipalities, the South Florida Water Management District, and any other units or agencies of government with planning, management, maintenance, or monitoring responsibilities for sanitary sewers, solid waste including hazardous waste, potable water, or drainage and in the extension of or increase in capacity of facilities to meet future needs.
POLICY 2.3: The City hereby adopts by reference the SFWMD Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, which was updated and adopted on July 21, 2022 and the capital improvement projects contained therein, as required by Section 163.3177(6)(c), F.S.
POLICY 2.4: The City hereby adopts by reference the Fort Lauderdale Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, 2020, and the capital improvement projects contained therein.
POLICY 2.5: The City hereby adopts by reference the Broward County 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, 2020 and the capital improvement projects contained therein.
POLICY 2.6: The City hereby adopts by reference the South Florida Water Management District’s 2023 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update.
POLICY 2.7: The City, through its Interlocal Agreements, shall encourage Broward County and Fort Lauderdale to utilize advanced waste treatment (AWT) techniques for all wastewater facilities servicing Tamarac.
The City will proactively identify opportunities to improve existing facilities, and will take appropriate actions to extend the useful life of existing public facilities to reduce capital expenditures, conserve public financial resources, and maintain the level of service of existing facilities.
POLICY 3.1: The City will regularly monitor the operation and effectiveness of all elements of the system for which it is responsible, and repair, upgrade, and maintain existing public facilities as necessary.
POLICY 3.2: The City will continue to fund capital improvements needed to maintain the level of service for all facilities.
POLICY 3.3: The City will continue to inspect sanitary sewer mains and repair or replace faulty mains to prevent increased infiltration and inflow of stormwater and debris into the gravity collection system reducing the cost to the City and users and extend the present level of service for sanitary sewers.
POLICY 3.4: The City will continue to monitor its water production and distribution systems to ensure a minimum of water loss and to maintain acceptable ratios (raw water pumped: water treated and distributed).
OBJECTIVE 4: The City will continue to ensure, through development review at the time of site plan approval, that adequate facility capacity is available, or will be available when needed, to serve development.
POLICY 4.1: The City will maintain a five–year schedule of capital improvement needs for all infrastructurerelated facilities as consistent with the Capital Improvements Element of this Plan.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall issue no development permit or order which results in a reduction of the level of service for the affected public facilities below the level of service provided for and adopted in this Comprehensive Plan.
POLICY 4.3: The City will continually monitor federal, State, and local grant programs for infrastructure planning, design, and construction funding which it could utilize to build necessary public facilities.
POLICY 4.4: The City will update its 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan within 18 months after any update to South Florida Water Management District’s Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan as required by State law.
POLICY 4.5: Implementation of the City’s 2021 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan through coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, Broward County, and Fort Lauderdale shall ensure that adequate water supplies and public facilities are available to serve the water supply demands of any population growth that the City may experience. The City coordinates with Broward County and Fort Lauderdale in development permitting and capacity allocations through the resources provided by Broward County and Fort Lauderdale.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall coordinate the planning of potable water and sanitary sewer facilities, water supply sources, demands, other services, and level-of-service standards through the sharing of data with Broward County and Fort Lauderdale, South Florida Water Management District, and the 2023 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update, as necessary.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City shall take appropriate steps to ensure the conservation and protection of both the quality and quantity of the City’s potable water resources for present and future residents of the City through water use conservation, the protection of wells currently in use by the City for residential, commercial, industrial, and emergency purposes, and their cones of influence; and protection and expansion of the natural groundwater recharge area within urban development.
POLICY 5.1: The City will continue to require, in wellfield protection areas as part of development review or other permitting including Occupational Licensing, disclosure by all businesses and industries of materials, processes, and waste byproducts that may be introduced into the environment and which may be potentially harmful to life and health or interfere with the effective treatment and disposal of waterborne wastes. Substances that cannot be effectively managed or treated within acceptable public health and environmental standards, or safely and legally disposed of by the business or industry as certified by the disposal agency, will be prohibited.
POLICY 5.2: The City will continue to participate in the enforcement of the Broward County Wellfield Protection Ordinance and will prohibit through zoning, site design, and other review and permitting procedures, uses, and activities that potentially threaten water quality.
POLICY 5.3: The City will continue to monitor its water production and distributive systems to ensure minimum water loss and the maintenance of acceptable ratios of raw water pumped to water treated and distributed (Utility Leak Detection Program).
POLICY 5.4: The City will continue to monitor and enforce ordinances requiring water-conserving fixtures in new construction and major renovation projects, and will maintain other policies directed toward water conservation such as pressure reduction in the potable water distribution system.
POLICY 5.5: The City will maintain its landscape ordinance and landscape irrigation systems ordinance which requires that a minimum of 50% water-conserving native plant material be used in all landscape plans.
POLICY 5.6: In the interest of protecting surface waters from pollutants carried by storm runoff and increasing infiltration and recharge of the groundwater aquifer, the City will require in its development regulations a minimum percentage of pervious surface area, and promote the development of stormwater retention systems which contribute to recharge of the groundwater aquifer.
POLICY 5.7: The City will support the SFWMD, the 2023 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update, its conservation initiatives, and other relevant jurisdictions’ water reuse projects and the implementation of new regulations or programs designed to increase the volume of reclaimed water used.
POLICY 5.8: The City shall continue to coordinate future water planning and conservation efforts with the City of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and the South Florida Water Management District.
POLICY 5.9: The City shall continue to support and improve programs that cost-effectively promote water conservation, including public information programs.
POLICY 5.10: The City will participate, when warranted, in the SFWMD’s Water Savings Incentive Program (WaterSIP) for large-scale retrofits as recommended by the 2023 Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Update.
POLICY 5.11: Continue to utilize the Filter Backwash Water Recovery Basin to recover potable water during the water treatment process.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City will continue to maintain the public waterways, lakes, and canals within its jurisdiction now and in the future and cooperate with the SFWMD in maintaining the function of the public canal system and the water quality of the primary drainage system under its jurisdiction.
POLICY 6.1: The City will prevent actions that would reduce the quality of water in its waterways below Class III.
POLICY 6.2: The City will maintain and update as necessary its stormwater utility fee ordinance which provides for the extension, restoration, and maintenance of the City’s waterway drainage system.
POLICY 6.3: The City will continue to enforce, as a part of this Land Development Code, requirements regulating land clearance and site grading activity to control non–point source pollution and filtration of the City’s stormwater retention areas and waterways.
The City is steadfast in its commitment to conserving and safeguarding natural resources, as outlined in its Conservation Element. Guided by core principles that emphasize water and air quality, as well as the preservation of diverse ecosystems within its borders, the City prioritizes the protection and monitoring of essential resources vital to the well-being of residents, visitors, and wildlife. The City is forward-looking in addressing challenges related to resiliency, sustainability, environmental technology advancements, and alternative energy sources. Having earned the prestigious GOLD SolSmart rating, the City demonstrates its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. By leveraging technology and alternative energy sources, the City ensures the efficient and eco-friendly delivery of City services. These initiatives collectively enhance the City’s ability to safeguard against natural disasters, improve environmental quality, and ensure a high quality of life for current and future generations. By embracing innovative solutions and sustainable practices, the City positions itself as a leader in environmental stewardship and resilience planning.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: Conserve, protect, and appropriately manage the City’s natural resources.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will monitor and maintain its codes and ordinances, especially those dealing with platting, site planning, and subdivision design for the impact of their enforcement on the physical environment and to ensure that maximum practical protection is afforded thereby to the principal elements of the environment. The City will continue to include consideration of wildlife, soils and other natural features of the land as part of the site plan and development review process.
POLICY 1.1: During the planning period, the Community Development and the Public Services Departments will review the Land Development Code to identify any ways in which the codes require actions which are not sensitive to the environment and ways in which actions to protect the environment can be improved. This analysis will result in appropriate amendments to the Codes during the planning period.
POLICY 1.2: The Building and Public Services Departments will review codes and procedures to identify ways to increase water conservation and ways in which the codes and procedures might be inhibiting water conservation. The analysis will result, during the planning period, in appropriate amendments to the codes and procedures.
POLICY 1.3: The City will review its development regulations, especially those concerning site planning, to ensure that suitable separation and buffers between living areas and nonresidential structures and arterial streets are required. Revisions to codes will consider such other noise reducing measures in site design such as earth berms, walls, and fences.
POLICY 1.4: The City will continue to enforce its ordinance regulating land clearance and site grading activity to control non–point source pollution and filtration of the City’s waterways.
POLICY 1.5: The City will continue to enforce existing Land Development Code provisions for extended use of semi–pervious paving materials within parking areas and emergency internal circulation ways in order to reduce the quantity of contaminants reaching the surface drainage system.
POLICY 1.6: The City will require approval of a site development plan prior to commencement of site clearance and grading activities.
POLICY 1.7: The City shall continue to require water conserving fixtures for new construction, enforce adopted Xeriscaping standards, and other water conservation methods as recommended by Broward County, the SFWMD, the Department of Environmental Protection, and other relevant jurisdictions.
POLICY 1.8: The City will provide in its development regulations for increasing the amount of pervious surface included in site plans. Methods to be considered include the use of partially pervious paving materials such as turf blocks in employee parking areas and fire lanes; and the development of stormwater retention systems which recharge the groundwater aquifer rather than channel stormwater to surface waters.
POLICY 1.9: The City’s Land Development Code will continue to include a procedure for the preservation or mitigation of environmentally sensitive lands should any be identified during the platting or site plan processes. Developers will be required to identify any environmentally sensitive sites, as defined in the Broward County Land Use Plan and by the Broward County EPD as Local Areas of Particular Concern (LAPC) and/or Environmentally Sensitive Land (ESL).
POLICY 1.10: To support sustainable practices, the City will implement electric chargers in public facilities, contributing to environmental conservation.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will maintain and update (as necessary) its administrative procedures, especially those dealing with water supply and use, to ensure that optimum conservation of the ground water resource is achieved in concert with Broward County, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and other local government agencies.
POLICY 2.1: The City shall utilize measures such as those outlined in the SFWMD’s Model Water Shortage Ordinance, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Florida Water Conservation Initiative to address water usage so that a reduction in the per capita use of water is realized.
POLICY 2.2: The City shall enforce lawn irrigation restrictions established by SFWMD and Broward County as updated.
POLICY 2.3: The City shall consider the adoption of an ordinance, such as the “Landscaping for Protection of Water Quality and Quantity” Ordinance that will encourage water conservation initiatives as recommended by Broward County such as, Naturescape Irrigation, Naturescape Broward and Know the Flow, the SFWMD, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the City’s Public Services Department to reduce the average daily water consumption in the City.
POLICY 2.4: In order to reduce the amount of water drawn from the aquifer for irrigation of ornamental landscaping, the City should strengthen the current landscape ordinance (Chapter 10, Section 10-4.4) to provide for a minimum of 50 percent native plant material in landscape plans.
POLICY 2.5: The City will continue to monitor and enforce ordinances requiring water conserving fixtures in new construction and major renovation projects.
POLICY 2.6: The City will continue to participate in the adopted SFWMD Emergency Water Conservation Plan and Program and in the Water Shortage Plan during periods of drought as declared by the District.
POLICY 2.7: The City shall continue to actively support the SFWMD in the implementation of programs that are designed to conserve water.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City will continue to maintain its public waterways, lakes, and canals now and in the future and will cooperate with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in the maintenance of water quality of the primary drainage system. The City shall conserve and protect the quantity and quality of the City’s water resources by requiring the protection of wells currently in use by the City for residential, commercial, industrial, and emergency purposes, along with their cones of influence and future wells and wellfields.
POLICY 3.1: The City will continue to prohibit through land use, zoning, and site design and other review and permitting procedures, uses and activities which potentially threaten water quality.
POLICY 3.2: The City Public Services Department will continue to monitor and maintain, during the planning period, the Code, its administrative procedures, and its implementation programs for stormwater retention, extension, and maintenance of the waterway system under its jurisdiction to ensure adequate stormwater management and to prevent, through appropriate ordinances, actions which would reduce the quality of water in its waterways to below Class III. All development in the city must be consistent with the applicable SFWMD rules and regulations for maintenance and enhancement of surface water quality.
POLICY 3.3: The City will maintain the stormwater utility fee ordinance which provides for the extension, restoration, and maintenance of the City’s waterway drainage system.
POLICY 3.4: The City will continue to enforce the Broward County Wellfield Protection Ordinance and will prohibit through zoning, site planning, and occupational licensing, uses and activities which threaten water quality.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City will continue to enforce its noise ordinance during the planning period through the Community Development Department. The City will act to improve its air quality during the planning period by continuing to participate with the Broward County Department of Natural Resource Protection (DNRP) Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in regional air quality monitoring.
POLICY 4.1: The City will continue to have plats reviewed by the Broward County Department of Natural Resource Protection (DNRP) Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to determine whether all air quality standards, including ozone, are being met by plats and proposed DRIs.
POLICY 4.2: The City will also evaluate the impact of noise caused by nonresidential traffic on residential neighborhoods and will consider site plan or traffic control measures which will reduce the number of residential streets on which trucks are permitted to travel.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City will continue to protect native vegetation through compliance with, and enforcement of, Broward County regulations concerning Local Areas of Particular Concern (LAPC), Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL), Upland Tree Resources (UTR) and Natural Resource Areas (NRA) designated by the Broward County Commission.
POLICY 5.1: The City will implement its adopted landscape ordinance to provide that a minimum of 20 percent of plant material used in required landscaping shall provide habitats for native wildlife and birds.
POLICY 5.2: The City will protect native vegetative communities from destruction by development activities by implementing the requirements of the County’s Local Areas of Particular Concern (LAPC) environmental legislation. The Community Development Department will during the planning period review its site plan and landscape plan requirements to identify additional means of protecting native vegetative communities, such as: no more than 30 percent of the native vegetation on a site may be destroyed during the development process; applicant shall relocate native vegetation to other locations on the site plan during the development process and will ensure that it is protected and maintained.
POLICY 5.3: The City will protect and conserve wetlands and the natural functions of wetlands, and direct future land uses which are incompatible with the conservation and protection of wetlands away from identified wetland areas.
POLICY 5.4: The City shall continue to protect native vegetation through code enforcement of Broward County’s Tree Preservation Ordinance.
POLICY 5.5: The City should incorporate provisions into the Land Development Code to preserve existing wetlands. The preservation of existing wetlands shall serve as a proactive approach to lessen the need for wetlands mitigation steps.
POLICY 5.6: The City shall maximize the use of native plants in City landscaping projects to provide and improve urban habitat and connectivity for native species.
POLICY 5.7: The City shall increase the tree canopy through streetscape and free-tree programs throughout City parks and facilities.
POLICY 5.8: Property owners should be educated about the environmental benefits of landscaping with drought-tolerant, native plants – known as Xeriscaping. The City shall support the efforts of property owners to do so.
POLICY 5.9: The City includes in its development review requirements a provision for the restriction of development activities which adversely affect the survival of endangered and threatened wildlife. These requirements rely on Broward County EPD programs to help restrict development in certain wildlife habitats and mitigate usage of environmentally- sensitive lands.
POLICY 5.10: The City will continue to cooperate with adjacent cities and the county in order to conserve unique vegetative communities. The mechanism is the mutual review of zoning and land use plan amendments proposed for areas adjacent to municipal boundaries.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City shall maintain or increase the function and quality of wildlife habitats.
POLICY 6.1: The City will increase by 10 percent its enforcement of its anti–burning ordinance, especially in conjunction with construction activities and the disposal by incineration of hazardous waste through its Code Enforcement Department during the planning period.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall continue to encourage residents to participate in the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program that is in coordination with the cities of Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lauderdale Lakes, and Pompano Beach.
POLICY 6.3: The City will provide for the conservation and protection of the natural functions of existing soils, wildlife habitats, rivers, lakes, floodplains, wetlands, freshwater shores, and marine habitats.
Parks, recreation, and open space policies in the City play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s landscape, fostering community engagement, and enhancing overall well-being. With a diverse array of outdoor recreational areas like Veterans’ Memorial Park, Sunset Point Park, and others, the City provides residents and visitors ample opportunities for leisure and social interaction. Managing over 184 acres of public park land, the City’s parks system serves as a cornerstone of its identity and character. Looking ahead, the city aims to further enhance its parks and recreation offerings through strategic policies that prioritize equitable access, sustainable development, and community engagement. These policies advocate for collaborations with relevant agencies to secure funding for land acquisition and park development, while also emphasizing continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure high-quality standards are maintained. By addressing disparities in park distribution, investing in maintenance and enhancement efforts, and promoting experiential learning programming, the City is committed to creating vibrant and inclusive outdoor spaces for all residents to enjoy.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: The City will provide and maintain an adequate and diversified inventory of parks, recreation, and open space facilities that will meet the recreation and leisure time needs and interests of all current and future residents and visitors to the City.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will continue to maintain a diverse system of parks, recreation, and open space facilities that adequately and efficiently provide recreation opportunities at the adopted level of service standard, and incorporate modern and SMART technologies.
POLICY 1.1: The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space level of service (LOS) standards for the City shall be the following:
• Public Parks, Recreation, and Open Space shall be provided at a LOS of 3.0 acres per 1,000 population, comprised of a mix of parkland, open space and facility types.
• Private Parks, Recreation, and Open Space shall be provided at a LOS of 3.5 acres per 1,000 population, exclusive of stormwater management areas; up to fifteen percent of this requirement may be met by golf course land.
POLICY 1.2: The Parks and Recreation Department will continue to maintain an updated inventory of all public and private recreational lands and facilities and their reservation of LOS standards.
POLICY 1.3: The City will attempt to include land with significant vegetative cover and/or wetlands in acquiring open space.
POLICY 1.4: The City will preserve existing parks, recreation, and open space lands and facilities to the greatest extent feasible, including but not limited to golf courses, passive areas, natural resource areas, and active recreation areas.
POLICY 1.5: The City will maintain a staff of qualified maintenance personnel on a continuous basis, to the greatest extent feasible.
POLICY 1.6: The City will endeavor to incorporate SMART Park elements into City Parks wherever feasible, including but not limited to Public WiFi, security elements, interactive digital elements, and other innovations as they become available.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will maintain a high standard of aesthetic quality and ensure adequate safety measures for its parks and their facilities to continue improving the appearance and safety of municipal recreation areas, facilities, and public open space. As well, the Parks and Recreation Department will maintain a high level of management efficiency, cost effectiveness and community participation to successfully maintain the City’s parks, open space, and recreation facilities, including events and programs.
POLICY 2.1: The City will continue with existing, and consider new opportunities for, contracts, agreements, and leases with applicable agencies and organizations, including the Broward County School Board and the South Florida Water Management District, for joint use of public parks, recreation, and open space facilities.
POLICY 2.2: The City will plan, finance and construct improvements and/or expansions to existing facilities, as deemed necessary by the City.
POLICY 2.3: The City will continue to maintain the appearance of parks, recreation, and open space facilities, including entrance gates, fountains and plazas.
POLICY 2.4: The City will apply for appropriate Federal and State grants to aid in park and open space land acquisition and development.
POLICY 2.5: The City will maintain a Five-Year Program and annual capital budget for the development, acquisition, and maintenance of facilities and programs.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City will make all parks, open space, and recreational facilities, including waterways and events, accessible to all citizens in accordance with Federal and State standards.
POLICY 3.1: The City’s Parks and Recreation staff will work to develop new programs and facilities to meet the findings of the survey needs referenced in Policy 4.1.
POLICY 3.2: The City recognizes the need for diverse recreational facilities and will develop prototypical park and recreational facility designs for future planning to accommodate this need.
POLICY 3.3: The Parks and Recreation Department will promote ongoing programs and special events to gain maximum use of the City’s facilities.
POLICY 3.4: The City will continue to maintain and retrofit existing recreation sites and facilities so that they are accessible to the disabled and elderly, consistent with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). All new recreation projects must meet ADA standards. Accessibility may include ramps, sidewalks, parking, access easements, and water access.
POLICY 3.5: The City’s site plan review and platting processes will continue to be utilized to identify ways of improving public access to public waterways and canal maintenance areas.
POLICY 3.6: The City will prioritize community access to parks and open spaces by advocating for safe and comfortable facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, that enable residents to access recreational areas within a quarter-mile to half-mile distance from their housing or workplace.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City will provide recreational programs that meets or exceeds the needs and desires of the City’s residents.
POLICY 4.1: The City shall utilize program evaluations to determine and document user satisfaction and preferences in recreational and special programming.
POLICY 4.2: In order to plan effectively for public parks, open space, and recreational facilities and programs, the Community Development Department will monitor the population and demographics of the City. Special surveys of the characteristics for resident use of, and demand for, recreation and open space sites and facilities will be conducted during the planning period by the Parks and Recreation Department.
POLICY 4.3: The City will continue to provide special events for the community on occasions where special programming is appropriate such as, Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day (former Policy 3.3 as amended).
POLICY 4.4: The City will support acquisition, renovation, or development of cultural facilities and auxiliary recreational facilities to improve the diversity of community programming to residents and visitors.
POLICY 4.5: The City shall research and initiate new recreation facilities and programs to expand recreational opportunities.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall utilize a variety of avenues, including social media and other technology-based communication systems, to communicate recreational program and event opportunities to the public.
The City Comprehensive Plan demonstrates a commitment to effective intergovernmental coordination, as this involves collaboration with neighboring municipalities and governmental agencies. Prioritizing coordination with entities, including but not limited to, the Broward County School Board, South Florida Water Management District, and the Department of Commerce, the City intends to facilitate agreement in areas such as utilities, water supply, housing, transportation, and environmental protection. In accordance with Florida State Statutes, this Element also addresses school planning, climate change, and sea-level rise. Achieving the City’s urban development vision will require collaboration in key areas such as road infrastructure, shopping center access, alignment with Broward County’s PRIMO Plan, permitting process streamlining, and resident resource and learning hub facilities. Such coordination will ensure that urban development aligns with county-wide goals and contributes to the success of integrated regional development.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
The City will coordinate with relevant agencies and government units to effectively execute its Comprehensive Plan. In doing so the city aims to ensure Land Development Code decisions align with the plans of neighboring municipalities and other applicable governmental entities. Additionally, the City will aid in implementing the plans of other government units when feasible.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will continue and improve coordination activities among government agencies with planning and impact assessment duties affecting the City; with other units of local government providing services but not having regulatory authority over the use of land, and with the comprehensive plans of adjacent municipalities, the County, and other appropriate State, regional, and local agencies.
POLICY 1.1: The City will continue to work at the staff level with the following agencies: the Broward County School Board (through interlocal agreement); the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD); the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC); Broward County and its agencies; the Department of Commerce; agencies of the State of Florida and adjacent municipalities.
POLICY 1.2: The City will transmit the Comprehensive Plan to all adjoining municipalities, to the Broward County Planning Council (BCPC) as the county certifying agency, to the Broward County School Board, to the SFRPC, to the SFWMD, and to the Department of Commerce, which is the state’s land planning agency, as provided in the State law for review and comment (as amended this language formerly included in Objective 1).
POLICY 1.3: The City will improve communication and coordination between the office of the Mayor, City departments, Florida Power and Light (FPL), Broward County Water and Wastewater Services, the City of Fort Lauderdale Water Services, and other utilities which site utilities facilities and lines in Tamarac. This coordination will be done in order to provide improved service, demonstrate service needs, coordinate level of service standards, implement joint conservation activities and programs, and to minimize negative land use and environmental impacts from utility facilities siting and location. These efforts will include the exchange of information including population and housing projections, service demands, and formal and informal review of proposed plans of service and site plans.
POLICY 1.4: The City, through the Public Services and Community Development Departments, will improve communication and coordination with the SFWMD. This coordination will be achieved by the exchange of information and technical assistance with regard to development of a local water supply facilities work plan, water conservation and drainage. Joint use by the City and the SFWMD of District property for recreational as well as drainage purposes will also be sought.
POLICY 1.5: The Community Development Department will submit information on proposed land use amendments, rezonings, annexations, and traffic improvements in a timely manner, both formally and informally, to the appropriate local government agencies of adjacent units of government including the School Board, Broward County, State agencies and cities.
POLICY 1.6: The City will annually review the plans of the Broward County School Board, the SFWMD, Broward MPO, and the FDOT to identify impacts to or conflicts with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City will provide written comments identifying these impacts or conflicts and coordinate as necessary with the appropriate officials of the respective agency to address the conflicts or impacts, and/or consider amendment of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to maintain consistency.
POLICY 1.7: The City’s Public Services Department will continue to participate in countywide planning for sanitary sewers, solid waste, potable water, water management, and drainage at coordinating committee meetings and special workshops.
POLICY 1.8: The City will improve communication and coordination with all agencies of county and local municipal government, regional, state, and federal agencies whose plans and programs affect or are affected by those of the City. These improvements will include exchanging information, sharing proposed plans, technical assistance, and participating in formulation of regional implementation programs including transportation, drainage, water supply and conservation, sanitary sewers and solid waste management.
POLICY 1.9: In the event of any conflict between the City and other units or agencies of government regarding the Future Land Use Plan, amendments to it, or other Comprehensive Plan issues or their implementation, the City will seek first a negotiated settlement between the parties. In the event the conflict cannot be resolved directly between the units of local government, the City will use the South Florida Regional Planning Council’s informal mediation process as provided by state law.
POLICY 1.10: The City will ensure that the development review process provides for full disclosure and assessment of any potential development proposal impacts on adjoining jurisdictions, and identified regional or state resources or facilities. In addition, all affected entities will be notified of application development proposals and hearings, and measures will be required to ensure mitigation of any adverse impacts and compatibility of proposed development with the development patterns of neighboring cities, and identified regional and state resources and facilities.
POLICY 1.11: The City will continue to both provide review and comment to and seek review and comment from other appropriate units of government on all development proposals, proposed plan amendments, proposed rezoning, annexation, and other matters which affect or may be affected by the plans of the City. Particular attention will be given to coordination in the development and adoption of levels of service (LOS) standards for public facilities with state, regional, and local agencies with monitoring, operational, or maintenance responsibilities for public facilities in Tamarac (as amended this language formerly included in Objective 1).
POLICY 1.12: The City will promote coordination with adjacent municipalities regarding large redevelopment projects, to monitor synchronous projects, and to evaluate how such projects may be made mutually beneficial.
POLICY 1.13: The City, Broward County, adjacent municipalities, and other appropriate agencies will coordinate to identify any joint planning areas for the purposes of annexation, municipal incorporation and joint infrastructure service areas.
POLICY 1.14: The City will coordinate road and transit improvements in Tamarac through City representation on the Broward MPO Board and the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC).
POLICY 1.15: The City will coordinate with the (SFWMD to ensure that the City’s plans, requirements and related actions are consistent with the 2018 Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply Plan Update.
POLICY 1.16: The City will continue to coordinate with the Broward County Environmental Protection Department (EDP) as necessary to comply with the requirements of the Broward County Joint Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.
POLICY 1.17: The City will coordinate with local housing agencies, the SFPRC, and appropriate State housing organizations to identify housing needs and strategies for housing attainment and affordability.
POLICY 1.18: The City will monitor the progress of the SFRPC and Broward County in creating a regional affordable housing policy and, when complete, evaluate how the regional strategy could be supported by the City.
POLICY 1.19: The City will coordinate with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the administration of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and/or other programs, which may benefit the City.
POLICY 1.20: The City will use the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program allocations to help maintain existing housing stock by providing financial assistance for minor home repairs, and provide opportunities for home ownership through home purchase loans as available through the City’s Local Housing Assistance Program (LHAP).
POLICY 1.21: The City will participate in coordination efforts with Broward County municipalities, Broward County, FDOT, and other appropriate federal, state, regional, and county transportation agencies to ensure, to the greatest extent feasible, roadways maintain their respective levels of service.
POLICY 1.22: The City shall support agencies which supply potable water to the City in the development of alternative water supply sources as recommended by the SFWMD in its 2018 Lower East Coast Water Supply Work Plan Update.
POLICY 1.23: The City will partner with for-profit and nonprofit sectors to assist property owners in revitalizing their properties, emphasizing community development and economic growth.
POLICY 1.24: The City shall explore the implementation of express service routes to regional rail stops, including Brightline.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will communicate and coordinate with the Broward County School Board to implement, update, and/or ensure the continuance of interlocal agreements and joint use agreements, and to ensure the adoption of the Public School Facilities Element.
POLICY 2.1: The City and School Board should, at a minimum, address the following in the agreements:
1. School concurrency.
2. Student enrollment and population projections.
3. Coordination of population projections.
4. Assessment and upgrading of school infrastructure.
5. Selection of appropriate school sites and site plan review.
6. Comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, development approvals.
7. Traffic impacts.
8. Periodic review of the educational facilities impact fee ordinance to ensure that capital costs associated with the development of public school capacity are identified appropriately.
9. Joint meetings between the City and the School Board to discuss and formulate policies and recommendations regarding school planning.
10. Coordination and sharing of information.
11. Representation from the School Board at the City’s public meetings that address residential projects and affect school capacity issues.
12. Dispute resolution process.
POLICY 2.2: The City will work at the staff level with the School Board to successfully implement and continue the joint use agreements of facilities at Tamarac Elementary School and Tamarac Park, as well as explore other opportunities for additional joint use agreements (formerly Policy 1.2 amended).
OBJECTIVE 3: The City will support climate change and sea level rise initiatives.
POLICY 3.1: The City will support Broward County and the SFWMD in any efforts to evaluate the consequences of sea level rise, changing rainfall and storm patterns, temperature effects, and cumulative impacts to existing structures and existing legal uses.
POLICY 3.2: The City will participate in the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact to support regional planning efforts and initiatives to adapt to rising sea level in the LEC Planning Area.
POLICY 3.3: The City will work collaboratively with the Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and other utilities and the SFWMD to identify the utility wellfields and other users at potential risk of saltwater intrusion within the LEC Planning Area.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City shall continue to coordinate with local, state, and federal emergency personnel and agencies to protect the safety and wellbeing of residents.
POLICY 4.1: The City shall coordinate with Federal disaster response agencies . Such as, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), before during, and after major events to help direct aid and resources to the areas in need.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall continue to coordinate with all applicable County and state agencies/departments before, during and after a major event. Such as the Broward County Emergency Management Division and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
POLICY 4.3: The City shall continue to coordinate with Broward County’s Sheriff’s Office (BSO) to assist with meeting the Florida statewide ratio for sworn law enforcement officers to population.
The Capital Improvements Element (CIE) within the City Comprehensive Plan serves as a foundational framework for addressing essential infrastructure needs vital to residential health, welfare, and safety. By prioritizing the maintenance, enhancement, and creation of public facilities, the CIE ensures the city’s capacity to accommodate developmental impacts while upholding service standards. This strategic approach integrates annual reviews and updates to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), facilitated by the Needs Assessment Committee, which utilizes prioritization criteria outlined in the CIE. Moreover, the CIE’s emphasis on financial monitoring and impact fee collection facilitates sustainable development, ensuring that new projects contribute to improvement costs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Through partnerships with local and federal agencies, the City further enhances its ability to address traffic mitigation, safety enhancements, hazard planning, and accessibility improvements, fostering a vibrant and resilient urban environment aligned with the city’s long-term vision and strategic objectives.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: The City shall provide the infrastructure necessary to support the health, welfare, and safety of its residents by correcting existing deficiencies, addressing maintenance issues as appropriate, and ensuring new development meets the standards necessary for resiliency and growth.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will allocate the necessary financial resources for capital improvements which responsibly considers the existing and future needs of a growing city.
POLICY 1.1: The City shall revise and adopt annually a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that addresses the existing and projected deficiencies as outlined in the Capital Improvement Element and those items listed in the five–year schedule of improvements.
POLICY 1.2: The City shall update its Capital Improvement Element (CIE) on an annual basis after the adoption of the Capital Improvement Program and submit the CIE to the State Planning Agency (Department of Commerce) annually as a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall identify those projects in the other plan elements which will maintain or expand facilities. These projects shall be included in the five–year Schedule of Improvements and incorporated into the annual Capital Budget.
POLICY 1.4: The City shall continue using the Needs Assessment Committee composed of the Directors of Public Services, Financial Services, and Community Development Departments, which shall prioritize projects for the CIE, those projects in the five–year Schedule of Improvements, and the annual proposed capital budget.
POLICY 1.5: The City shall adopt annually a Capital Budget which shall include at a minimum the first-year Improvements of the CIE.
POLICY 1.6: Proposed Capital Improvements shall be evaluated and ranked in priority according to the following guidelines:
1. The project contributes to or further the achievements of specific objectives contained in Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
2. The project eliminates possible hazards and protects the public health, safety, and welfare of the City’s residents, provides the necessary infrastructure as part of a legal requirement or prior commitment, and use, to the fullest extent, existing facilities.
3. The project eliminates or corrects existing deficiencies, increases capacity of existing facilities, or reduces the necessity for or cost of future improvements or provide for future needs.
4. The project provides services to developed areas lacking services, or be a logical extension or expansion of facilities or services within designated service areas.
5. Funds will or can be available for the project and operating and maintenance costs associated with the improvement can be provided from the annual operating budget.
POLICY 1.7: The City shall strive to have the Tamarac Fire Rescue Department meet adequate levels of service for residents by ensuring that the number of Fire Department personnel is increased and maintained in response to a growing population.
POLICY 1.8: The City shall expand and maintain the size and number of Fire Department stations as needed.
OBJECTIVE 2: Future development shall be responsible for bearing a proportionate fair share of the cost for improvements in order to maintain adopted Level of Service (LOS) standards.
POLICY 2.1: The City shall continue collecting impact fees from future development for traffic, recreation, open space, drainage retention, water, and sewers.
POLICY 2.2: The City shall continue mandatory dedications or fees in lieu of dedications as a condition of plat or site plan approval for recreation open sites and development of recreation facilities for residential developments.
POLICY 2.3: The City shall continue to require the dedication, deeding by separate instrument or grant of easement or necessary rights–of–way for public streets as shown on the Broward County Trafficways Plan and in the Transportation Element of the Tamarac Comprehensive Plan.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City shall exercise sound fiscal management to ensure that needed capital improvements are provided for existing and future development.
POLICY 3.1: Section 7.16 of the City Charter states, “The City shall have full power and authority to issue municipal bonds or to borrow funds for municipal purposes to the extent authorized by and subject to the limitations provided in the Constitution of the State of Florida, the Municipal Home Rule Law, other statutes and this Charter; provided further that bonds intended for the funding or refunding of an acquisition or construction of a capital project shall not be issued until such project and such issuance has been approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on the issue at a special or general election.”
POLICY 3.2: The City shall maintain a debt burden, defined as debt service payments, of less than fifteen percent (15 %) of combined operating and debt service expenditures.
POLICY 3.3: The City shall adopt as part of its annual budget, a schedule for the depreciation and periodic replacement of capital facilities from current revenues.
POLICY 3.4: The City Manager shall submit to the City Commission an updated five–year Capital Improvement Program annually. The capital program shall include a summary of its contents and a list of all capital improvements which are proposed for the next five (5) fiscal years with appropriate detailed information. Whenever so requested by the Commission or otherwise required, the manager shall make recommendations for revisions of the program.
POLICY 3.5: The City shall require to be installed or install, all needed public facilities for development prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Development orders shall be issued by the City in accordance with the adopted concurrency management system and with 163.3202(2)(g) F.S.
OBJECTIVE 4: Development orders and permits shall be issued only when it is demonstrated by the applicant that the land development proposal conforms with the development requirements of this Comprehensive Plan, with Land Development Code, and that sufficient public facilities or service capacity to support such development will exist at the time a building permit is issued for the project.
POLICY 4.1: The City shall use the following LOS standards in reviewing impacts of development upon public facilities:
• Western Service Area (Broward County Wastewater Treatment Facilities) 124 gallons per capita per day.
• Eastern Service Area (Fort Lauderdale Wastewater Treatment Facilities) 131 gallons per capita per day.
2.
• Broward County Disposal Facilities (BIC Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility) 12 pounds per capita per day.
• Tamarac Collection (Contractual Service Providers) All solid waste collection provided by City contracted service providers.
3.
• FEMA criteria for minimum floor elevation and protection of floodplains.
• Standards as established by the Broward County Department of Natural Resources Protection, South Florida Water Management District, Broward County Water Management Division, and the City for off-site discharge, on-site retention, and best management practices for pollutant discharge.
• Ten (10) year – one (1) day storm peak stage elevation is equal or lower than the lowest catch basin rim elevations within the roadway or parking area.
• Twenty-five (25) year – three (3) day storm peak stage elevation is equal or lower than the perimeter elevation.
4.
• Western Service Area (per SFWMD permit) 105 gallons per capita per day.
• Eastern Service Area (Fort Lauderdale Water Treatment Plants) 107 gallons per capita per day.
• BCU Service Area (Broward County Water Treatment Plants) 115 gallons per capita per day.
5. TRANSPORTATION
The City shall uphold the following Level of Service Standards consistent with Broward County’s Transportation Concurrency Management System. In areas of Tamarac within the North Central Concurrency District, the level of service is as follows:
• Achieve 30-minute peak hour headways on 70 percent of bus routes.
In areas of Tamarac within the Central Transit Concurrency District, the level of service is as follows:
• Achieve 30-minute peak hour headways on 60 percent of bus routes.
In all areas of Tamarac, the level of service is as follows:
• Maintain the maximum service volumes on arterial roadways within each District, as displayed below:
o Two-lane arterials: 2,800
o Four-lane arterials: 6,265
o Six-lane arterials: 9,433
o Eight-lane arterials: 12,618
The City shall maintain the following Level of Service Standards in addition to Broward County’s Transit Oriented Concurrency System:
• Florida Turnpike – LOS “D” two-way peak hour
• Sawgrass Expressway – LOS “D” two-way peak hour
• County collector roadways, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
• City collector roadways, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
• City local roadways, LOS “D” two-way peak hour
6. RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE
• Public parks, recreation, and open space shall be provided at a LOS of 3.0 acres/ per 1,000 population.
• Private parks, recreation, and open space shall be provided at a LOS of 3.5 acres per 1,000 population; exclusive of stormwater management areas; up to fifteen percent of this may be met by golf course land.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall ensure adequate facility capacity is available or will be available when needed prior to the issuance of a development order. Developments orders shall be issued by the City in accordance with the adopted concurrency management system and with 163.3202(2)(g), F.S. To do so, the City may approve a proposal, reject a proposal, or require that a development be phased in accordance with availability of specific facilities or services as provided in this element.
POLICY 4.3: Requests for development permit or Land Use Plan amendments shall be reviewed to examine what effect upon the public facilities the request shall have per the following criteria:
• Whether the proposal is consistent with, supports, or contributes to the achievement of the goals and objectives in this plan.
• Whether it affects any existing condition of a public facility as outlined in the Transportation Element, Recreation and Open Space Element, and Sanitary Sewer, Solid Waste, Drainage, Potable Water, and Natural Ground Water Recharge Sub- Elements.
• Can the plan amendment or proposed development be provided with the necessary public facilities that are planned in the five–year schedule of improvements.
• Whether the proposal conforms to the Future Land Use Map of the Future Land Use Element.
• Whether the plan amendment or development is in conformity with county, state agencies, water management district’s plans, and those of other regulatory agencies with management or regulatory authority.
• Development orders shall be issued by the City in accordance with the adopted concurrency management system and with 163.3202(2)(g), F.S.
POLICY 4.4: The Public Services and Community Development Departments will continue to monitor and improve the established criteria the City employs to evaluate capital improvement projects to accommodate new development and redevelopment needs. These criteria will be used by the City during its annual capital budgeting process.
POLICY 4.5: The Public Services Department will continue to maintain and improve the adopted LOS standards for potable water as guided by the SFWMD Water Supply Facilities Work Plan (dated July 21, 2022) and other relevant jurisdictions.
POLICY 4.6: The City will maintain its water supply system through improvements to water facilities as needed when identified in the Capital Improvements Program.
POLICY 4.7: The Financial Services Director will review all proposals for capital projects and make a recommendation to the City Manager concerning the City’s ability to finance such proposals. The recommendation shall include a review of the following:
1. Ability to use impact fees.
2. Ability to use an existing revenue stream.
3. Assessment of the likelihood of getting a bond approved by Tamarac voters.
4. Availability of grant funds.
POLICY 4.8: During the planning period, the City shall use the following criteria for the consideration of the plans of state agencies and the South Florida Water Management District during the City’s evaluation of capital improvement projects. These criteria include the following:
1. Project is needed by the city.
2. Project is funded by appropriate agency.
3. City has funds available to meet any required local match.
POLICY 4.9: Public facilities to serve developments for which development orders were issued prior to the adoption of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, provided those development orders meet all provisions of the Land Development Code, shall be available. The Concurrency Management System, as identified in the Tamarac Code of Ordinances, already provides for facilities monitoring and development permit monitoring which will ensure availability as required during the planning period.
POLICY 4.10: The City’s traffic impact fees shall only be used for city streets. Since Broward County collects regional traffic impact fees (for the County road system) the city shall not collect fees for those same roads. Any state roads in Tamarac are covered by the regional road system and not eligible for city impact fees.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City, in collaboration with the School Board, Broward County and nonexempt municipalities shall ensure that public school facilities are available for current and future students consistent with the adopted LOS.
POLICY 5.1: Consistent with policies and procedures within the Interlocal Agreement, the District Education Facilities Plan (DEFP) shall contain a 5-year financial feasibility schedule of capital improvements to address existing deficiencies and to achieve and maintain the adopted LOS in all CSAs.
POLICY 5.2: For each public elementary, middle, and high school, the uniform, district-wide LOS for School Type A shall be 100% gross capacity and the LOS for School Type B shall be 110% of the permanent Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) capacity.
OBJECTIVE 6: To formally adopt the capital improvement plans and schedules of all governmental agencies which schedule and fund improvements needed to maintain Cityadopted level of service standards.
POLICY 6.1: The City hereby adopts by reference the Broward County School Board’s 5-Year District Education Facilities Plan FY 2022-2023 to 2026-2027, adopted by the School Board on September 1, 2021.
POLICY 6.2: The City hereby adopts by reference the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FY 20242028 formally adopted by the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization on July 13, 2023.
POLICY 6.3: The City hereby adopts the City’s FY 2022–2027 5-year Capital Improvements Program as originally adopted on September 28, 2021.
POLICY 6.4: The City hereby adopts by reference the Fort Lauderdale 2020 Water Supply Facilities Work Plan.
POLICY 6.5: The City hereby adopts by reference the Broward County 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan.
OBJECTIVE 7: The Capital Improvement Element, and the five-year Capital Improvements Schedule and Plan incorporated into the Element by reference, shall be used as the basis for detailing the City’s public facility deficiencies and planning corrective capital projects.
POLICY 7.1: Appropriate mechanisms will be developed and adopted with the SFWMD, Broward County and Fort Lauderdale in order to assure that adequate water supplies are available to all water users. Furthermore, the City will be responsible for monitoring the availability of water supplies for all water users and for implementing a system that links water supplies to the permitting of new development. Prior to approval of a building permit or its functional equivalent, the City shall consult with Broward County and Fort Lauderdale to determine whether adequate water supplies to serve new development will be available no later than the anticipated date of issuance by the City of a certificate of occupancy or its functional equivalent.
POLICY 7.2: The City shall provide monthly data to Broward County and Fort Lauderdale, as required by such entity, to track the amount of water to be allocated for new use.
POLICY 7.3: The City shall incorporate capital improvements affecting City levels of service by referencing the Capital Improvements Schedules of Broward County and Fort Lauderdale, state agencies, regional water supply authorities and other units of government providing services but not having regulatory authority over the use of land into its 5-Year Schedule of Capital Improvements. The City Capital Improvement Element Schedule shall be maintained and updated and shall demonstrate that level of service standards will be maintained during the next five-year (2025/2026 through 2030/2031) planning period.
Education is a lifelong endeavor. In line with the City’s vision to be a multigenerational community, we have adopted an outlook on education policies that not only provides for facilities to learn for children from K-12, but those geared for opportunities for vocational training and personal enrichments for residents ranging from young adults to our elderly. The Comprehensive Plan Education Element outlines the City’s commitment to ensuring the availability of public-school facilities for current and future students within the adopted level of service standards. Through collaboration with the Broward County Board of Commissioners and the School Board, the City will adopt the Five-Year District Educational Facilities Plan (DEFP). In turn, shared use and colocation of school sites with other public facilities are highly encouraged. Regardless of primary, secondary, or continued education, Tamarac strives to ensure access to quality educational institutions and resources are available for all families. Additionally, this plan intends to encourage development opportunities for satellite campuses, to increase access to higher educational institutions. Continued learning may also be supported through experiential learning opportunities hosted at the library, parks, and other municipal events. This commitment reflects the City’s dedication to a thriving and well-rounded community where education is central to individual and collective prosperity.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: Education is the foundation of any successful community, and a diverse, lifelong workforce provides the necessary skills and knowledge to sustain it. Education is a human right and a powerful driver of development that can help reduce poverty, improve health, promote equality, and empower individuals. The City’s goal is to provide the outline for a city that promotes all levels of education. From the traditional K-12, colleges, and vocational educational systems to business incubators, senior skill centers, and art studios. The city will accomplish this through the promotion of public school concurrency, intergovernmental collaboration, and new forms of educational programs and facilities.
OBJECTIVE 1: Pursuant to Chapters 163.3177 and 163.3180 F.S. and the Interlocal Agreement for Public School Facility Planning (ILA), the City shall provide comments to the School Board during its annual preparation, update, and adoption of the 5-year District Educational Facilities Plan (DEFP). The School Board shall also ensure that school facilities are planned to meet the long-term planning period of the Public School Facility Element (PSFE) of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, consistent with the provisions of the ILA. This will also include review of the number of residential building permits issued with annual update of the DEFP.
POLICY 1.1: The financially feasible schedule of the DEFP shall be annually adopted into the City Comprehensive Plan Capital Improvements Element (CIE) by reference.
POLICY 1.2: The School Board, through the Adopted DEFP, shall depict the capacity needed to achieve and maintain the adopted LOS for each CSA within the ten and twenty-year planning periods. These projections are included in the supporting documents of the PSFE.
POLICY 1.3: The School Board, through the DEFP, shall provide a five-year financially feasible schedule for the remodeling/renovation of existing schools to meet the identified needs of aging schools and replace worn facilities.
POLICY 1.4: The School Board, shall amend the DEFP, on an annual basis to:
1. Add a new fifth year;
2. Reflect changes in estimated capital revenues, planned capital appropriations costs, planned capital facilities projects, CSAs and school usage; and,
3. Ensure the DEFP continues to be financially feasible for the ten and twenty-year planning periods.
POLICY 1.5: Annual updates to the CIE shall be coordinated with adopted updates to the DEFP and CSA maps. The annual plan amendments shall ensure that the schedule of capital improvements with the CIE continues to be financially feasible and the LOS will be achieved and maintained.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City shall continue to participate in the Broward County wide public school facilities concurrency management system for implementation of public school concurrency to ensure that public school facilities are available at the adopted level of service standard concurrent with the impact of proposed residential development.
POLICY 2.1: The City in collaboration with the School Board and Broward County shall implement concurrency management systems consistent with the policies included in the Broward County’s and the City’s Public School Facilities Element with procedures and requirements included within the City’s Land Development Code and the ILA.
POLICY 2.2: The CSAs shall be the annually adopted school attendance boundaries for each elementary, middle and high school. The maps of the CSAs are maintained in the data and analysis section of this Element.
POLICY 2.3: For each public elementary, middle, and high school, the uniform, district-wide LOS for School Type A shall be 100% gross capacity and the LOS for School Type B shall be 110% of the permanent Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) capacity.
POLICY 2.4: If adequate capacity is not available in a CSA for a proposed residential development, but capacity exists in one or more contiguous CSAs, the development may proceed consistent with the provisions and procedures in the City’s Land Development Code and the ILA.
POLICY 2.5: If adequate capacity is not currently available in a CSA or contiguous CSA, for a proposed residential development, but capacity is scheduled in the DEFP to be available within 3 years after the issuance of final subdivision or site plan approval, (or functional equivalent), development of the project may proceed in accordance with the provisions and procedures in the City’s Land Development Code and the ILA.
POLICY 2.6: The CSAs shall be established and subsequently modified to maximize available school capacity and make efficient use of new and existing public schools in accordance with the level of service standards and the permanent capacity, taking into account special considerations such as core capacity, special programs, transportation costs, geographic impediments, diversity programs, and class size reduction requirements to prevent disparate enrollment levels between schools of the same type (elementary, middle, high) and provide an equitable distribution of student enrollment District-wide.
POLICY 2.7: The City shall not approve a residential plat or site plan or functional equivalent until the School Board has reported that the school concurrency requirement has been satisfied consistent with the provisions and procedures in the City’s Land development Code and the Interlocal Agreement.
POLICY 2.8: The projected student impact of a proposed residential development shall be determined using the student generation rates approved by the School Board and adopted within the City’s Land Development Code. The student generation rates shall be reviewed and updated at least every three (3) years.
POLICY 2.9: The public school concurrency approval for residential plats shall expire if development within the plat does not commence within five (5) years following the date of County Commission approval. Public school concurrency approval for residential site plans shall expire subject to the issuance of a building permit development with (1) year following the date of City Commission approval.
3: The School Board, pursuant to Chapter 163.3180 F.S. and the ILA, shall include proportionate share mitigation alternatives that provide an option for residential developments unable to meet the public school concurrency requirement.
POLICY 3.1: A residential development’s proportionate share mitigation value shall be determined by multiplying the number of additional student stations needed to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on schools within the affected CSA(s) not meeting the adopted LOS standards by the State cost per student station for each school type plus a land impact cost share, if applicable. Pursuant to Section
163.3180(13)(e)(2), F.S., the applicant’s proportionate share mitigation obligation shall be credited toward any other impact or exaction fee imposed by local ordinance for the same need, on a dollar-for dollar basis, at fair market value.
POLICY 3.2: Proportionate share mitigation shall enhance the capacity of the schools (or provide for the construction of new schools) serving the proposed residential development. The mitigation shall equate to at least one permanent classroom, which may be funded by one or more residential developments, or other identified funding sources. Mitigation that results in the need for school site(s) shall primarily be the dedication of land. Proportionate share mitigation shall include the following options, as further defined and subject to, procedures and requirements in the Interlocal Agreement:
1. Purchase or dedication of needed elementary, middle or high school sites.
2. Construction of capacity improvements identified in years four (4) or five (5) of the DEFP including the advancement of such improvements into the first three years of the DEFP.
3. Construction of previously unplanned schools, classroom additions, modular classrooms or similar facilities. Such facility capacity shall be included in the first three years of the DEFP through an amendment approved by the School Board.
4. Construction of the needed capacity at one or more charter schools.
5. Other mitigation options approved by the School Board on a case-by-case basis contingent upon a School Board finding that the option mitigates the impact of the proposed development.
POLICY 3.3: Mitigation shall be assured by a legally binding agreement between the School Board, the applicant, and the City executed prior to the issuance of the final subdivision plat or the final site plan approval (or functional equivalent). The School Board must commit in the agreement to placing the improvement required for mitigation in the first three (3) years of the DEFP.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City shall coordinate with the School Board and Broward County to ensure that the locations of existing and proposed school sites are compatible with and proximate to the existing and planned land uses they serve.
POLICY 4.1: The City will coordinate through the procedures established in the Interlocal Agreement that existing and proposed public school facility sites are consistent and compatible with the City Comprehensive Plan.
POLICY 4.2: The City will coordinate with the School Board and Broward County to prepare projections of future development and public school enrollment growth and to ensure such projections are consistent with the City’s future land use map and the School Board’s Long Range Public School Facilities Map, and procedures and requirements identified in the Interlocal Agreement.
POLICY 4.3: Consistent with Section 163.3177 (12) (g), F.S., the City shall adopt by reference the Broward County PSFE that include future conditions maps showing existing and anticipated school facilities for the short-term (5-year) and long-term (10 year) planning time frames. Maps 1 through 12 of the PSFE depict the short and long term existing and anticipated public school facilities and ancillary plants.
POLICY 4.4: Consistent with provisions and procedures in the Interlocal Agreement, the School Board will advise the City of inconsistencies in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive Plan Amendments with the DEFP and Long-Range School Facilities Plan.
POLICY 4.5: The School Board shall monitor and participate in the City’s plat review and site plan review processes, the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process, the land use plan amendment process, and other development order/permit processes.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall utilize the procedures identified within the Interlocal Agreement, including the Staff Working Group and Oversight Committee established by the Interlocal Agreement, to coordinate the annual review of school enrollment projections in addition to the preparation and annual reviews of public school facilities elements and ensure that the elements are consistent with each other.
POLICY 4.7: The City shall annually amend its CIE after the School Board annually updates and adopts the DEFP and transmits it to the City consistent with the provisions and procedures of the Interlocal Agreement, including any supplemental amendments.
POLICY 4.8: The City shall share and coordinate information with the School Board and Broward County through the municipal platting, site plan, and school siting processes and procedures identified in the Interlocal Agreement to ensure the location, phasing, and development of public school facilities, including additions to existing facilities, is coordinated with the provision of necessary public facilities.
POLICY 4.9: The City, pursuant, shall coordinate the location of public school facilities with the School Board and Broward County relative to the location of other public facilities such as parks, libraries, and community centers and promote schools to be focal points within the community.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement, shall coordinate the location of public school facilities, with the School Board and Broward County relative to the location of other public facilities such as parks, libraries, and community centers and promote schools to be focal points within the community.
POLICY 5.1: In the planning, siting, land acquisition, permitting and development of a new school facility or significant renovation or expansion, the School Board shall coordinate with the City on the availability of public facilities and services.
POLICY 5.2: The City shall pursue shared-use and co-location of school sites with School Board and County facilities having similar facility needs, such as libraries, parks, ball fields, other recreation facilities.
POLICY 5.3: Through the design of school facilities, establishment of school siting standards and pursuit of collocation opportunities, the School Board is encouraged to promote school facilities to serve as community focal points.
POLICY 5.4: The City will coordinate with the School Board and Broward County, on efforts to build new school facilities, which are designed to serve as emergency shelters as required by Section 1013.372, F.S.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City shall coordinate the facilitation of installing diverse centers of learning. Such as senior learning centers, business incubator programs, skill-building centers, and other places of learning as the City may see fit.
POLICY 6.1: The City will collaborate with the State of Florida, Broward County, and adjacent municipalities on large-scale developments that are proposed in the region to ensure these developments are compatible with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall coordinate with regional educational systems to promote a program that allows for the continued education of senior citizens to ensure that the city residents have access to learning new and advancing technologies.
POLICY 6.3: The City will promote the conversion of industrial zoning into artesian zoning with artist-inresidence guidelines for areas surrounding the new city hall location.
POLICY 6.4: The City will sponsor the creation of job skill centers where residents can attend classes and seminars that assist in reentering or transitioning into the workforce.
The City of Tamarac, situated strategically within Broward County, is dedicated to fostering economic development while addressing challenges related to density, population growth, and land use constraints. In pursuit of this goal, Tamarac aims to establish itself as a resilient community with a strong focus on local investment and active resident participation in the economy. Through initiatives such as diversifying the business pool, expanding business incubating corridors, and adopting building strategies conducive to mixeduse development and integrated into local and regional transportation networks, Tamarac seeks to create inclusive and welcoming areas that attract businesses. Leveraging partnerships with educational institutions to establish research and innovation hubs, fostering commercial and retail development, implementing a business recruitment and expansion program, and streamlining formal processes for new business interests are integral components of Tamarac’s economic development strategy. Ultimately, the City aspires to enhance the urban landscape to cultivate dynamic workplaces and vibrant community gathering spaces, promoting sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Additionally, in alignment with its commitment to workforce development, Tamarac will collaborate with educational institutions, offer apprenticeship and internship programs, provide entrepreneurship support, and facilitate industry-specific training to create a skilled and adaptable workforce, thereby driving job creation and economic advancement.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: Capitalize on Tamarac’s strategic location within Broward County by promoting it as a business-friendly destination, cultivating a distinct business identity, rejuvenating economic competition through increased training and recruitment efforts, prioritizing the success of local workforce and industry with living-wage employment, and supporting development for the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
OBJECTIVE 1: Develop a City business identity through branding and marketing.
POLICY 1.1: The City shall establish a City brand and business identity, inclusive of considerations for a brand statement, tagline, and visual identity, as part of a Citywide marketing strategy.
POLICY 1.2: Explore opportunities to collaborate with non-profit organizations to execute placemaking projects, to foster enhancements that support Tamarac’s livability and business identity.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall use it’s Public Art Program to support art, beautification, and landscaping efforts aimed at enhancing the City’s entryways and major corridors, which help contribute to the development of the City’s unique identity within Broward County.
POLICY 1.4: The City shall seek ways to leverage enhanced branding and marketing strategies to strengthen the city’s diverse cultural identity.
POLICY 1.5: Utilize the City’s distinctive diversity to explore and promote cultural exchange initiatives that bolster support small businesses.
OBJECTIVE 2: Establish procedures and tools to encourage business development and assist economic development in Tamarac.
POLICY 2.1: The City may designate an Economic Development Representative/Agency to serve as the lead agency for implementing this Element and the coordination of City economic development activities and initiatives.
POLICY 2.2: The City shall develop and maintain programs and services that address the changing needs of the local business community. The City shall evaluate the urban design strategies like height, and density bonuses for targeted areas, including multimodal and transportation corridors, and the City’s industrial areas.
POLICY 2.3: Based on evolving conditions, the City shall explore ways to update business incentive programs to provide incentives to projects and industries which have a demonstrated potential to provide middle to high-income job opportunities, contribute to revitalization of the City’s older commercial properties, or which contribute to transit-oriented development served by existing or proposed transportation projects within the City.
POLICY 2.4: Through collaboration with the Tamarac North Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the City shall regularly evaluate economic conditions to determine the industries, sectors, and locations that are most significant to regional and local economic growth and creation of quality jobs.
POLICY 2.5: The City shall update its Economic Development Strategic Plan every five years, to report on economic trends, describe targeted industry clusters, identify economic issues for the City, inform infrastructure and land use priorities, develop strategies for addressing near- to mid-term economic issues, and identify new initiatives with the private sector.
POLICY 2.6: The City shall seek opportunities where appropriate to foster partnerships between the public and private sectors to improve the business climate.
POLICY 2.7: The City should initiate efforts and support the efforts of other agencies to obtain grant monies and other funds designed to assist local economic development initiatives to increase employment opportunities for Tamarac’s residents.
POLICY 2.8: The City shall evaluate its major corridors to understand business conditions and support areas where business diversification is needed. As part of the analysis, emerging business that can be supported by incubators should be identified.
POLICY 2.9: The City will update the City’s signage code, landscaping code, and other design standards as needed, as well as its code enforcement mechanisms, to develop standards that limit or reduces the blight of commercial properties.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City will support economic development throughout each District through infrastructure improvements and investment in development.
POLICY 3.1: The City will support independently owned and operated retail and restaurants in commercial districts to reinforce local and cultural identities making up Tamarac, and strengthen the local economy.
POLICY 3.2: The City will seek to coordinate, where appropriate, City investment in utilities, including opportunities for fiber optic broadband, 5G cellular (or latest standard), emerging technologies to provide high speed Internet access, and transportation facilities with business, employment and economic development opportunities.
POLICY 3.3: The City will continue to enhance the nighttime economy through the improvement of safety, encouragement of social and entertainment options, and enhanced service provisions, achieved through coordination with city, county, and state agencies, hospitality and business organizations, educational institutions, and commercial areas with active dining, entertainment, and events.
POLICY 3.4: The City shall use it’s Public Art Program to support public art, digital art, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) considerations wherever possible to strengthen economic development and city beautification, enhance the sense of identity and transform public spaces.
POLICY 3.5: The City shall support the private sector to facilitate the redevelopment or enhancement of commercial properties showing symptoms of disinvestment, as demonstrated by the number of code violations or any trends demonstrating a reduction in business licenses issued for the property.
POLICY. 3.6: The City will explore the implementation of a land banking program to secure land for the future needs of Tamarac residents.
POLICY 3.7: The City will support regional mass transit initiatives to foster connections that promote accessibility to local businesses.
POLICY 3.8: The City will support infrastructure development and review application of mass transit incentive programs as applicable for new development. Such as, commuter programs, bus passes, and support for local circulator, and on-demand transit services.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City shall prioritize economic development efforts to attract and induce investment in local small businesses throughout the City.
POLICY 4.1: The City shall maintain active involvement in the Tamarac North Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, to promote the growth and development of small businesses within the City.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall promote the growth of local small or entrepreneurial businesses through support for development of co-working facilities and business incubators within the City, as needed.
POLICY 4.3: The City shall promote access to working capital and other forms of financial assistance to nurture entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth.
POLICY 4.4: Through the Chamber of Commerce, the City shall assist existing business owners by providing information on accessing programs that can provide financial assistance and business consulting services.
POLICY 4.5: Through the Chamber of Commerce, the City will consider, where applicable, public/private partnerships to provide incubation spaces for small businesses and shall explore incentives to encourage property owners and building owners to offer affordable spaces for start-ups and small businesses.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall explore opportunities to attract the tech industry to the City, and expand the network for technology and innovation entrepreneurs, facilitating learning, relationships, and resources for business growth.
POLICY 4.7: The City shall foster the growth of tech industries and promote the establishment of related businesses within the City’s Business Park, creating a hub for innovation and economic development.
POLICY 4.8: Local start-up businesses established in the City shall be supported by the City, through programmatic efforts that help identify locations for the retention of start-ups, supporting an educated workforce, and by providing access to grants and funding for such businesses.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City shall support workforce development to facilitate economic mobility and cultivate a diverse labor pool, enhancing the City’s attractiveness for businesses to locate.
POLICY 5.1: The City shall support the City and County’s workforce development organizations to enhance access and provision of adult and youth workforce development, adult retraining, and targeted services for unrepresented and under-represented groups living or working in Tamarac.
POLICY 5.2: The City shall support efforts to provide labor market information from data sources and industry sectors to local educational institutions, training agencies, and the public.
POLICY 5.3: The City will continue to use it’s Public Art Program to enhance and promote arts and culture activities that raise the quality of life, in order to continue to attract creative-class workers and living wage employers.
POLICY 5.4: The City shall collaborate with employers, nonprofits, educational institutions and social service agencies to create opportunities for individuals in training, retraining or working to meet their dependent care needs.
POLICY 5.5: The City shall consider developing a small business incentive program designed to attract small businesses in key industries.
POLICY 5.6: The City will create partnerships with external private and public entities to establish a program for local students pursuing careers in medical, airport-related industries, manufacturing, and technology to obtain workforce experience.
POLICY 5.7: The City shall coordinate with Broward County agencies and institutions of higher learning such as CareerSource Broward and Broward College to create workforce training centers to increase local labor skill sets and targeted industries.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City shall coordinate with Broward County Public Schools and regional institutions of higher learning to encourage Career Technical Education training opportunities and research and development within the City.
POLICY 6.1: The City shall encourage the provision of appropriate educational opportunities, programs, and facilities to meet the City’s business and industry needs.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall promote education and training programs that encourage high-tech and research and development businesses and industries to locate within the City.
POLICY 6.3: The City shall seek opportunities to improve linkages between industry clusters and research institutions, hospitals, educational institutions, and other technology-based businesses, including the encouragement and support of research and development opportunities to enhance and support high-tech, medical and related life sciences industries.
POLICY 6.4: The City shall encourage, where feasible, the location of institutions of higher learning within the City, including entrepreneurship satellite programs, to provide increased access for local residents and businesses.
OBJECTIVE 7: The City shall maintain a variety of land uses to sustain a strong and varied economic base.
POLICY 7.1: The City shall protect existing basic sector uses in the City, that provide quality job opportunities including middle income jobs, while also providing for secondary employment and supporting uses; and maintaining areas where smaller emerging industrial uses can locate in a multi-tenant setting.
POLICY 7.2: When considering plan amendments, commercial and industrial land use designations contained in the Future Land Use Element should be appropriately applied to protect viable sites for basic sector and related employment uses.
POLICY 7.3: The City shall enhance the City’s existing neighborhood commercial activity centers and develop new commercial activity centers that encourage daytime and nighttime uses, unless proven infeasible.
POLICY 7.4: The City shall strive to identify commercial retail and service areas in community plans to serve markets beyond the City’s limits. Where applicable, it will encourage the development of unique shopping districts that help strengthen community identity and contribute to the City’s overall revitalization.
POLICY 7.5: The City shall evaluate measures and techniques, including but not limited to flexible use and universal design, which will allow for conversion of uses in response to changes in online and brick-andmortar retail market conditions. This includes the use of shared and co-working office spaces.
POLICY 7.6: The City shall determine the appropriate mix and form of residential and commercial uses along major corridors based on the unique character and needs of the community, considering: the types and mix of uses that will complement adjacent residential areas, parcel size and depth, and the need to revitalize economically obsolete uses.
POLICY 7.7: The City shall promote and facilitate shared parking facilities including parking structures as part of commercial revitalization activities.
OBJECTIVE 8: The City shall support future development and connections to the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
POLICY 8.1: The City shall maintain industrial warehouse uses as appropriate within the City to foster freight and supply chain connections for local businesses.
POLICY 8.2: The City shall support the maintenance and expansion of air cargo capacity in the City that contributes to the West Broward area.
POLICY 8.3: City shall support and promote the further economic development of Foreign Trade Zone No. 241 (Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport).
POLICY 8.4: The City shall encourage the relocation and development of aerospace, high-tech, and life sciences industries and available areas around the airport, including the Foreign Trade Zone.
OBJECTIVE 9: The City shall create and identify a downtown district and additional local activity centers.
Policy 9.1: The City shall establish an identifiable downtown core and maintain an associated branding program for a downtown area.
Policy 9.2: The City will maintain a regular program to assess vacancies and retail leakage to identify strategic approaches for developing vibrant commercial retail corridors.
Policy 9.3: The City will, based on ongoing assessments, prioritize strategies to encourage retail and dining establishments within the City’s mixed-use downtown and commercial corridors. These include considerations for economic development incentives and regular review of land use policies regarding retail and restaurant establishments.
Policy 9.4: The City shall consider the establishment of a facade improvement program and design criteria for commercial and mixed-use plazas within local activity enters..
Policy 9.5: The City shall focus on developing special event outdoor venues to promote the vibrancy and use of local activity centers.
OBJECTIVE 10: The City will diversify employment and livability opportunities by encouraging investment in its Opportunity Zones.
Policy 10.1: The City shall encourage small business development within Opportunity Zones by educating residents and businesses about government sponsored procurement opportunities. Such as through the Broward County Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise program.
POLICY 10.2: The City shall promote the construction of affordable housing units within Opportunity Zones to ensure that low- and moderate-income families benefit from the investments.
POLICY 10.3: The City shall create and alter zoning Codes to offer incentives for mixed-use developments within the Opportunity Zones.
OBJECTIVE 11: The City shall redevelop its underutilized, obsolete, and aging areas to promote the creation of new residential, commercial, and employment centers.
POLICY 11.1: The City shall maintain an inventory of underutilized, obsolete, and aging areas that could benefit the most from redevelopment.
POLICY 11.2: The City shall provide mechanisms that promote the redevelopment of underutilized, obsolete, and aging areas by providing flexibility in land development regulations. Such as, encouraging pedestrianoriented and transit-oriented developments, creation of open/public spaces, and promoting mixed-use facilities/structures.
POLICY 11.3: The City shall promote the use of Planned Developments (PDs) that incorporate innovative and sustainable technologies and practices that maximize the potential of redevelopment sites.
OBJECTIVE 12: The City shall establish Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) and provide capital, facilities and personnel for their maintenance.
POLICY 12.1: The City shall prepare a Finding of Necessity Report to document the conditions that justify the creation of a CRA. Such as, the presence of substandard or blighted structures, a shortage of affordable housing, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient roadways, and inadequate parking.
POLICY 12.2: The City shall establish a Community Redevelopment Agency made of five (5) to seven (7) board members that are selected by the City Commission.
POLICY 12.3: The City shall adopt a Community Redevelopment Plan for each CRA established that includes the needs of the targeted area, the overall goals, identified specific projects, and the creation of a Redevelopment Trust Fund.
POLICY 12.4: The City shall consider offering financial incentives such as tax increment financing (TIF), grants, and low-interest loans to encourage private investment in the CRA through the creation of a streamlined application process for businesses and developers seeking incentives.
POLICY 12.5: The City shall encourage the development of mixed-income housing projects and provide density bonuses to developers providing affordable housing in accordance to Broward County Land Use Plan Policy 2.16.4.
POLICY 12.6: The City shall hold regular public meetings of the CRA Board to gather input from residents and stakeholders.
The City shall improve public infrastructure to support redevelopment efforts and enhance
The Private Property Rights Element highlights the critical role local governments play in regulating land use, shaping real estate markets, and protecting property rights. Transparency, predictability, and reliability are essential aspects of effective land use policies, helping to create a framework that supports both community engagement and economic growth. In the development review process, public participation fosters open communication between the city and its residents, ensuring that stakeholders and citizens alike can better understand and engage with local development initiatives. Clear guidelines contribute to a shared understanding of expectations, allowing communities to anticipate future growth while encouraging investment opportunities. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, the City aims to balance the needs of its citizens with opportunities for a thriving local economy.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: The City shall prioritize local decision-making processes that respect both private property rights and the rights of individuals to participate in decisions affecting their lives and property.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City shall apply rules, ordinances, and regulations established under Florida’s Community Planning Act, Section 163.3161, Fla. Stat., Et Seq., with respect to private property rights in local decision-making.
POLICY 1.1: The City shall consider the right of a property owner to physically possess and control his or her interests in the property, including easements, leases, or mineral rights in its local decision-making.
POLICY 1.2: The City shall consider the right of a property owner to use, maintain, develop, and improve his or her property for personal use or the use of any other person, subject to state law and local ordinances in its local decision-making.
POLICY 1.3: The City shall consider the right of a property owner to privacy and to exclude others from the property to protect the owner’s possessions and property in its local decision-making.
POLICY 1.4: The City shall consider the right of a property owner to dispose of his or her property through sale or gift in its local decision-making.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will ensure transparency in planning and development procedures to facilitate the participation of all people in decisions that affect their lives and property.
POLICY 2.1: The Land Development Code shall establish clear standards for informing the City’s citizens about upcoming public hearings held by both the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Commission, in accordance with Florida Statutes.
POLICY 2.2: The City will uphold the established public participation procedures delineated within the Land Development Code, which serve as a structured framework for facilitating public engagement throughout the development review process, involving of neighbors and civic associations.
The physical landscape serves as a canvas for community interaction and public engagement. Our urban design element is deeply rooted in the aspiration to encapsulate both our present vision and future development goals for the public realm. At its core, this framework champions the principles of livability, sustainability, and resiliency, shaping an urban environment that is both dynamic and enduring. By prioritizing these principles, we endeavor to create a socially vibrant and pedestrian-friendly cityscape, while also advocating for adaptable design practices that uphold the longevity and functionality of our public spaces. As the City evolves and undergoes redevelopment, we recognize the importance of fostering distinct neighborhood characteristics and architectural expressions that cultivate a palpable sense of place. The Urban Design Element serves as a comprehensive framework, addressing facets such as multi-modal connectivity, building and street design quality, open space equilibrium, and safety considerations. It is through this holistic approach that we imbue our city with a unique identity, enriching the experiences of residents and visitors alike. Our policies underscore the importance of place-making, manifested through meticulous attention to detail in building and street design, as well as other distinctive urban elements. By harmonizing the physical and visual dimensions of urban life, we aim to create interconnected spaces that promote safety, comfort, and meaningful interactions. Together, we are shaping a vibrant and inclusive urban environment for generations to come.
The City of Tamarac refers to the municipal corporation located in Broward County, Florida, responsible for local government functions within its boundaries. From this point onward, the term “City” will be used to refer to the City of Tamarac.
GOAL: To foster a vibrant, smart, and sustainable community through high-quality urban design and innovative development practices, to enhance quality of life.
OBJECTIVE 1: The City will support and maintain innovative urban planning practices.
POLICY 1.1: The City shall develop urban design standards that enhance the aesthetic quality of existing and future development in all land use categories by the establishment and implementation of design criteria and development standards in the Land Development Code (LDC).
POLICY 1.2: The City will implement the Landscape Plan approved by the City Commission for Pine Island Road and Commercial Boulevard Gateway, Rock Island Road and Bailey Square Gateway, University Drive and Southgate Boulevard Gateway, and University Drive and 78th Entry.
POLICY 1.3: The City will create a Master Landscape Plan by 2050 that is visually appealing and provides for a strong urban tree canopy network along major roadway corridors.
OBJECTIVE 2: The City will encourage a walkable and accessible urban fabric.
POLICY 2.1: The City shall work to enhance and better integrate parks, plazas, and pedestrian access into civic and cultural institutions planning.
POLICY 2.2: The City shall identify and enhance gateways and city areas, preferably along multimodal facilities, that can serve as wayfinding markers and placemaking tools to welcome and direct residents and visitors to Tamarac.
POLICY 2.3: The City should ensure that development proposals utilize design standards in the Land Development Code to maintain and enhance the design aesthetic and create a sense of place.
POLICY 2.4: The City shall promote high-quality and sustainable building design elements which complement the public realm. This can be accomplished by adopting design guidelines that enhance the built environment with considerations to building entrances, hardscape materials, public art, and usage of high-quality materials, finishes, and amenities.
POLICY 2.5: The City shall implement pedestrian friendly design enhancements for the community through design standards that focus on safety, comfort, reduction of barriers, and enhanced amenities.
OBJECTIVE 3: The City will enhance the urban landscape across the City by strategic implementation of urban design practices and principles to create a compelling sense of place.
POLICY 3.1: By 2030, the City shall have designated and implemented a citywide Landscape Code to include Florida-friendly and xeriscape landscape materials, practices, and require shaded, walkable streets.
POLICY 3.2: The City shall incorporate new design guideline criteria that address safety, public health, and visually appealing design for residents, business-owners, and visitors of all ages and abilities.
POLICY 3.3: The City shall strive to gradually enhance the quality of existing development throughout the City through the review and application of design standards and guidelines, while also being adaptable to reasonable considerations as determined necessary.
POLICY 3.4: By 2050, the City shall create design standards and Land Development Code based on area context, with distinct characteristics, i.e., regional activity centers, transit-oriented corridors, lower density neighborhoods, etc.
POLICY 3.5: In considering new design guidelines, the City shall incorporate the following elements:
1. Multi-modal connectivity and interconnective street design with existing development.
2. Building design, considering mass, scale, and form of buildings in context with the surrounding area.
3. Lasting architecture and design, building façade composition and articulation, pedestrian experience, window transparency, and quality building materials.
4. Wayfinding signage is representative of engaging design and ideal placement.
5. Flexibility to support adaptable design accommodations for various uses.
POLICY 3.6: The City shall adopt a form-based code to address design standards integral to redevelopment and to address the gradient between adjacent lower-density residential areas. This will help protect established neighborhoods from unwanted development and guide redevelopment in cohesive and efficient methods.
POLICY 3.7: The City shall better strategize the placement of building entrances along active streets, adjoining public plaza spaces, and other open spaces.
POLICY 3.8: The City shall enhance the public realm and vitality of public spaces, within the planning and development review process by supporting public art considerations in the design of civic spaces and facilities.
POLICY 3.9: By 2030, the City shall address landscape and streetscape requirements as it applies to the beautification of the City and existing development and redevelopment.
POLICY 3.10: The City shall maintain an approved plants list derived from the Florida Friendly Landscaping program for use of streetscaping.
POLICY 3.11: The City shall encourage xeriscaping through design standards to reduce the need for excessive water usage.
POLICY 3.12: The City shall encourage proposed developments to be LEED certified and adhere to sustainable and resilient designs.
OBJECTIVE 4: The City shall incorporate streetscape design which integrates connectivity and technological advancements and mobility improvements.
POLICY 4.1: Site and streetscape design standards shall encourage trips by walking, bicycle, transit and other non-motorized modes of transportation with a focus on the integration of future technologies into the existing urban landscape.
POLICY 4.2: The City shall encourage standards for the design of public space facilities, including building orientation and pedestrian and/or bicycling pathways on site and through buildings, which provide for connections between different modes of travel, including walking, public transit, bicycling, and driving.
POLICY 4.3: The City shall encourage pedestrian and transit-oriented developments with greater emphasis on sidewalk width accommodation of multi-modal transportation options, incorporation of street trees and shading devices, and adequate bicycle facilities.
POLICY 4.4: The City shall continue to enhance and expand a connected network of pedestrian pathways, bicycle routes and greenways.
POLICY 4.5: The City shall focus improvements on high destination areas including regional activity centers and add connections to adjacent neighborhoods.
POLICY 4.6: The City shall find new opportunities along existing corridors in considering new greenways.
POLICY 4.7: The City shall amplify existing underutilized corridors, such as FPL easements and canals, that already connect local destination areas.
POLICY 4.8: The City shall encourage building design standards along Commercial Boulevard that integrates future rail mobility within and through future development projects.
OBJECTIVE 5: The City shall promote strong, healthy, and beautiful residential neighborhoods through enhanced physical character, distinctive qualities, and sustainable design.
POLICY 5.1: The City shall improve the appearance and identity of the City’s streets by applying uniform design and construction standards that promote an exceptional sense of place and include elements and street furniture that reflect the context and climate of the local environment, have a high-quality aesthetic, life cycle and minimal maintenance requirements.
POLICY 5.2: The City shall ensure regular outreach to neighborhood groups to determine how urban design standards can be improved to enhance livability and sense of place in the City.
POLICY 5.3: The City shall encourage inclusive design principles in new construction and retrofit projects to create physically accessible housing, extending from the individual unit to the community, and promoting accessibility and visibility throughout the City.
POLICY 5.4: The City shall prioritize accessibility in design standards that consider and meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, particularly in areas within proximity of services, transit, and amenities.
POLICY 5.5: The City shall adopt design standards that provide for light and air provisions through design, placement and form of buildings based on context.
POLICY 5.6: The City shall increase efforts for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) that will continue creating and enhancing safety and security throughout the built environment.
POLICY 5.7: The City shall encourage residents and new developments to plant street trees, whether planted as part of a public project or associated with private redevelopment, provided the species and locations are appropriate based on context and approved by the agency with jurisdiction over the right-of-way.
OBJECTIVE 6: The City shall Initiate the reduction of overhead utilities and other obtrusive elements to improve streetscapes.
POLICY 6.1: By 2030, the City should conduct a feasibility study to bury all utility lines and identify areas to prioritize.
POLICY 6.2: The City shall coordinate with local utility providers to identify priority areas for undergrounding or relocating overhead electrical and telephone/cable wires to remove visual clutter of existing infrastructure.
