TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Cale Curtis, City Manager
DATE: June 3, 2026
Title
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 40 - LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, ARTICLE 2 - DEFINITIONS, SECTION 40.201 AND ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION, DIVISION 2 - APPLICATIONS, REVIEW PROCEDURES AND PUBLIC NOTICE, SECTION 40.307 RESERVED; OF THE CITY OF MARGATE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR A PROCESS FOR THE GRANTING OF A SPECIAL WAIVER FOR CERTAIN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Body
BACKGROUND:
At the January 21, 2026 City Commission meeting, the City Commission directed staff to prepare this
ordinance. This ordinance creates a new "Special Waiver" process within the City of Margate Land
Development Code. The process allows the City Commission to approve limited relief from certain
development code requirements when strict application of the code would create a burdensome hardship
or produce a result inconsistent with the City's development goals.
Purpose
The ordinance is intended to provide flexibility for unique development projects while still protecting
surrounding neighborhoods and ensuring consistency with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Key Features
* Applies only in conjunction with a site plan or site plan amendment application.
* Requests are reviewed by the Development Review Committee (DRC) and then considered by the City Commission at a public hearing.
* The City Commission may:
o Approve,
o Approve with conditions,
o Deny,
o Defer, or
o Request additional review.
* The Commission may impose conditions related to:
o Landscaping,
o Building design,
o Traffic access,
o Lighting,
o Hours of operation,
o Environmental mitigation, and similar site-specific issues.
* Approvals expire after 12 months if permits are not obtained or the project does not move forward, unless an extension is granted.
Review Standards
The C...
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