AGENDA ITEM REPORT
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* NORTH BROWARD PREPARATORY SCHOOL ARTS & INNOVATION CENTER (AIC) AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (ECC) SITE PLAN EXPANSION: A SITE PLAN APPLICATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 56,500 SQUARE FEET OF ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL AND PERFORMANCE SPACE LOCATED AT 7600 LYONS ROAD. (QUASI-JUDICIAL)(PUBLIC HEARING)
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BACKGROUND:
The applicant, Christina Bilenki, Miskel Backman, LLP, on behalf of North Broward Preparatory School (NBPS), is requesting Site Plan approval for approximately 56,500 square feet of additional instructional and performance space on the existing school campus.
Application and Site Information
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Application No.: |
PZ-25110002 |
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Applicant/Agent: |
Christina Bilenki, Miskel Backman, LLP, on behalf of North Broward Preparatory School |
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Property Owner: |
BMOC-MIA (FL), LLC |
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Location: |
7600 Lyons Road |
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Folio No.: |
474232110010 |
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Abbr. Legal Description: |
NORTH BROWARD SCHOOL REPLAT 183-103 B PARCEL A LESS POR OF SECTIONS31-47-42 & 32-47-42,ALSO BEING A POR OF PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 45-54 OF PBCR DESC AS:COMM NW COR PAR A OF PLAT 163-19 BCR,W 322.52,S 210.37 TO POB,S 15,W 275.94,N 15 ,E 275.81 TO POB AS DESC IN INS# 114597786 BCR, TRACT B1,TRACT B2 TOG WITH MARBLE HEAD SUBDIVISION SEC 1 165-49 B LOTS 1-10 & VAC R/W PER RESOLUTION 2004-176 OR 37187/1861 |
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Net Area of Property: |
+/- 70.66 acres |
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Existing Use: |
Private School: Pre-K through 12 |
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Zoning: |
Community Facility (CF) |
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Future Land Use: |
Residential Estate 1 (E1) |
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Plat Restriction: |
Parcel A-1 is restricted to 275,000 square feet of Private School levels Pre-K through 12 and 290 dormitory rooms. The dormitories are for students exclusively attending the North Broward Preparatory School campus. Parcel A-2 is restricted to a fence, gate, landscaping and private roadway. |
DISCUSSION:
The proposed expansion includes three (3) buildings totaling approximately 56,500 square feet and is intended to support NBPS’ initiative to accommodate projected increases in student enrollment while enhancing campus facilities. This will help maintain the school’s high standard of educational quality. The expansion area, referred to as the Arts & Innovation and Early Childhood Center (AIC & ECC), is located along the southern border of the campus adjacent to NW 74 Street. A large portion of the site is currently vacant, while the remaining is a parking area used for campus parking.
The site plan was designed to be compatible and sensitive to the existing character along NW 74 Street, by incorporating enhanced setbacks from NW 74 Street and considering landscape conditions. Typically, during new construction and landscape review, invasive species and trees in poor condition are removed. However, because this area contains dense naturalistic and organic plant material, the removal of invasive species may leave portions of the buffer feeling visually sparse, creating a noticeable contrast between existing and future conditions. To address this, the applicant has agreed to continue to work with the Resilient Design and Development Department following the removal of invasive species to ensure adequate density and opacity are restored within the buffer. The AIC & ECC buildings are proposed entirely outside of the existing Broward County conservation easement. The applicant has coordinated with the Broward County Public Works and Environmental Services Department to ensure the project will not negatively impact the conservation easement.
The site plan incorporates several campus-enhancing features, including a dedicated drop-off lane, ninety-two (92) additional parking spaces, and a series of open play and gathering areas throughout the AIC & ECC grounds, complemented by a solar flower sculpture that serves as both an educational tool and internal artistic focal point.
The three (3) proposed buildings further advance NBPS’ academic vision:
• Building 1000, at approximately 7,700 square feet, will house dedicated STEAM instructional and lab spaces for photography, film, aviation, and robotics.
• Building 1100, the largest building at approximately 26,500 square feet, will function as the new Performance Building with an approximately 300-seat performing arts venue, dance and theater studios, and administrative offices. The venue will host school-sponsored performances and be available for use by local and community groups. The applicant has committed that the venue will not be used for large-scale concerts, shows, or similar high-intensity events.
• Building 1200, an approximately 22,200 square foot Early Childhood Center, is designed specifically for Pre-K and Kindergarten students tailored to early learning.
In addition to the proposed site plan, the applicant has committed to several off-site transportation improvements to ensure adequate traffic circulation as student enrollment is projected to increase. These include pavement markings and median reconfigurations on Lyons Road, subject to coordination with other reviewing and permitting agencies.
To offset displaced parking during construction, the applicant submitted a separate administrative site plan for two (2) temporary parking lots: one (1) gravel lot on the southwest side of campus and another located over three (3) existing tennis courts at the northern end. The temporary lots were approved through the Administrative Approval process, with conditions requiring enhanced buffering and landscaping along abutting residential property lines to maintain appropriate screening and compatibility. Both temporary lots will be removed upon completion of the AIC & ECC.
Public Involvement
As part of the application review process, the applicant held a community meeting on February 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at NBPS to present the project and provide an opportunity for questions or comments. Members of the public attended the meeting. The community meeting summary and presentation materials have been included in the backup for this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on its review, staff finds that the proposed request, subject to the recommended conditions, is consistent with the Site Plan and Aesthetic Design Review requirements in Sections 13-548 and 13-37, respectively, of the Land Development Code, and with the applicable goals, objectives, and policies of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommends approval of the site plan application, subject to the following conditions:
1. Total school student enrollment shall not exceed 2,400 students.
2. Commencing on April 15, 2027, and occurring annually thereafter, the applicant must submit a School Operations Plan to the City of Coconut Creek Resilient Design and Development Department, outlining detailed operational procedures for arrival and dismissal for the upcoming school year. The School Operations Plan shall include the following:
a. Anticipated enrollment numbers for each component of the school (Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, etc.).
b. Arrival and dismissal times for the school campus and the approximate number of students arriving and departing during each arrival and dismissal shift.
c. Diagram(s) depicting vehicular circulation routes within the campus for arrival and dismissal.
d. Approximate number of buses, the approximate number of students riding buses to and from school, and the number of high school students permitted to drive and park onsite.
e. Approximate number of residential students enrolled for the upcoming school year.
Following submittal of the School Operations Plan, the applicant must attend a minimum of one (1) meeting with City staff to review the plan, discuss and evaluate vehicular and pedestrian circulation within the campus and, if necessary, identify any recommended changes to school operations or vehicular circulation patterns. This meeting shall take place at least one (1) month prior to the commencement of fall classes for the school.
3. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the first building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion, the following shall occur as it relates to all off-site roadway improvements assigned to Lyons Road:
a. “Do not Block” signage and striping at the following intersections shall be completed, inspected, and accepted:
i. Lyons Road & South School Driveway
ii. Lyons Road & NW 74 Street
iii. Lyons Road & NW 71 Street
b. Permitting submittal to all applicable reviewing agencies for the extension of southbound left-turn lane on Lyons Road by approximately 350 feet at the school’s north site driveway. This condition is subject to permit approval from Broward County, Palm Beach County, and any other required permitting/approval agencies, and is further subject to the ability to construct this improvement on the existing Hillsboro Canal bridge without requiring significant structural reinforcement or replacement of the existing bridge.
c. Permitting submittal to all applicable reviewing agencies for the extension of the southbound left-turn lane on Lyons Road turn lane by approximately 200 feet at the school’s south driveway. This improvement includes eliminating the northbound-to-southbound U-turn lane aligned with the school’s north driveway and channelizing the median to prohibit westbound-to-southbound left turns from the school’s north driveway. This condition is subject to permit approval from Broward County and any other required permitting/approval agencies.
4. Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the final building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion, the following off-site improvements shall be completed, inspected, and accepted:
a. Extension of the southbound left-turn lane on Lyons Road by approximately 350 feet at the north driveway, subject to permit approval from Broward County, Palm Beach County, and any other required permitting/approval agencies, and subject to the ability to construct the improvement on the existing Hillsboro Canal bridge without requiring significant structural reinforcement or replacement of the existing bridge.
b. Extension of the southbound left-turn lane on Lyons Road by approximately 200 feet at the south driveway, included the elimination of the northbound-to-southbound U-turn lane aligned with the school’s north driveway and channelization of the median to prohibit westbound-to-southbound left turns out of the school’s north driveway. This condition is subject to permit approval from Broward County and any other required agencies.
5. Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the first building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion, the applicant shall record, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, a 15-foot right of way dedication along NW 74 Street in the Broward County Official Public Records.
6. Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the first building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion, the applicant shall construct a sidewalk along NW 74 Street, connecting the proposed sidewalk at 4211 NW 74 Street to the existing driveway on the NBPS property and a crosswalk connection across NW 74 Street to Oak Trails Park.
7. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for the first building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion, the applicant shall install a six-foot high opaque fence along the southern property line of Temporary Parking Lot 1, located behind the proposed landscape buffer. Windscreens or other similar materials shall not satisfy the opacity requirement.
8. Following the removal of all invasive plant species within the area between NW 74 Street and the project site, the applicant shall work with City staff to ensure that appropriate understory plant material is provided along NW 74 Street at eye level. All plantings shall be designed in a naturalistic and organic arrangement consistent with the existing natural environment, including proposed species selection. Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the first building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion, the final installation shall be completed, inspected, and accepted.
9. All outstanding DRC comments shall remain in effect throughout the development review process and must be fully addressed prior to issuance of building permits, or as otherwise stated therein, for the first building of the Arts and Innovation Center and Early Childhood Center expansion.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A