County commissioners delayed a vote on Hollywood’s controversial high-rise project Tuesday until they return from their summer break in August.

Commissioner Beam Furr, whose district includes Hollywood, said a county vote was likely moot now that Hollywood commissioners have approved a plan to use the state’s Live Local Act to move the project along.

An amendment to the state’s Live Local Act expected to take effect July 1 would allow developers to build workforce housing on government land.

Related Group plans to build a luxury condo tower with workforce housing apartments on city-owned land at 1301 S. Ocean Drive.

An earlier plan called for 111 luxury condo residences. But under Live Local, the developer plans to build 126 condos and 86 rental apartments.

On Tuesday, Furr requested an environmental review of the site since it’s located in a priority planning area for sea-level rise.

Commissioner Steve Geller suggested Furr touch base with the developer to see whether the original plan for 111 condos might still be on the table.

Sticking with the original plan is still a bad idea, according to Cat Uden, a Hollywood activist who has helped lead the charge against the project.

“It’s going to set a dangerous precedent,” Uden said after the meeting. “The land was not meant for private residential. The land was meant for the community. They do not need to build on public land.”

Keith Poliakoff, attorney for the developer, had a different take.

“The county realizes it has 100% lost the ability to control this project and is trying to work out a deal,” he said.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan

Article Link: Broward County delays vote on controversial Live Local project in Hollywood
Author: SUSANNAH BRYAN