Hallandale Beach

Not Diplomatic

Residents rage against Diplomat Country Club’s future condo project

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

The Hallandale Beach City Commission deferred a vote Feb. 6 on whether to allow the construction of condominiums within the Diplomat Country Club, but that didn’t stop several residents from voicing objections to the project.

Neighbors complained that plans by Diplomat Properties LLC to build 1,050 residential units, including condominium towers, next to the Diplomat Golf Course would bring increased traffic to the area, put pressure on local schools, exacerbate water shortages and lower property values.

“These buildings will take away everybody’s sunshine,” said Csaba Kulin, who lives on 14th Avenue. He accused the developers of trying to push the hearing date into the summer, when many people will be out of town.

Mayor Joy Cooper explained that the developers had requested a deferral at the last minute because the city’s Planning and Zoning Board recommended denying the project. She said the developers wanted to modify their plans before going before the commission. The item will be discussed at the April 16 commission meeting.

“We heard you loud and clear,” Cooper said, after listening to nine neighbors speak against the proposed development.

After the meeting, Cooper said she was not in favor of the project because so many residents objected to it and it would grant the developers land-use privileges that the site does not currently have.

The area slated for development is sandwiched between Atlantic Shores Boulevard and East Hallandale Beach Boulevard. Northeast 14th Avenue and Diplomat Parkway run along either side. Dozens of neighbors who live along these streets attended the commission meeting. One of them was Sam Rosenberg, who said the city needs to address water shortage problems and wait for the housing market crisis to blow over before approving a project of this type.

“I see so many foreclosures,” Rosenberg said. “I would vote for [the project], except I feel this is not the time for it.”

Commissioner Keith London said any approval of the project would take at least 18 months. If the commission gives the go-ahead at the next meeting, the plans would still need to be approved by Broward County officials and then go back to Hallandale Beach for a second vote, City Manager Mike Good said.

“It is a very lengthy process and the community is very much involved in it,” assured Good.

However, some residents complained that they had not received notices sent out by the developers about meetings to discuss the project. These include two community meetings with developers at the country club and one with the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

Catherine Kim Owens, a Realtor and Hallandale Beach resident, said she talked to many people living near the Diplomat, including those living in Hollywood. “Half the people aren’t even aware of these meetings,” she said.

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