Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Beam Furr
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance, for the Board’s later consideration, amending Chapter 39 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances ("Zoning Code") to increase the permitted height of landfills in an A-6 Agricultural Disposal District to up to 325 feet. (Vice-Mayor Furr)
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Why Action is Necessary
Board direction is required for the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending the Zoning Code.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides the required direction to the Office of the County Attorney.
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
The Monarch Hill landfill ("Landfill") is located on the south side of Wiles Road/Northwest 48th Street, between Powerline Road and the Florida Turnpike in the Broward Municipal Services District ("BMSD"). The portion of the property dedicated to active landfill use is currently zoned A-6 Agricultural-Disposal District under the County Zoning Code. Section 39-464(6) of the Zoning Code limits the height of a landfill within an A-6 District to one hundred twenty-five (125) feet above adjacent ground level. Through a series of variances obtained for the property, the current permitted height of the Landfill is two hundred twenty-five (225) feet above adjacent ground level with three to one slopes, as defined in Chapter 62-701 of the Florida Administrative Code.
At its current permitted height and footprint, Waste Management Inc. of Florida indicates that the Landfill has approximately eight (8) or nine (9) years of capacity remaining (assuming the current disposal rate, which could be significantly impacted by events such as a significant hurricane). An increase to the permitted height of the Landfill would extend the capacity and the useful life of the Landfill, thereby (i) allowing transportation costs to remain lower for specific waste types by potentially obviating the need to haul waste outside of the County, and (ii) providing additional, intermediate-term disposal options for consideration by Broward County and the newly established Solid Waste Disposal & Recyclables Materials Processing Authority of Broward County, Florida, while long term waste processing and disposal solutions are being studied and developed.
This item directs the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance enabling the Board to later consider amending the Zoning Code to allow an increase in the permitted height of a landfill in an A-6 Agricultural-Disposal District to up to three hundred twenty five (325) feet. The increased height would apply to the Landfill and any other landfill(s) zoned A-6 Agricultural-Disposal District.
The Board will be considering proposed Land Use Plan amendments in August or September 2024, that, if approved, would increase landfill capacity by enabling the landfill to expand onto an adjacent 24.2-acre parcel formerly used as a waste-to-energy plant. The intent of this motion to direct is for the proposed Ordinance addressed herein to be available for consideration by the Board on the same day the Board considers the Land Use Plan amendments, since those amendments and the proposed Ordinance all address landfill capacity.
Source of Additional Information
Clay Miller, Legislative Director, Commission District 6, 954-357-7006
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
To be determined by the Office of Management and Budget upon presentation of a draft Ordinance.