[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6510753,"mediaKeyId","5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300","parentId",5353763,"title","Margate residents urge commission to block five-story development planned for Carolina Golf Course","audioSeconds",915,"startMs",1137000,"endMs",2052000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300&start=1137&end=2052","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300/thumbnail_1137000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510753/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/Margate-residents-urge-commission-to-block-five-story-development-planned-for-Carolina-Golf-Course","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510753-74ae952288241df69c925ca856432e48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176169&Signature=gqDBZcZqEJEwhCSLBkwZdo6-8sXTIutaBmFwV6KmbIWdigMHJi4gBtpGo62fwutNCN1NcXgF2zX2hEoa2AuCM1rUcrHUoAmniTlfrGbQ8jXSm2kJRRciI7pm9nF69E5SGq6KlH55fnxhw627jbTIZEZkfXpCPApKph6G84dDxEKW0Ci3SVRNkFAQp0uHMaMRzkqE1HWnsXqolAF1LAqmNY7awOIY5xeY7R~NEs~QqCviYQSOyT3-7fVe~eTpQS7zm1vsmJLnJkvo1zYKHOKDfzmElx~Ppb9FEXaa964aeKwD7LvuomgZz7fCkqSMz-FJW6FiabxhnrtRQXL4LbxQ3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Margate","date","2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","article","Several Margate residents used the July 9 public comment period to urge the City Commission to prevent a proposed multi-story residential development on the Carolina Golf Course.

Richard Eddins, who said he lives near the golf course and moved to Margate in 1989, told the commission he had heard planning meetings and a DRC review were under way and that an applicant was discussing a five-story residential community on the golf course. \"I was hoping to learn something,\" Eddins said. He warned the proposed buildings could cast long shadows on nearby homes, increase traffic on Rock Island Road and depress property values for longtime homeowners.

Commissioners and city staff said the proposal had not come before the commission and that a development application was pending. A staff member told the commission the city\u0000s office would research the issue and report back, but cautioned that a pending application carries risks and potential liabilities and that staff would need to assess options. \"There is a development application pending, so that brings in certain risks and potential liabilities. But we will certainly research it,\" a staff member said.

Commissioner Casciano expressed personal support for preserving the golf course and asked that the mayor and staff explore a resolution or other steps to keep the property recreational; staff said they would investigate legal and policy options and speak individually with commissioners who raised concerns.

No formal action was taken on the development during the July 9 meeting. Staff said they would research what steps the city could take to preserve the golf course and report back to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Margate - 7/9/25 Regular City Commission Meeting - Jul 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents during public comment urged the commission to oppose a proposed five-story residential development on the Carolina Golf Course; city staff said a development application is pending and staff will research options.","taxTitle","Margate, Broward County, Florida","taxId",5088,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510757,"Margate commission advances code-enforcement changes to magistrate process in first reading",506,5589000,6095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300&start=5589&end=6095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300/thumbnail_5589000.jpg","/articles/6510757/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/Margate-commission-advances-code-enforcement-changes-to-magistrate-process-in-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510757-a049859517e9b2f8e8d64c3a8fa90464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176169&Signature=WhNcwpNEmmZjMb97v9xtDoWx1KnjwPi7cec~jxMmIQ-aIePebtco7W8TYpMYlj12olmIvbnsFdXDBC8MnFIYnjbU8wz4PW97N5oax6EfkHLUrID8E2J~1bGZeHzWEHskCuw9SrdlwJernRA58WGrA8zwmJ2p33ykw8mS8oqwHBe3qP6ncDEreOHH6LhecPO0w7ff4NqXqhTcD09T7HmQHoMYRqRdEK3iuWQgdWIH6-RAoG9XYLXxJZ2-fOxxtYiKtI0m3-5vOSbu2Gx2bkfVN~m4Jsc2HHAnIeHZzrOJ1nGs50oeK~tovzJ5rFSG7nH1N8~F-Ru9QWWUioPAK8-exw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of Margate on July 9 approved on first reading an ordinance that amends the city code enforcement procedures and penalties, including changes designed to streamline magistrate hearings and allow immediate fines where appropriate.

City Attorney David Tolson and staff described the ordinance as an update to the code enforcement process intended to reduce repeat hearings and speed compliance. Tolson said the change will allow a magistrate to impose a compliance period and immediate penalties so that violators need not return for multiple hearings.

Residents raised concerns about potential penalties in the amended code. At least one public commenter, Rich Zucchini, questioned a provision that referenced up to 60 days in jail for code violations and urged that severe matters continue to come before the commission rather than a magistrate. City counsel clarified that only a judge, not a magistrate, can impose jail sentences and that the city\u0000s ability to add fines to utility bills is governed by state law. \"The Florida statutes do not allow the city to put the fines on a water bill,\" the city attorney said during the meeting.

Staff noted the city had recently collected more than $62,000 from a recorded code lien on a foreclosed property after pursuing excess proceeds; staff said improved collection and lien work were reasons to update enforcement tools.

The ordinance passed first reading on a unanimous roll call. It will return for a second public hearing and final vote at the next scheduled reading.","On first reading, the commission approved changes intended to streamline code enforcement hearings and penalties, drawing questions about jail penalties and collection procedures.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510761,"City tables front-yard parking ordinance after hours of public comment; workshop planned",4350,6127000,10477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300&start=6127&end=10477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300/thumbnail_6127000.jpg","/articles/6510761/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/City-tables-front-yard-parking-ordinance-after-hours-of-public-comment-workshop-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510761-6f1a2abd911af0a92394cfd182e5aaac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176169&Signature=PeSlP8-zp0jAhIsb4cJ35EpDqFJfSE7onwF2-LZnQTFXzm18lelS87HqQ0XPFx0dzOLryUxbCoO6vDboBD~Oj3tKo8e4mZ8Wp2p4tl1GnlO7vupN7jie9oYLP9FBw5Qv66MFJX121LUrm7PpWe-6feuPWVI08NxA10HKmQnmPgQldtpmc-sup7X~C~h5MD1ZWR5uhkmI6nJqw5NMZvcaUCj625miKi6E8XiOah9dBjVwVQCVvO2Cp46Jyiy~hZI9MaE81ksLUhTptE1QTwL2gPka1DGxzc2TsRUenn3lYzuObschLrII3V-SNTt1l1vpBqHOrPQMXOul-5CQ5AnvgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of Margate on July 9 tabled consideration of a proposed ordinance that would prohibit parking vehicles in the front yard of residential properties, sending the item to a workshop for further study.

The ordinance would remove an existing exception that currently allows parking on the front lawns of single-family and two-family dwellings and would prohibit parking on grass, landscaped areas and drive aisles except in limited, defined locations. Staff said the revision was drafted to bring Margate closer to the parking rules used in many other Broward County municipalities.

Andrew Penny, the city\u0000s senior planner, walked the commission through examples and Google Street View photos showing cars parked on lawns and swales. \"Under this proposed ordinance, any vehicle on the grass would not be parked lawfully,\" Penny said. He said the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval 2-1 but suggested the commission consider alternative driveway materials for residents unable to pay for full driveway expansions.

Vice Mayor Serio and other commissioners said they supported addressing front-yard parking but asked for a neighborhood-sensitive approach. Serio said many Margate homes are older, have narrow lots or sidewalks that reduce available driveway width, and the city should first pursue targeted enforcement against the worst offenders such as oversized commercial equipment and rental abuses. \"I think we should be going after other eyesores first,\" he said.

Public comment filled more than an hour. Residents described competing priorities: some urged a full ban to preserve neighborhood appearance and property values; others said parking restrictions would disproportionately harm lower-income residents, multigenerational households and renters who lack space to expand driveways. Several speakers proposed intermediate steps: allow alternate permeable surfacing (pavers or gravel), permit limited swale parking in certain streets without curbs, create community parking or permit programs for recreational vehicles, or pursue stricter enforcement of existing rules on commercial vehicles and unregistered cars.

Rich Zucchini, a resident active in neighborhood discussions, urged limiting swale parking because those areas belong to the city and are damaged by vehicle traffic. \"Parking on the swale should not be allowed, period,\" Zucchini said. Another commenter, Natalia Escobar, urged compassion for households sharing space for economic reasons and warned against enforcement that would further strain low-income families.

After extended discussion the commission voted unanimously to table the item and direct staff to schedule a workshop (commission members discussed an October timeframe) to consider neighborhood-specific rules, alternative paving options, a permit program and enforcement priorities. The motion to table passed on a roll call vote in which every commissioner voted \"yes.\"","The City Commission delayed a decision on a proposed ordinance to ban front-yard parking across Margate after extensive public testimony, directing staff to hold a workshop to refine options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6510766,"Margate commission approves $111,000 settlement to finish Fire Station 58 construction",2625,2941000,5566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300&start=2941&end=5566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353763-618533503059fc80d317fc5084fe8300/thumbnail_2941000.jpg","/articles/6510766/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/Margate-commission-approves-111000-settlement-to-finish-Fire-Station-58-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510766-23ea86163e526ca9d3f95b07ff9f5beb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176169&Signature=HOKutx-0b5ipeI1DDPs9RAfoUxj~9qn8oye1cUxDF0XExEpBjb2OX-SDcktDgBa1QfPHqIwlI7AENw98j2p23EPXiSy8QPLhz-Oop8dQcL8pCY~1GIfNplSN1Z9VRBbsW1lZ~3IK6qp7n3DMjjsXl8jgWXIXj6LDrMsfhUK5iYOVNsrpD8rSNUp0ttHnVuUs5grF~EPCJ1iEk3UQkL29Qj3hcVCK9n-i9JD1WFpHUJ2od2hGms~0uE6hDEYZxz8iyBaZPk8KGGmBhPs3s4asRWb9v5tORaPvTa~4vTSDKHevXyKtNZZd5ADDHiuyBxF43hGhIFiaVO2~520EPgHc7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of Margate on July 9 approved a settlement with Siska Construction Services, LLC to resolve claims tied to construction of Fire Station 58, authorizing payment discussed at the meeting of $111,000 to the contractor.

The settlement resolves a dispute that began after the contractor sought roughly $370,000 for cost increases and delay-related charges. City litigation counsel and outside negotiators told the commission the proposed settlement was a business decision intended to finish the station and avoid higher litigation costs.

City litigation partner Eric Hockman, who handled negotiations for the city\u0000s outside law firm, told commissioners that construction disputes of this type can involve large expert and deposition costs and that a trial could cost the city far more than the settlement. \"Sometimes we say we're going to fight out of principle...and then when they lose the bill really is tough to take,\" Hockman said during the meeting.

Commissioner Anthony Rosano argued against approving the settlement, saying a contract is a contract and worrying that the city was setting a bad precedent for future contractors. \"A contract is a contract. You give a price, that's the price,\" Rosano said. Commissioner Simone said she supported settlement after receiving advice from the city's litigation attorneys that continued litigation posed greater financial risk. \"When litigation attorneys tell me it is in the best interest of the city to settle, who am I without their knowledge to argue with them?\" Simone said.

City staff said the settlement followed two years of negotiations and mediation and was reached in part to ensure firefighters could move out of temporary trailers and into the completed station. Project staff and the city\u0000s attorneys said they reserved the city\u0000s rights while permitting completion of the work.

The commission voted on the motion to approve the settlement: Commissioners Casciano and Simone and Mayor Schwartz voted \"yes.\" Commissioners Rosano and Vice Mayor Serio voted \"no.\" The motion carried 3-2.

The commission also discussed contract clauses raised during the debate, including an equitable-adjustment clause (identified at the meeting as section 8.2.4 in the construction contract) and force majeure language. Hockman warned those clauses and case law can create litigation risk because courts sometimes award relief in construction cases despite contractual conditions.

Commissioners asked staff to review current city contract language and procurement templates to see if changes are advisable going forward. City staff said they would report back to the commission on contract language and procurement practices.

Mayor Schwartz said the city\u0000s priority was completion of the fire station. \"This provides certainty; we're talking about less than a 2% increase in the contract amount,\" she said during the discussion.

The commission approved the settlement under Resolution 6A at the July 9 meeting.","After two years of negotiations over cost increases and delays, the City Commission voted 3-2 to approve a settlement with the contractor Siska Construction Services, LLC to complete Margate Fire Station 58, avoiding protracted litigation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Margate residents urge commission to block five-story development planned for Carolina Golf Course

Margate commission advances code-enforcement changes to magistrate process in first reading

City tables front-yard parking ordinance after hours of public comment; workshop planned

Margate commission approves $111,000 settlement to finish Fire Station 58 construction