THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE, DESIGNED FOR YOUR FUTURE.
CITY OF TAMARAC 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2 5
E P LA N COMPREHENSIV
THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE, DESIGNED FOR YOUR FUTURE.
MAYOR’S LETTER
By Michelle J. Gómez, Mayor
In the 60 years since its establishment, the City of Tamarac has grown from a small retirement locale to a thriving, multigenerational city covering 12 square miles, with 74,000 residents and 2,000 businesses. We expect to add 20,000 more residents over the next 20 years. Our property values have increased by an average of 11% annually for the past 10 years, and Tamarac was recently ranked third by MoneyGeek as the best place to live in “a small up-and-coming city showing the most promising… financial growth” out of 211 small cities in the United States.
As we enter our seventh decade, the City of Tamarac has reached a pivotal moment in our City’s development that requires us to transition into a new phase of revitalization and redevelopment, to ensure that our City remains vibrant, resilient and sustainable. To that end, the team at City Hall has worked with experts, community businesses and residents to develop the 2050 Comprehensive Plan that follows. This Plan serves as the framework for decisions being made for the next 20 years, taking a measured approach to thoughtful development in the right places, while being guided by a commitment to preserving the unique character of our community – one with a “Big city feel with small town charm and quietude.” It will allow us to balance the increasing demand for services, infrastructure and amenities with maintaining the quality of life that makes Tamarac such a desirable place to live, work and play.
As we move forward together into the next phase of our City’s growth, we are committed to keeping Tamarac a City that meets the diverse needs of all our residents and businesses, combining suburban quiet with the best that city living has to offer. We are also dedicated to being prepared to meet future challenges while preserving what we know and love about the place all of us are proud to call home. The Tamarac 2050 Comprehensive Plan will enable us to meet these challenges, and make the most of these opportunities, for the next 20 years and beyond.
To our current and future residents and businesses, we hope you are proud to be in Tamarac.
Sincerely,
Michelle J. Gómez Mayor, City of Tamarac
E P LA N COMPREHENSIV
THE CITY FOR YOUR LIFE, DESIGNED FOR YOUR FUTURE.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S LETTER
It is with great pleasure that I present the City of Tamarac’s Comprehensive Plan, a strategic blueprint that guides the future development, growth, and prosperity of our community. This document reflects our collective vision, values, and aspirations, serving as a framework for policymaking and resource allocation to achieve sustainable growth, enhance quality of life, and preserve the unique character of Tamarac.
The Comprehensive Plan is the result of extensive collaboration between residents, businesses, city staff, and community stakeholders. It addresses a broad range of elements, including land use, transportation, housing, economic development, public facilities, and environmental protection. Each element is carefully crafted to balance the diverse needs of our community, ensuring that we can accommodate future growth while protecting the natural and built environments that make our city a desirable place to live, work, and play.
As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades, this Plan will serve as our guiding document. It outlines clear goals, objectives, and policies that will help us make informed decisions, foster economic resilience, and enhance the well-being of all our residents. This is not a static document; it will be periodically reviewed and updated to respond to evolving circumstances and emerging trends.
I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this process. Your input and dedication have been invaluable in shaping a plan that truly reflects our shared vision for the future. Together, we are building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable city for current and future generations.
Sincerely,
Maxine A. Calloway, Esq., AICP
Director
of
Community Development & Deputy City Manager, City of Tamarac
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
MAYOR & COMMISSION
Michelle Gómez - Mayor
Morey Wright, Jr. - Commissioner, District 2
Marlon D. Bolton - Commissioner, District 1
Krystal Patterson - Commissioner, District 3
Dr. Kicia Daniel - Vice Mayor
CITY MANAGER
Levent Sucuoglu - City Manager
Maxine Calloway - Deputy City Manager
Tanya Sterling - Assistant to the City Manager
CITY ATTORNEY
Hans Ottinot - City Attorney
Pamela Ryan - Assistant City Attorney
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Christine Cajuste - Financial Services Director
MANAGEMENT & BUDGET
Jeff Streder - Budget Manager
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Maxine Calloway - Deputy City Manager/Director
Maher Mansour - Assistant Director
Collette Tibby - Senior Administrative Assistant
PLANNING & ZONING
Ann Johnson - Senior Planner & Project Manager
Robert Johnson, III - Senior Planner
Christian Waterval - Planner
HOUSING
Carolyn Francis-Royer - Housing & Community Development Manager
PARKS & RECREATION
Melissa Petron - Assistant Director
Sammie Monroe - P&R Site Supervisor
PUBLIC SERVICES
Mustafa Albassam - Public Services Director
Earl Henry - Assistant Director/Utilities
Daniela Herrera - Assistant City Engineer
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
Joanna Johnson - Communications & Marketing Manager
Ciera Campbell - Marketing Specialist
Greg Rosenberg - Marketing Specialist
CITY CLERK
Kimberly Dillon - City Clerk
Monica Barros - Assistant City Clerk
BROWARD SHERIFFS OFFICE
Jemeriah Cooper - Acting Captain
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
James Twigger - Chief Information Officer
Justin Antonoff - GIS Analyst
Jason Campbell - Deputy Chief Information Officer
Danny Ortiz - Network Infrastructure Manager
Zach Steiner - Technical Support Representative I Lucila Werner - Webmaster
FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT
Mike Annese - Fire Chief
Tommy Demopoulos - Division Chief/Fire Marshal
FIRE PREVENTION
Rebecca Geimer - Assistant Fire Marshal
PURCHASING
Daniel Vest - Procurement and Contracts Manager
Rhonda Kaplan - Senior Procurement Specialist
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Comprehensive Plan update represents a renewed commitment to shaping the future of our City. It is a promise to the residents who energize our neighborhoods, the local businesses that drive economic growth, and the City itself, which protects our green spaces and provides essential services. Together, we aim to build a future defined by opportunity, innovation, and resilience.
Since the last major revision of our Comprehensive Plan, significant changes have occurred in our City and beyond. These changes necessitate a modern, concise, and actionable framework to guide policy decisions over the next 20+ years. While much of the previous plan’s foundation remains relevant and valuable, this update seeks to address evolving trends, emerging challenges, and new opportunities to ensure continued progress and growth.
Traditionally, residents have experienced the City through their immediate surroundings—the neighborhoods they call home, the stores and services they rely on, and the parks and public spaces they enjoy. This updated plan encourages a broader perspective, fostering a sense of interconnectedness across the City. It bridges the eastern and western sections through shared values and a unified vision, creating a framework that aligns community priorities with long-term planning.
This document is not intended to prescribe specific initiatives or projects. Instead, it defines the principles and values that will guide decision-making, ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach to growth and development. While change is inevitable, this plan empowers us to shape that change collaboratively, creating a thriving and inclusive City for generations to come.
“Tamarac which used to be a predominantly senior city is rapidly changing to a city for all ages.”
- Resident Survey Response, 2023
INTRODUCTION
Why Have a Comprehensive Plan?
The State of Florida enacted the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act in 1975 to establish longterm guidelines for growth and development, addressing the needs of a rapidly expanding population. A key requirement of the original legislation was for local governments to include a state-approved land use element in their plans.
Since its inception, both the Act and our communities have evolved significantly. The legislation has undergone numerous amendments, expanding the scope of comprehensive planning far beyond land use. Today, comprehensive plans are required to address a broader range of development factors, with an increased emphasis on meeting social needs and fostering sustainable growth.
The City of Tamarac has incorporated all required elements, along with several optional elements, into this comprehensive plan update. These elements, listed below, reflect the City’s commitment to meeting statemandated requirements while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS
I. Implementation/Administration
This Element ensures the execution, monitoring, and updating of the Comprehensive Plan, aligning it with the City of Tamarac’s Vision for 2050 and Strategic Plan.
II. Future Land Use
This element identifies locations where various land uses and intensities of use will be permitted to occur in the future. In a way it outlines what we want our city to look like. The element provides the criteria for the locations, pattern, and character of development.
III. Transportation
This element focuses on providing a multimodal transportation system that emphasizes public transit systems and encourages economic development through flexible mobility options for the City. This includes roadway improvements, micromobility investments and integrated transit centers that offer first-mile/last-mile connectivity throughout our City.
IV. Housing
This element is designed to promote the development of housing options that meet the diverse needs of the community. This includes affordable housing initiatives, transit-oriented developments, and mixed-use districts, while preserving the character of our city’s single-family neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks.
V. Infrastructure
In this element the level of service is set for the City’s infrastructure, including water, sewer, storm water, and solid waste facilities. Our City is responsible for the development, expansion and maintenance of all sanitary sewer collection and transmission facilities within the City. Wastewater generated by the City is treated by two separate treatment providers – the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
VI. Conservation
This element contains principles, guidelines, and standards for conservation of important natural resources. This includes protecting and preserving the health of the soils, wildlife, lakes, flora, fauna, and any other natural environmental feature within our City.
VII. Recreation and Open Space
The element guides the future decision making with regard to park planning and addresses supply and demand for recreational opportunities in the City. Our City prides itself on its extensive number of acres devoted toward public and private recreational facilities.
VIII. Intergovernmental Coordination
This element establishes the basis for executing interlocal planning and public service partnerships. The City of Tamarac maintains such agreements with each adjacent municipality, such as North Lauderdale, Sunrise, Coral Springs, and Fort Lauderdale. In addition, our City works together with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, Broward County Government, and State and Federal entities for planning initiatives.
IX. Capital Improvements
It is required that the capital improvement projects, which are necessary to ensure that adopted level of service standards for public facilities will be achieved and maintained for the five-year period. This includes water treatment, collection services, roadway improvements among other critical facilities.
X. Education
This element describes continued coordination with Broward County Public Schools, our public libraries, and our institutions of higher learning to provide opportunities for a robust and well-rounded education for all residents. This includes providing an environment that offers a wide array of learning opportunities.
XI. Economic Development
This Element highlights Tamarac’s commitment to fostering economic development by addressing challenges like population growth and land use constraints while promoting resilience through local investment and resident participation. The city plans to achieve this through business diversification, strategic partnerships, mixed-use development, workforce training, and initiatives that create vibrant, sustainable community spaces.
XII. Private Property Rights (New Required Element)
The State required all local governments to adopt this element into the Comprehensive Plan. It consists of several policies to ensure that private property rights are considered in the City’s local decision making.
XIII. Urban Design
This Element outlines a vision for a dynamic, sustainable, and resilient urban landscape that fosters livability and community engagement. It prioritizes vibrant public spaces, pedestrian-friendly design, and adaptable practices to create a unique city identity and enrich experiences for all.
Although the statute does not mandate the enforcement of regulations outlined in a comprehensive plan, it establishes a robust foundation for local governments to base their planning goals upon, empowering residents to hold their officials accountable for achieving these goals.
This updated comprehensive plan not only fulfills all State-mandated requirements but also includes optional elements designed to address local priorities and safeguard improvements to residents’ quality of life. At its core, the plan articulates Tamarac’s values—past, present, and future—while establishing a framework for realizing its goals and objectives.
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Community involvement has been central to the development of this plan. By incorporating diverse feedback from residents, this document has been crafted to be both adaptable and accessible, ensuring its relevance and usability across the community.
The development of this plan was a thorough and deliberate process, guided by a series of clearly defined tasks that ensured every critical detail was considered before implementation. The Comprehensive Planning Process depicted below, showcases our commitment to a Plan that is heavily influenced by our residents.
Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Strategic Areas
The City of Tamarac is proactively addressing key trends that shape how residents live, work, and interact within the community. These trends highlight critical areas for improvement and opportunity as the City evolves to meet the needs of its residents and prepare for the future:
Housing and Transportation Patterns.
With 73.2% of residents living in single-family homes and 78.4% relying on single-occupancy vehicles for travel, Tamarac faces challenges in offering diverse transportation options. Currently, only 0.3% of residents walk, and 0.4% bike for travel. There is a clear need to expand transportation networks, create walkable spaces, and improve access to shopping and entertainment venues to support a more connected and sustainable lifestyle.
Community Safety.
Maintaining safety remains a top priority for Tamarac. With the crime rate ranking in the 5th percentile for safety within the county, significant efforts are needed to uphold and enhance security measures to ensure residents feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
Local Employment and Commercial Opportunities.
A majority of Tamarac residents commute an average of 29.4 minutes for work, with only 3.5% expressing satisfaction with the City’s dining and shopping options. To address this, Tamarac is focusing on developing vibrant economic centers that provide diverse employment opportunities, as well as enhanced dining, shopping, and entertainment options to meet the needs of residents locally.
Technological Innovation.
Emerging technologies are poised to reshape how communities function. Tamarac is committed to adopting a flexible framework that ensures seamless integration of innovative technologies, fostering a future-ready city that can adapt to and leverage these advancements effectively.
How Are We Responding to These Changes?
Tamarac is proactively addressing these trends and other emerging changes to build a thriving, safe, and innovative community that meets the evolving needs of its residents. Our approach is guided by a comprehensive plan structured around six interconnected goals:
• Tamarac is Home
• Tamarac is Safe & People Know It
• Tamarac is Economically Resilient
• Tamarac is Vibrant
• Tamarac is Smart & Connected
• Tamarac is a Dynamic Workplace
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead
USERS GUIDE
As Used by City Staff
The Plan references and builds on the existing plans of City departments and community partners. City staff will consult it when reviewing changes to development ordinances, rezoning requests, and making recommendations for facilities, services, and capital improvements. Department heads will use the Plan to inform the preparation of work plans, budgets, and capital improvement programs.
As Used by the General Public
Residents will be able to refer to the Vision Statement, Goals, Strategies, and illustrative maps for assessing the potential for growth in individual neighborhoods and when addressing a particular proposal or other matter before the City Commission. As a common point of reference, the Plan will foster better discussion of the positive aspects of growth and development as well as concerns about changes to Tamarac.
As Used by Appointed Boards and Committees
Members of appointed boards and committees will be able to use the Plan to carry out their work and mission. Some boards, such as the Zoning Commission and Planning Board, will more regularly consult the Plan for guidance in decision-making.
As Used by City Commission
The City Commission will use the Plan as a guide when making decisions so that the long-term vision for the City is a consistent point of reference.
As Used by Other Agencies and Partners
A wide variety of Tamarac’s partners, including non-profits, businesses, the education community, and nearby county and municipal governments, can use the Plan to identify and implement mutually supportive goals.
As Used by Development Interests
Developers, property owners, builders, and others involved in constructing our City will be able to consult the Plan to develop projects and site plans that consider the larger context, rather than focusing solely on individual sites. The Plan will create a starting point for discussions about issues that will be considered when making decisions about land use changes.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Who lives here is changing.
The City’s number of families and young professionals has been increasing in recent years and the overall population is expected to continue to grow at rates similar to the last decade.
We will have housing challenges.
The average cost of homes in Tamarac is lower than some other regions of Broward County and offers an opportunity for growth. However, as the City is entirely built out, a new emphasis on density will be needed to prepare for the influx of housing demand. The 2024 Broward County Forecast and Allocation Model detailed the growing need for affordable housing options in our City as prices continue to increase.
We have diverse incomes.
We are a City with a large middle-class population and are proud of it. Still, just under 15% of our population makes a low wage and we strive to support better employment opportunities in our City.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Homes are still affordable.
The City has a lower median household income than Broward County but we also enjoy a much lower cost of purchasing a home than other cities nearby. However, there is an affordability gap that has been increasing rapidly in recent years and we plan to mitigate these price increases with home buyers assistance initiatives.
We have a car problem.
The City of Tamarac is largely a car-centric City with over 4/5ths of its residents using a car as their main mode of travel. The number of people using other forms of transportation is very low. This is due to the commuter City ideology of Tamarac that we strive to eliminate. Currently, only about 1300 people live and work in Tamarac, and close to 30,000 people leave Tamarac to work elsewhere.
We have a diverse workforce.
Although many do not both reside and work within Tamarac, our employment types vary across many different industries.
We have to address poverty.
The percentage of people in poverty in our City is on par with national and regional trends but it has been slowly increasing over the last few years.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Community Outreach
During a period spanning four months from May 2023 to August 2023, The Corradino Group collaborated with City officials to organize a series of five (5) public engagement workshops and two (2) supplementary outreach events that informed residents about the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update process.
These gatherings provided a platform for the consultant team to present forward-looking visions for the City, soliciting public feedback on priorities and gaining insights into the community’s challenges and opportunities.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Feedback was gathered from meeting notes, participant surveys, and comment cards. Additional data was collected from community tabling events and VeraVoice interactive mapping software.
5 PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
2 TABLING EVENTS 238 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS
2 TABLING EVENTS
238 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS Public
Public
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
When residents chose a budget.
Residents were each given fake money and asked to place however much money they wanted to each of the budget categories. The highest priority for residents from the results was clear; Economic Development. The following pages depict the finance activity results from the four districts of City of
Residents in the City of Tamarac expressed several requests:
• Enhanced lightning on roadways
• Increased police presence
• Roadway improvements
• More beautification efforts
• Adopt SMART City technologies and concepts
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
3DISTRICT
Community Surveys
Starting in May of 2023, Tamarac residents were asked to complete a survey that centered around questions of livability and the quality of what the residents saw or did not see in Tamarac.
The results of the surveys showcased that overall, the residents have a positive outlook on their lives in Tamarac, but there are many improvements that would increase their quality of life here.
Key Findings from the Surveys:
• Very few residents believe there are job and business opportunities
• The location of Tamarac is a large draw to move here
• Residents do not believe there are enough shopping/dining options
• Most residents prefer the single-family home-dominated landscape that has defined the City but a third of residents also want to see the City become more urban
• The revitalization of old buildings is of high concern to residents and believe that it holds the ability to greatly improve the image of the City
THE VISION
The 2050 Tamarac Comprehensive Plan update expresses the community’s Vision for what it wants to be in 2050 and creates a broad framework of policies for achieving that Vision.
Our Vision Statement
“Tamarac. A multigenerational,
locally
oriented
but regionally connected City
that incorporates SMART
affordable
technologies,
lifestyle
opportunities,
and
living. A City Prepared for the Future. A City for Your Life”
Our Vision expresses what we as a community aspire to be by providing a common connection for making decisions, and acts as a consistent point of reference to manage changes in the future.
The Vision Explained
The City’s has worked with the community to update the guiding strategies that drive the Tamarac 2050 Strategic Plan development and growth.
This required the review of Tamarac’s strategic goals and incorporating abundant reviews from the community. Tamarac 2050 provides the updated roadmap to accomplish the vision.
Delivering on our mission of “Committed to Excellence… Always”, the re-envisioned six (6) strategic goals outline the character of the City’s aspirations where all of our residents, businesses, and community members enjoy a high-quality life.
“Goals are not only absolutely necessary to motivate us. They are essential to really keep us alive” – Robert H. Schuller
Our plan is structured around 6 interconnecting goals:
1. Tamarac is Home - Our City will be a place where jobs, entertainment, shopping, dining, and recreation can all be found within our neighborhoods.
2. Tamarac is Safe & People Know It - Our City will be a place where no resident will have to fear threats of violent crime or dangerous roadways.
3. Tamarac is Economically Resilient - Our City will be a place where innovation and smart technologies fuel a community that is resilient and prosperous.
4. Tamarac is Vibrant - Our City will be a place where our natural environment exists harmoniously within our streetscapes, communities, and commercial centers.
5. Tamarac is Smart & Connected - Our City will be a place where our residents have access to modern and advancing technologies that will be at the forefront of our future planning endeavors.
6. Tamarac is a Dynamic Workplace - Our City will be a place where job opportunities are diverse, plentiful, and have a meaningful impact within our region.
The vision for the City of Tamarac is centered around the creation of a vibrant central town center that serves as a hub for both social and economic activities. This objective is to be realized through the cultivation of varied and quality architectural styles that contribute to a more urban fabric.
The community places a strong emphasis on urban beautification and place-making strategies to preserve and enhance the City’s distinctive identity. There will be a strong emphasis on fostering familyoriented spaces that improve the quality of life while safeguarding that cherished small-town ambiance.
The incorporation of green and open spaces is deemed vital to the City. Revitalization of public corridors, community gathering spaces, and promoting an integrated urban tree canopy will reinforces a sense of place.
The City strives to integrate public art and landscape enhancements into its public spaces, thereby creating an aesthetically pleasing and inviting environment through welcoming and inviting entrances and drives.
This multifaceted approach underscores the City of Tamarac’s unwavering commitment to harmonizing urban development with the preservation of its character.
CHANGES TO OUR LANDSCAPE
CHANGES TO OUR LANDSCAPE
Existing and Future Land Use
To promote the facilitation of our goals, the City has updated its future land uses to reflect the changes that we want to see.
These updates were based off the wishes and wants of the public, current regional trends, and extensive data and analysis. These changes include a vision for a downtown in a more unified city campus, thriving job centers, growing economy, more housing options, while acknowledging environmental impacts and preserving our greenspaces.
The Existing Zoning Map broadly categorizes Tamarac into areas with distinctly different types of development. In Tamarac, unlike in most cities, where development patterns vary based on proximity to the City center, development has occurred around major roadway intersections.
Map 1: Existing Zoning Map 2023
CHANGES TO OUR LANDSCAPE
Like the Existing Zoning Map, the Future Land Use Map breaks Tamarac into very broad types of developmental areas. However, the map highlights what we want to see in the future. These are not intended to be exclusive; it is assumed that there are a variety of uses in each area, but the designation reflects the area’s predominant character.
Map 2: Future Land Use Map 2050
CONCLUSION
The 2050 Plan
The 2050 Comprehensive Plan update for Tamarac outlines a strategic framework to guide the City’s growth and development over the next 10 to 20 years and beyond. As the City evolves, it is crucial to balance increased density, embrace diversity, and preserve the unique sense of place that has made Tamarac a desirable community and destination. Over the past decade, investments in public spaces and infrastructure have laid a strong foundation for Tamarac’s success, resulting in increased investment, national recognition for conservation efforts, and new economic opportunities.
Looking ahead, proactively addressing the increased demand for public infrastructure and services will help to avoid the potential displacement of long-term residents and families requires a comprehensive approach that includes affordable housing, transportation, and workforce development. The physical and policy components of the 2050 Plan will guide Tamarac’s transformation, ensuring that the City continues to build upon its legacy of excellent city-making. The strategies outlined in this plan reflect a collaborative effort, incorporating input from corporate leaders, local institutions, citizen focus groups, and public meetings. By aligning Tamarac’s development with the aspirations of its residents and stakeholders, this plan sets the stage for a prosperous and inclusive future.
