Historic Preservation Ordinance Amendment
The Broward County Historic Preservation Board (HPB) wants to ensure that historic and archaeological resources are protected from inappropriate development, demolition, and destruction and would like to recommend to the County Commission amendments to Chapter 5, Article XVII, of the Broward County Code of Ordinances ("Ordinance"). The County Ordinance specifically includes regulations related to development, demolition, and destruction, providing for a Certificate of Appropriateness and a Certificate to Dig.
Current Ordinance
The Ordinance is currently applicable to 14 municipalities and the Broward Municipal Services District (formerly Unincorporated Broward). These jurisdictions receive technical assistance and professional services from the County’s Historic Preservation Officer, a Consultant Archaeologist, Administrative Staff, as well as the HPB. The other 17 municipalities have their own local historic preservation ordinance. Currently, there are no minimum standards for the local municipal programs. The HPB is concerned that historic and archaeological resources may be lost in parts of the County where local programs have insufficient regulations and resources to protect and preserve historic and archaeological sites.
The following municipalities meet the minimum standards as part of the Broward Certified Local Government (CLG) program:
- Coconut Creek
- Cooper City
- Hillsboro Beach
- Lauderhill
- Lazy Lake
- Margate
- North Lauderdale
- Pembroke Park
- Pembroke Pines
- Sea Ranch Lakes
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
- West Park
- Broward Municipal Services District
These municipalities also meet the minimum standards as local CLGs:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Oakland Park
- Pompano Beach
CLG program ordinances must include provisions for designating historic buildings and sites, as well as permitting for alteration to historic buildings and disturbing archaeological sites. These requirements ensure that a CLG's historic preservation program is robust, professionally administered, and supported by a qualified board.
Recommendation
The proposed amendment language seeks to modify the effective area of the Ordinance by establishing minimum standards for municipalities that enact their own historic preservation ordinances. The HPB would like to recommend that the County Ordinance be amended to ensure the remaining municipalities attain CLG status from the State of Florida, within a reasonable timeframe, and those that do not attain CLG status be part of the County’s CLG Program and receive technical assistance with historic preservation permitting and development review.
Outreach to Municipalities
The HPB hosted a Public Workshop last summer (June 15th) to obtain feedback from municipalities on the proposed amendment. The County is seeking additional feedback from the League of Cities and the Broward City County Managers Association.
See below information about the proposed amendment:
For questions or more information please contact us at 954-357-6634. You may also email your comments to
Rick Ferrer, Historic Preservation Officer.
