CORAL SPRINGS, FL — Coral Springs commissioners approved a package of land-use items tied to a proposed Life Time fitness facility near Heron Bay, backed a Broward County solid waste agreement, and continued a temporary vehicle storage request from Coral Springs Auto Mall during a June 17 City Commission meeting.
The meeting included several public hearings, contract approvals, housing-related grants, fee schedule changes, and public comments about traffic, waste disposal, accessibility, and license plate reader cameras.
Life Time Project Moves Forward Near Heron Bay
Commissioners unanimously approved several items tied to the Life Time project planned for about 13.11 acres north of Heron Bay Boulevard and west of Coral Ridge Drive.
The approvals included Ordinance 2026-106, a future land use map amendment from Moderate Residential to Commercial; Ordinance 2026-107, rezoning the property from Golf Course to Community Business; Resolution 2026-022, allocating 9.82 acres of commercial flexibility in Flex Zone 29; and a special exception related to parking interior landscape requirements.
City staff said the proposed facility includes an 86,700-square-foot building and 590 parking spaces. Staff said the applicant also proposed additional landscaping, bicycle racks, sidewalk connections, and a $200,000 contribution for intersection improvements on Heron Bay Boulevard.
Several Heron Bay residents raised concerns about traffic, noise, and the impact on homes near the project, particularly around the pool area. Residents also asked the city to reconsider the timing of a post-opening traffic review.
The applicant said Life Time expects to open in the first half of 2028, pending permitting and development review. The applicant also agreed to add about 50 feet of additional six-foot masonry wall wrapping around the pool deck area to address neighborhood noise concerns.
Commissioners said they wanted a follow-up traffic review after the facility opens, with discussion focused on a six-month timeline rather than waiting a full year.
Solid Waste Amendment Approved
Commissioners also unanimously approved the First Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement for the Solid Waste Disposal and Recyclable Materials Processing Authority of Broward County.
The item was moved up in the agenda after public comment. Multiple speakers urged the city to support the regional solid waste plan, citing landfill capacity, recycling, long-term disposal costs, and the need for countywide cooperation.
City staff said the amendment is contingent on a future Second Amendment returning to the commission. Sam May, executive director of the Solid Waste Authority, told commissioners the cost would be based on tonnage beginning in 2028 and estimated at $2.22 per ton. He said a household generating two tons would see about $4.44 per year.
Commissioners also discussed the late Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer's work on the Solid Waste Authority and asked that she be honored through the process.
Auto Mall Parking Request Continued
The commission did not approve the Coral Springs Auto Mall temporary parking request as originally presented.
The agenda item involved a special exception modification for temporary storage of 350 vehicles at Coral Square Mall, located at 9469 W. Atlantic Boulevard. City staff said the request before the city involved additional temporary storage while the Auto Mall works toward a garage expansion.
After discussion, commissioners continued the item for 60 days. The continuation was conditioned on the Auto Mall submitting preliminary site plans to the city’s development department within 45 days.
Commissioners said they wanted to see progress toward the garage expansion before allowing the matter to move further.
Housing, Sidewalk And Park Funding Items Approved
Commissioners approved the city’s Community Development Block Grant FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan.
City staff said Coral Springs has participated as an entitlement city since 2000 and has allocated more than $21 million in CDBG funds to projects. Proposed FY 2026-2027 projects include home repair assistance, youth and senior scholarships, fencing and lighting at Mullins Park, and planning and administration.
City Manager Catherine Givens later said more than $77,000 would support senior recreation, wellness, and therapeutic programming, while approximately $420,000 would go toward Mullins Park fencing and lighting improvements.
Commissioners also approved an amendment to the city’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership Local Housing Assistance Plan to update the rental assistance strategy.
A separate public hearing item approved a three-foot sidewalk easement at 12375 W. Sample Road, tied to an eight-foot-wide sidewalk along part of Segment 5 of the Everglades Loop.
Fee Schedule, Bonds And Contracts
Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-018, updating the city’s administrative and user fee schedule for building, development services, fire, parks and recreation, engineering, and Center for the Arts fees.
Staff said some fees had not been studied in about a decade. The proposal also increased the nonprofit discount from 10% to 25% and included a 40% facility-use discount for Broward County Public Schools in Coral Springs.
The commission also approved Resolution 2026-015, authorizing Special Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2026. Staff said the city issued $18.46 million in special obligation bonds for the municipal complex in 2016 and can now refund the debt for projected savings. Staff said the savings could be about $200,000 per year over the remaining term, depending on the competitive sale.
Other approvals included a five-year renewal for external audit services with RSM US, LLP for an estimated $722,600; an increase in the annual fencing contract amount from $400,000 to $650,000 for Mullins Park work; and a $510,277 Joint Information Center truck funded through a federal Urban Area Security Initiative grant.
Public Comment Included Camera Concerns
During public comment, a Coral Springs resident asked commissioners to review the city’s use of Flock license plate reader cameras, saying he was concerned about surveillance and vehicle tracking.
Commissioner McHugh later said the cameras have helped law enforcement identify fugitives, homicide suspects, stolen vehicles, and missing persons.
The city’s next regular commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 9 a.m.
Zoning requests, land use changes, site plans, and development applications are covered through Boca Post’s Coral Springs Government reporting.
