DATE: June 30, 2008
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager,
Broward County Commission
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org
It will soon be more difficult to convert golf courses into residential developments if state planners approve a land use ordinance passed last week without dissent by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.
The ordinance, sponsored by Commissioners Ken Keechl and Ilene Lieberman, places additional restrictions on changing the land use designations on existing or former golf courses in Broward County.
"We are setting a policy that strongly discourages developers from buying golf courses with the express intention of building homes on these properties," said Commissioner Keechl. "This land use amendment recognizes the value of Broward's golf courses as open spaces, and requires developers to mitigate the loss of that open space as a result of their proposals. Additionally, they have to show us how their developments will fit in with surrounding neighborhoods, and they will finally be required to remedy any environmental contamination on their properties. We are raising the bar," said Commissioner Keechl. "It should have been done years ago."
A study of Broward County golf courses found that there are currently 55 operating golf courses totaling approximately 8,500 acres. In the past few years, nine golf courses have closed, totaling nearly 700 acres. Broward County land use plan amendments have either been approved or are in progress to redevelop four of these courses primarily for residential use.
"This simply sets standards where there were none. So when a land use plan amendment comes in, this sets criteria to address our concerns as we#re seeing golf courses disappear from our community. I support it because I think the right thing to do is to set some criteria. It won#t stop someone from proposing a conversion and it doesn't set a ban on golf course conversions in the future," said Commissioner Lieberman.
The newly approved land use amendments must now be reviewed and agreed to by the state Department of Community Affairs. Implementation of the land use changes is expected by the end of the year.
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