Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO DESIGNATION OF URBAN WILDERNESS AREAS; AMENDING SECTIONS 25½-38,
25½-73, 25½-83, AND 25½-88 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE") TO ADD ADDITIONAL LANDS TO FOUR (4) PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED URBAN WILDERNESS AREAS; CREATING ARTICLES XVI THROUGH XXV OF CHAPTER 25½ OF THE CODE TO DESIGNATE TEN (10) URBAN WILDERNESS AREAS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
body
Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of January 28, 2020.
What Action Accomplishes
Amends the Broward County Code of Ordinances to add additional lands to four (4) previously designated Urban Wilderness Areas and to designate ten (10) additional sites as Urban Wilderness Areas.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION AND URBAN WILDERNESS ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Commission Value: Encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, and environmental protection; specifically, the goal to seek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting, the use of alternative energy, resource conservation, sustainable practices, and environmental protection. Designating a site as an Urban Wilderness Area allows natural areas to be permanently preserved and protected, furthering conservation of vital environmental resources in Broward County.
The intent and purpose of the establishment of the Urban Wilderness Park System is to designate permanent wilderness preserves that are protected from incompatible human activity. These areas are managed in a manner to protect and enhance their basic natural quality for public enjoyment and utilization.
Broward County has obtained additional parcels adjacent to four (4) previously designated Urban Wilderness Areas. Amendments are being proposed to include these additional parcels in the Secret Woods Wilderness Area, Hillsboro Pineland Wilderness Area, Sheridan Street Wilderness Area, and Miramar Pineland Wilderness Area.
The ten (10) sites being proposed for designation as Urban Wilderness Areas are: Carpenter House Wilderness Area, Crescent Trail Wilderness Area, Deerfield Highlands Wilderness Area, Helene Klein Wilderness Area, Herman and Dorothy Shooster Wilderness Area, Highlands Scrub Wilderness Area, Pine Island Ridge Additions I and II Wilderness Area, Sands Parcel Wilderness Area, Saw Palmetto Wilderness Area, and West Creek Wilderness Area.
Thirteen (13) sites totaling 667.56 acres have previously been designated as Urban Wilderness Areas by the Board of County Commissioners. The proposed sites and additional parcels comprise a combined total of 213.69 acres that, if approved, would bring the total acreage of designated Urban Wilderness Areas to 881.25. The Broward County Urban Wilderness Advisory Board recommends that these sites and additional parcels be designated as Urban Wilderness Areas, and staff have developed management plans for each of the sites proposed for designation or addition to the Urban Wilderness Park System. Broward County owns each of the proposed sites and additional parcels.
Source of Additional Information
Michael C. Owens, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.