Heads Up: Landfill and Turnpike Expansions

Landfill (Monarch Hill)

Updated February 26, 2025

Waste Management Seeks to Increase Landfill Height & Size

On February 25, 2025 Broward County Commissioner approved Waste Management (WM) two significant expansions to the Monarch Hill landfill that will extend its use for approximately 16 additional years.

• The first expansion is a County Land Use Plan Amendment (LUPA) that will convert the decommissioned waste-to-energy facility at the landfill to additional landfill space.  The approval of the amendment went against Broward Planning staff recommendations as it is not consistent with Broward County policies.
• The second is a zoning change to the County's A-6 Zoning District that gives Waste Management, by right, the ability to increase the height to 325 feet. The landfill was approved for a maximum height of 225 feet and required a variance approval to increase the height.

As a result, the City intends to file suit against the Broward County Board of Commissioners. 

City staff covered this topic in detail at an Ambassador meeting which is available for review at the following link here. 

Submit a Landfill Complaint

Turnpike Expansion

There are several projects under design that all relate to Florida’s Turnpike, the Sawgrass Expressway, and the interchange of the two roads. These projects are broken into several different projects, but all have concerning impacts on the City of Coconut Creek.

With regard to Turnpike, the project study for the mainline Turnpike is nearing completion and the City's concerns have not been addressed.  The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, held Public Hearings for the Turnpike expansion project for the section from Atlantic to Wiles Road. The project website, Turnpike595toWiles.com, has transcripts for the hearings.  Staff attended to voice the City’s concerns, and many residents were also in attendance.

The City has major concerns that we have submitted to the Turnpike.  Our concerns include:  the Turnpike’s insistence that the road project needs to shift to the west; the need for ten lanes when traffic volumes only warrant an 8-lane cross-section; the placement and height of the noise walls; and non-receipt of the amended plans from the Turnpike. The City will continue to seek commitments from the Turnpike related to these important issues.  Please continue to stay involved and share your concerns as we develop a plan of action.

People wishing to submit written or verbal comments/questions may do so at the hearing or may contact the project manager, Jazlyn Heywood, P.E., via email at Jazlyn.Heywood@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at (407) 264-3298.