Lakes of Carolina includes 30,000 square feet of commercial. {Lakes of Carolina}
The Lakes of Carolina project continues to move forward.
At the September 2 meeting, the commission approved two ordinances important to the project. The first provides for a land-use plan amendment to the Margate comprehensive plan to permit a change in land use from commercial recreation to residential, commercial, and park development.
The other ordinance amended the land development code and the city’s official zoning map to rezone the property at 3011 North Rock Island Road. This presentation followed a review by Broward County.
Rosemurgy Properties, the applicant on behalf of J & D Golf Properties, the property owner, presented its goals for the Lakes of Carolina. The land occupies the site of the old Carolina Golf Club and the closed McDivot’s Restaurant, which will be demolished, according to Mayor Antonio Arserio.
There will be a maximum of 540 residential units on Pods B and C and 24,800 square feet of commercial development permitted on Pod A. Commercial square footage may be converted to residential units, and 67 acres will be permanently preserved as recreation space.
Required amenities include trails, pocket parks, dog stations, and exercise stations. City information states that the open-space improvements must be maintained in perpetuity.
This follows meetings with residents and surrounding community associations, as well as feedback from city commissioners who voted to advance the project.
The development team revised the conceptual master plan to address concerns related to compatibility, density, and buffering. These revisions include eliminating multifamily apartments from the project, reducing residential density, committing to height restrictions, reducing commercial intensity, and providing landscape buffers and open space connectivity.
According to the city, resident input has shaped the plan and will continue to guide refinements as the project moves forward.
Arserio added this was the best deal possible for the city and that some residents who had fought the development supported the project. Instead of a large apartment project, the plan includes townhomes and extensive open space.
Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano said he was disappointed by his fellow commissioners’ decision, did not like the proposal, and noted that many of the items promised to the city were withdrawn.
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