Tamarac Creates New Entity to Oversee Upscale Woodlands Development

Woodlands Country Club {Tamarac Talk}

The Tamarac city commission on Wednesday approved the establishment of a government entity to oversee a new development in the Woodlands community.

The Woodlands Section 9 Community Development District (CDD) will fund and build infrastructure for the planned, upscale community of about 335 single-family homes on a defunct 275-acre golf course. The CDD was proposed by the developer, 13th Floor Homes, as a cheaper, more effective alternative to a homeowner’s association.

The move drew vocal opposition from some residents, who said the CDD would benefit 13th Floor more than Woodlands residents. Other residents supported the move, saying it would save money for homeowners and help sustain property values.

The CDD plan was previously defeated by commissioners in January, with only Mayor Michelle Gomez and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos supporting the move. In two ensuing votes to approve the CDD, one on March 13 and the other on Wednesday, Commissioner Kicia Daniel supported the CDD ordinance and served as the deciding vote.

Commissioners Marlon Bolton and Vice Mayor Morey Wright opposed the ordinance.

Daniel said the CDD will help protect residents in the rest of the Woodlands from being financially impacted by Section 9 costs while also helping the new development’s homebuyers. The Woodlands has around 890 existing homes.

“This is the protection that will keep it from effecting [sections] one through eight,” Daniel said at Wednesday’s meeting. “Now it’s just guaranteed that the Woodlands will look better.”

“I was against [the CDD] until I met with you guys and the CDD attorney and you brought some clarification of the benefits and answered some questions,” Daniel said of 13th Floor.

Several residents at the meeting spoke in opposition to the CDD.

“This is not right. This is not the way a community should be divided up,” said resident William Goffinet.

“You’re just going to destroy the community,” Goffinet said, addressing 13th Floor representatives in the audience.

“The fact that you bought a table at an event celebrating women is not a bribe,” the commissioner said during Wednesday’s meeting, referencing a March 30 event at Woodmont Country Club celebrating achievements by Tamarac women.

The CDD ordinance passed by commissioners Wednesday also approved the selection of five initial members  – all who work for 13th Floor  – to the CDD’s Board of Supervisors. The members are Albani Belandria, Lindsay Rayner, John Lonergan, Landon Massel, and Janet Trump.

In March, commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a plan by 13th Floor to build the new Section 9 development on the southwest corner of Commercial Boulevard and Rock Island Road. Bolton and Wright voted against the project.

As a government entity, the CDD will be able to purchase special bonds financed by its residents with property assessments. The anticipated prices for homes in the community have been estimated at around $800,000 to $1 million each.

The CDD will also organize the funding and construction of community infrastructure that includes a stormwater management system, water distribution system, wastewater collection system, road improvements, open spaces, and landscaping, according to city records.

According to the developer, residents’ financial assessments in Section 9 costs will be included on their annual property tax bills, as opposed to their monthly HOA fees.