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Strategic planning, License plate readers, New landscaping and more.
Last year, my administration coordinated the first strategic planning retreat with the City Council and Department Directors. The result is Plantation’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan that outlines our collaborative vision and priorities for the city.
Strategy is not a one-and-done kind of thing. While implementation is underway, my thinking is that we continue to study how we can make the city better for our residents. New concerns emerge and we have to be flexible.
So on Feb. 12, we will be meeting with the City Council and department heads again to discuss whether any updates are needed to the plan, what we should prioritize for funding and how to measure if we’re moving in the right direction.
My priorities are:
- Move our masterplans and study recommendations forward so we can meet resident expectations for City services;
- Support development that’s right for Plantation (bring good businesses and affordable housing, while preserving the quality of existing single-family neighborhoods)
- Build on the progress we’ve made with expanding our communication with the community.
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When Plantation General closed down, we were concerned about the economic impact of the closure, especially to our Gateway district. We commissioned an Urban Land Institute study to identify how we can move forward in redeveloping the Gateway and supporting its existing businesses. This process helped us establish a relationship and communication with HCA, the hospital’s parent organization, who assured us that they intend to maintain their presence in Plantation.
On Wednesday, City Council approved a site plan for an almost 11,000 square feet free-standing emergency room. It will be located in the currently vacant parking lot and staffed by emergency physicians 24/7.
Most residents want to know what will happen to the existing hospital building. HCA is saying that they do not intend to sell the site and, eventually, the building would be demolished with the area demands dictating what would be done there.
On Jan. 10, the City Council approved a zoning waiver and use variance to facilitate the opening of Toi Spa Academy, 9739 Broward Blvd. (That’s in the same plaza that contains Vivace Italian Restaurant and Cocktail Bar.)
Toi Spa has opened a new salon location in Plantation Walk with a ribbon-cutting in late 2023 and is looking to transition the original space into a beauty school.
Beauty school has a higher parking requirement. Based on the applicant’s study submitted to our Planning and Zoning Department, there is still plenty of parking for students. Classes will be staggered, with no more than 20 students attending at any one time. Documents show they will teach waxing, facials and nails.
They cited the need for technicians. Two other similar schools in Plantation are the Paul Mitchell at Broward Mall and Florida Barber Academy at Westgate Shopping Center on State Road 7.
There are about 10 Toi Spas in South Florida. Go to ToiSpas.com.
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We are planning to expand our use of license plate readers (LPR), which made their debut about a year ago throughout the Gateway District.
Although relatively new, the LPR system has already assisted in the apprehension of dangerous felons, the location of missing persons, and the recovery of stolen property. The readers detects stolen vehicles, missing persons and wanted criminals and sends real time alerts to police officers in the area. (Surprisingly, once a car is stolen the thieves often drive it en route to committing more crimes.)
The police have methodology for placing the plate readers. Our next plans are for the Midtown District, then the rest of the city.
Several bidders have submitted proposals for improvements to Seminole Park and Jack Carter Harmony Park.
We are now evaluating the bids. Once the lowest responsible and responsive bidder is determined, recommendation will be submitted for City Council approval at a future meeting, we’re hoping very soon. (They vet all major expenditures.) The prior procurement process did not render results that were in the best interest of the City, so we decided to start over. We don’t love the delay it caused, but it does happen.
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We will install new playground equipment, rubberized safety flooring, a shade structure covering the new playground unit and a four foot perimeter fence to secure the area. We will also have an ADA accessible walkway to the playground.
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City Council discussed the potential courses of action to address missed trash pickups. Waste Management (WM), our solid waste hauler, has provided a plan to improve services, but we were still concerned. Council determined to institute administrative fees against WM (where allowed by the contract) at this time with further discussion down the road if situation does not improve.
To kick off the New Year 2024, the Jacaranda Master Association has completed landscaping and uplighting for the entrance at the main waterfall feature.
The new display is located at the corner of Central Park Place and Broward Boulevard, a spot traveled by those in 14 sub-communities of Jacaranda.
I celebrated on Jan. 11 with residents and the board via a ribbon-cutting.
Back in the 1980s the main waterfall feature was the most beautiful part in the city of Plantation, residents say. President John H. Cleary of Gulfstream Land and Development Company, who purchased 5,400 acres back in 1964, was attempting to mirror the elegance of Coral Gables and people even had their wedding ceremonies on the triangular island.
Events
January 19: Movies in the Park at Volunteer Park featuring Barbie. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and sit together with friends and family. Snacks are available for sale (cash only). Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and movie starts at dark. For more information or questions call (954) 452-2510.
Every Saturday: Farmers Market at Volunteer Park. This year-round market runs from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. To be a vendor at the farmers market, please visit: https://www.farmersmarketfl.com/contact-us
January 27: Gain valuable insights at the free, in-person First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Workshop with Consolidated Credit from 10 a.m. to noon at Jim Ward Community Center.
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Meetings
January 18: Midtown Advisory Board at 10 a.m. and Special Magistrate - Code Enforcement at 1 p.m. at City Hall.
January 22: Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Board at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
January 24: CRA and City Council at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
View all upcoming 2024 meetings and events by visiting Plantation.org/Calendar.
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