[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6564765,"mediaKeyId","3271309-47f00fa96235f385c5c9401d5f082801","parentId",3271309,"title","Tamarac presents 2040 comprehensive plan update; commission to hear transmittal presentation Wednesday","audioSeconds",913,"startMs",3066000,"endMs",3979000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3271309-47f00fa96235f385c5c9401d5f082801&start=3066&end=3979","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3271309-47f00fa96235f385c5c9401d5f082801/thumbnail_3066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564765/Tamarac/Broward-County/Florida/Tamarac-presents-2040-comprehensive-plan-update-commission-to-hear-transmittal-presentation-Wednesday","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564765-b111557bcf8981cb5faa9a1b338608be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434357&Signature=iVfp~rWK-4qhDalQ-aQ013uMTQbYB5SvLoGORTovyV5OEtZjlAeFcr-Xl-8qkroZfexr-MrEZKyPIdZObR6sVk8E4MJ66yU8IAP8myae-LM7L4qmo~ECCCckwbwFeLZ8MTmM-jpfUQ3fPlDf~GvnpwKw1yxTMax36e-yV3VxBNXfurcB9vfHiLHoKjvgH0Jhs1pl6fmiFlhmKFWww-4FULfxJjOxHDA23ZFf8FbADoFxvBXVhE5WgvV4wUafAOXDHN8cEfDvjQP1M7-nIneeXGXuVf8gdKe-bQjaeEKnooJiNc2EYw6hisRSWm7KGU4uuwiGcBy~55x0kGgf74wHSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tamarac","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented a draft update to the Tamarac Comprehensive Plan on May 12, describing new policy chapters and a strategy to concentrate future development along major corridors rather than in single‑family neighborhoods.

\"This is our long awaited, comprehensive plan,\" Deputy City Manager Maxine Callaway said during the agenda review session. Callaway and staff described the plan as a policy and implementation document to guide growth through 2040, align the city with Broward County planning (Broward Next) and make the city more competitive for future grant opportunities.

Why it matters: Florida law requires municipalities to maintain comprehensive plans that guide future land use, infrastructure and capital improvements. Callaway said the proposed plan updates reflect recent demographic shifts in Tamarac, aim to preserve single‑family neighborhood character while directing density to corridors such as University Drive, McNab and Commercial Boulevard (U.S. 441), and introduce new implementation and urban design chapters to support execution and placemaking.

Key changes described

Plan structure and new elements: Staff said the draft is organized in two volumes — policy goals, objectives and policies (Volume 1) and data inventory and analysis (Volume 2). The update adds an implementation element that assigns responsibilities, priorities and timelines and an urban design element intended to guide the physical character of corridors and support walkability and placemaking.

Targeted growth approach: Callaway said the city is largely built out and staff recommends concentrating future growth on major corridors and near transit hubs. The plan also retains required elements for future land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, conservation, recreation and intergovernmental coordination, while updating the economic development and housing elements to respond to an identified deficit in market‑rate and attainable housing.

Public engagement and process

Callaway summarized a public engagement program that started in 2023, including district‑style community meetings and other outreach. Staff will present the draft to the commission Wednesday in a transmittal hearing; the city will then transmit the draft to state and regional review agencies (including Broward County, the Water Management District and the Florida Department of State). Reviewing agencies have 30 days to comment; staff expects agency comments will be addressed by the consultant and returned to the commission for adoption either before the summer recess in July or shortly after in August.

Staff emphasized legal alignment and timing

Callaway outlined statutory context, referencing the 1985 Growth Management Act and the Community Planning Act (2011), and said the plan must be consistent with county and state requirements. She noted the plan covers a 15–20 year horizon and is intended to make Tamarac eligible and competitive for infrastructure and capital improvement grants by demonstrating capacity and priorities.

Ending

Commissioners thanked staff for the multi‑year effort and public engagement. Callaway said the consultant (Cordena Group) will give the formal presentation at Wednesday's meeting, at which commissioners and the public can offer comments before the plan is transmitted for formal agency review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tamarac - Workshop - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff introduced a revised Tamarac 2040 Comprehensive Plan that targets future growth to major corridors, adds implementation and urban design elements, and will be transmitted to state and regional review following the transmittal hearing.","taxTitle","Tamarac, Broward County, Florida","taxId",8839,"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},6564769,"Tamarac proposes $3 million in incentives to revive commercial plazas and help small businesses",1760,339000,2099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3271309-47f00fa96235f385c5c9401d5f082801&start=339&end=2099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3271309-47f00fa96235f385c5c9401d5f082801/thumbnail_339000.jpg","/articles/6564769/Tamarac/Broward-County/Florida/Tamarac-proposes-3-million-in-incentives-to-revive-commercial-plazas-and-help-small-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564769-232c0cdbafd9e1260897ccde834d8965/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434357&Signature=Z6Dn7z29ZlbMFp-bpMNPDEI8QF5w7wWqBYmfydVMBZKJSWJl41E0Wb6DuEq9fOcDjMLo5TFyvjQDQC9Swga12lFsigncyrudpI0RB4R8aiPnmw5Kb7Z~KzXjnL~Y3-Yp47-p7MoCmmNWYiv8sLj2dCyxMSOUcxwWlhfTTmdh4uPguXky~g8t~vNJsrHN~IE7d19EJ3PDVlksQaSA7LhnCnJS6PufcEF2vCiulREJDWgG-CF1aojDRyE7LKtJMmFx6ov19b2mAWqXpCuNWksUxPQVasVhFIF1BS46LRhztFHTVG9ibCGn6d3D5uR~8vuWIY6gK~IFgRroC9rkF-O-SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Tamarac is proposing a $3 million economic development incentives package aimed at restoring aging commercial plazas, reimbursing tenant build-outs and distributing microgrants to small businesses, Kenneth Lopez, economic development administrator, told the commission at the May 12 agenda review meeting.

Lopez said the package would be spread across multiple programs: a Commercial Plaza Recovery program, a Small Business Microgrant program, an expanded Commercial Façade Grant program and a Tenant Improvement/Interior Build‑out grant. \"The mission of the economic development office is to foster the economic resilience, sustainability and comprehensive revitalization of the City of Tamarac through effective pro‑growth, business friendly development policies and programs,\" Lopez said.

Why it matters: City staff said many shopping plazas in Tamarac are outdated or out of compliance with code and that targeted incentives could restore properties, attract destination businesses and direct contract work to local minority-, women- and small‑owned firms. The commission will review the formal proposal Wednesday; the presentation on Monday served as an introduction and a public discussion ahead of the commission decision.

Program details presented

Commercial Plaza Recovery: Staff described a program that pairs an initial consultation with plaza owners, a city‑approved timeline and paused fines while the approved remediation plan is implemented. Lopez described a tiered set of incentives: Tier 1 can include fine reductions for completing work on schedule; Tier 2 offers partial reimbursement tied to use of local minority/women‑owned businesses (examples given: 20% local spend reimbursed up to $5,000; full utilization eligible for 50% reimbursement up to $10,000); Tier 3 is an additional $5,000 commercial property improvement grant through Community Development. Lopez said one plaza owner may use the reimbursement once per calendar year per plaza and that the program will not run concurrently with the city's existing commercial façade program.

Small Business Microgrant: The city proposes a microgrant program modeled on Broward County's pilot. Eligible Tamarac businesses with a Tamarac business tax receipt would be able to apply for grants intended to reimburse eligible expenses up to $2,500. The program would prioritize restaurants and firms in target industries identified by Broward County's Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (including aviation/aerospace, life sciences, logistics and technology) when funds are limited.

Commercial Façade Grant: Staff proposed increasing façade grant awards and described tiered maximum awards by parcel size: up to $350,000 for properties 4 acres or less, $550,000 for 4–9 acres and $750,000 for parcels over 9 acres. Because the program is a 50% reimbursement, Lopez noted a plaza seeking a $350,000 award would be expected to contribute an equivalent amount toward the total project cost.

Tenant Improvement / Interior Build‑out Grant: Lopez described a 1:1 matching reimbursement for permanent interior improvements, with city reimbursement up to $100,000 per project. Eligible improvements include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, ADA and life‑safety upgrades intended to reduce tenant build‑out costs and improve the long‑term marketability of spaces.

Funding and estimated impacts

Lopez presented a proposed allocation for fiscal 2025–2027: $100,000 for Commercial Plaza Recovery (aimed at 10 plazas), $250,000 for the Small Business Microgrant (targeting roughly 100 businesses at $2,500 each), $1,500,000 for expanded façade grants and $1,150,000 for tenant improvement grants. Staff estimated an economic impact in the range of $1.1 million to $1.29 million in local spending returned to Tamarac businesses, though staff cautioned estimates vary with project uptake.

Public questions and staff responses

Several members of the public asked how the $3 million would be funded and whether the funds were grants applied for externally. City staff and the director of financial services said the proposed allocation would come from the city's general fund and that the package is a city‑funded grant program to be administered by municipal staff rather than an externally applied grant. \"This grant is not something that we're applying for. This is a grant program that we're preparing for…the city is putting together to give away,\" the city manager said during public comment responses. Dean Cahus, director of financial services, said a prior economic development reserve had been created and that the 2025 budget replenished the city's economic development reserve.

Concerns and next steps

Public commenters raised questions about eligibility exclusions (for example, businesses that primarily sell alcohol or provide adult entertainment) and urged staff to consider case‑by‑case evaluations. Lopez said the eligibility list was modeled on Broward County's approach and that the city would provide guidance and an online application portal. He also said staff plans to create a Tamarac‑specific vendor directory but will use Broward County's small business directory initially. The commission will receive the formal program and a recommendation at the regular meeting on Wednesday for deliberation and a potential vote.

Ending

Staff emphasized that awards would be subject to funding availability, commission approval and program guidelines. If the commission approves the plan, staff said it will proceed to finalize program rules, launch an online application portal and pursue outreach to plaza owners and local firms.","City staff presented a proposed $3 million economic development incentives package that would fund plaza recovery, microgrants for small businesses, expanded façade grants and tenant interior build-out grants; the commission will consider the program at a formal meeting Wednesday.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tamarac presents 2040 comprehensive plan update; commission to hear transmittal presentation Wednesday

Tamarac proposes $3 million in incentives to revive commercial plazas and help small businesses