Transit Village Approved Despite School Board Opposition

A zoning change requested by a group of Miami-based developers would allow development of a proposed transit-oriented development containing 1,600 residential units in high-rises and townhouses, a 150-room hotel and 300,000 square feet of office and retail space, with a Tri-Rail passenger station as a central feature. The project would eliminate a nearby trailer park, displacing 190 families.

Preliminary approval for the rezoning was granted by Hollywood's Planning and Zoning Board, despite opposition from the Broward County School Board. School Board estimates show the proposal generating 119 students, including 72 new students for the critically crowded Oakridge Elementary School.

Planners say the goal is to absorb the area's booming population, because the city can't spread out any further. Opponents argue that the proposal will further aggravate traffic and school crowding.

"People don't ride the train here. If you think people are going to move here because of a train, you are being misled," said civic activist Howard Sher.