Developers to ask for a zoning change in Hallandale Beach

Today, the owners of the Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa in Hallandale
Beach will be asking Broward County officials for a zoning change to
develop a 500-unit hotel plus 950 residences on the beachfront
property. The owners, the Plumbers & Pipefitters National Pension
Fund, are also behind the 998-room Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood,
which is the largest resort complex in Broward County. Hallandale Beach
Mayor Joy Cooper, who at first opposed the plan, now supports the
project as a way to boost the local economy, saying the owners have
adapted plans to address key economic and environmental concerns. The
City Commission approved a zoning change for the land in December by a
3-2 vote, while some fear the project, which will cost over $500
million, will weaken property values.