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Mayor Sortal's Plantation Update - August 9, 2023

Burtons, affordable housing, cleaning our waterways, mailbox theft and more.

Burtons Grill & Bar

Plans are moving forward for a nice restaurant in the spot that Carrabba’s occupied until a July 6, 2019 explosion. Burtons Grill & Bar, a dining establishment in line with other sit-down restaurants in the city, has received a building permit and hopes to open in January 2024 at Market on University. There are 19 Burtons Grill locations along the east coast, including one in Boca Raton. Officials say their Crab Crusted Haddock, Maxx Burger, steaks, and entrée salads are among their most popular fare. They are also known for being food allergy friendly and their gluten-free menu. Total capacity is about 250, including outdoor dining, which is similarly sized to restaurants such as J. Alexander’s and Kaluz.

Affordable Housing

Our Community Development Grants Administrator, Edlyn Griffith, spoke at the city's Aug. 3 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meeting about the effect of the Live Local Act. The law that provides incentives to developers constructing affordable and workforce housing in Florida took effect on July 1, 2023. The state has provided $100 million for its Hometown Heroes funding. Income-qualified first-time homebuyers can receive up to $25,000 toward a down payment and closing cost assistance, so they can purchase a primary residence in the community in which they work and serve.  Ms.Griffith has also organized a First-time Homebuyers Purchase Assistance Workshop with Consolidated Credit from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Jim Ward Community Center. Register to attend by visiting www.plantation.org/FTHB.

Waterway treatment

Heavy algae bloom associated with extreme heat has been a hot topic of discussion not only in Plantation, but throughout South Florida in the past couple of weeks. We inspected the city's waterways and met with our contractor to provide an action plan to resolve this issue as soon as possible. But this is going to take awhile. For information on the treatment schedule for your community, you can contact the City Engineer Samira Shalan at SShalan@plantation.org or the Stormwater Manager Bill Mulder at BMulder@plantation.org.

Dine Out Lauderdale

Visit Lauderdale’s “Dine Out Lauderdale” program is back for August. Participating Broward restaurants feature a pre-set menu to choose from for a reduced price that includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

Rock & Brews and Padrino's (Ft. Lauderdale location) are on the list.

Go to visitlauderdale.com/Dineout.

Mailbox theft warning

TV stations shared the news of a mail theft bust in Jacaranda Lakes. Officers responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle driving from mailbox to mailbox at 3:30 a.m. Upon being stopped, the officers found more than 200 pieces of stolen mail.

I have four thoughts. First, visit your mailbox before bedtime, at least. Second, consider buying a locking mailbox. Third, deposit outgoing mail as close to the pickup time as possible or bring mail that contains checks inside the post office. Fourth, enter 954-797-2100 in your cell phone and mark it PLANTATION POLICE. Call them if you see anything suspicious (for emergencies, dial 911). They want your call.

Flex

Council and I are committed to protecting the character of our single-family neighborhoods while facilitating economic growth where it makes sense. Administration has been working with our legal counsel and the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Department to ensure that the residential flexibility unit use within the City meets this goal.

Current proposal considers a Unified Flexibility Zone within the City and prohibits the allocation of residential flex units within the Plantation Acres Special Interest District and other single-family residential districts.

I'm eager to codify rules against the use of flex in the Acres and other single-family residential districts. I am interested in rational development of our Midtown District, but I clearly want to assure single-family residents that overdevelopment in their neighborhoods is not on the table.

Important Dates

Events

August 11: The City's first Meteor Shower Viewing Party  will be from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Plantation Preserve Golf Course. The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the brighter meteor showers of the year. Bring your blankets and come sit under the stars.

August 12: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Plantation Public Works Compound (750 NW 91st Ave.). This event is open to the City of Plantation and City of Sunrise residents free of charge, with proof of residency. You can view a list of items on the Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection webpage.

Meetings

August 9: The CRA meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with the City Council meeting following immediately after it, both taking place at City Hall.

August 15: The Planning & Zoning Board starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall.