This evening it was announced on social media that Lennar had agreed to reduce the scale of its project from over 111 attached row townhome units to 43 detached single family homes. 

Over a year ago, this group for smart development in West Broward began a campaign against the development of over 111 attached row townhome units on an 11.85 acre site with underlying residential zoning of 3 detached single family homes to the acre.  It didn't take much research to reveal that when the Broward County School Board ("BCSB"), which had not paid $1 in property tax for 23 years on the site, listed the property for auction with beginning bid of $7,925,000, the end result was entirely predictable.  The winning bidder, Lennar, which obtained an option to buy the land for over $10,800,000, sought to build as many attached row town home units as could be fit on the property.  Were it not for all of your support, engagement and action, the project, which received DRC approval, was set to sail through Planning & Zoning review.  And yet, the community woke up to the past abuses heaped upon our roadways by several former councilpersons hell bent on rubber stamping projects that only sought to drain our infrastructure and overly tax our already overburdened police and fire services while eating up our green spaces and creating more traffic gridlock.  The people spoke in our most recent election and through this site and other campaigns such as Save our Acres and your voices were heard.  You supported our campaign which was not an unreasonable one.  We offered real solutions. We offered alternative site plans that were both eco-friendly and hewed far closer to the compact our City made with its citizens which is to remain devoted to the underlying zoning for each undeveloped parcel of property remaining in the City.  The message you sent to the BCSB was that when you don't pay $1 in property taxes for 23 years and seek a bonanza payout disproportionate to the true entitlements underlying the property, you will be held accountable.  And that is precisely what you did.   You spoke truth to power and, from all appearances, you were finally heard by your City.   

These campaigns have awaken many to the power each of you have to hold our elected officials accountable.  Don't ever forget to wield that power whenever you believe decisions are being made in the dark that will adversely effect the environment, our roadways, our children, our homes and our own security.   Kudos to each one of you.   I would be remiss I didn't extend my personal appreciation to all of the homeowner and condominium associations in West Broward who marshaled together to support our campaign. 

I'd like to provide special thanks to the Sierra Club (Suzanne Roberts), Westport Homeowners Association (David Welch and David Brownell), Plantation Acres Homeowners Association (Donna McCormack, Ric Roth, Ted Crespi, Nathaniel Pool, Garry Kravit) and the Hawks Landing POA (Rob Koreman, Robin Robins, Matt Soff, Stuart Kaufman, Ira Lampert, Joannie Cortes) and each of the outstanding and special members living in each of these communities.   Finally, I'd like to thank Lennar and its phenomenal representative, William (Bill) Laystrom for doing the right thing. While we haven't reviewed the new site plan, we look forward to doing so and we hope to provide our full throated support to the project so as to send a message of unity and reasonableness.  

Thank you to all,  DW