History of Weston
The 15,000 acres of land now comprising the City of Weston was first amassed in the 1950’s by a gentleman named Arthur Vining Davis, the original owner of Weston’s primary developer, ARVIDA. Over the course of the ensuing years, plans were prepared as to how the land would be developed and how that development would be financed, and the area now known as Bonaventure was sold to be developed separately.
The development was originally known as Indian Trace, and in 1978 with the first of what would be many development plans complete, the Indian Trace Development of Regional Impact (DRI) was approved, which permitted in excess of 25,000 dwelling units to be constructed, although subsequent amendments reduced that number to 17,000. Shortly thereafter, in 1981, the Indian Trace Community Development District was created for the purpose of financing and managing the construction, maintenance and operation of water and sewer mains, water management bodies, and arterial roadways, and was governed by a five-member developer appointed Board of Supervisors.
The name of the Arvida development was changed from Indian Trace to Weston, and in 1984 the first homes were completed in Windmill Ranch and Country Isles, and Weston had its first residents.
In November 1991, with over 5,000 residents in Weston, and with the Indian Trace Development District ten years old, it was now time for residents to be elected to three of the five seats on the Board of Supervisors. In November 1993, residents were elected to the remaining two seats on the Board of Supervisors, giving residents full control of the district.
Seeing Weston develop into what was appearing to be a self-sustainable community, the Board of Supervisors initiated an Incorporation Feasibility Study in April 1994 to determine if Weston should incorporate as a city, annex to a neighboring city, or remain as a part of unincorporated Broward County. In May 1995 the Board appointed a ten member Steering Committee to study the incorporation issue that was comprised of residents and consultants. In addition to the Steering Committee, the Board solicited Requests for Proposals from the neighboring municipalities of Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Sunrise to see if there were any benefits of Weston annexing to another city.
By November 1995 the Steering Committee and the Board of Supervisors arrived at the conclusion that the residents of Weston would be best served by forming a new city, as the tax dollars generated by the residents would remain in Weston under the control of and for the use of the residents, and planning and zoning matters would be determined by residents as well. The Board voted unanimously to file a Local Bill with the Broward Legislative Delegation to enable the residents of the Indian Trace Community Development District to vote on incorporation, and on May 5, 1996 the State Legislature approved the Bill.
On September 3, 1996 the residents of the Indian Trace Community Development district went to the polls, and of those voting, 90% voted in favor of incorporation. The City of Weston was born.
As a part of the Local Bill, the Bonaventure community was afforded the opportunity to vote on April 1, 1997 whether to become a part of the City of Weston, or the City of Sunrise, the result of which was to join Weston by an almost two to one margin.
Weston’s residents returned to the polls on June 3, 1997 to elect their first Mayor and City Commissioners. In July the City Commission hired the City’s first City Manager, and in October moved into the first City Hall in leased space at the Weston Corporate Center.
THE INDIAN TRACE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
The Indian Trace Development District is a dependent district of the City of Weston, meaning that the governing body of the district is the same as that of the City Commission. The boundaries of the District are the same as the City of Weston with the exception of the Bonaventure community. The purpose of the District is to finance and manage the construction, maintenance, and operation of the water and sewer mains, water management bodies, and arterial roadways.
With all of its construction obligations completed, the district concentrates its efforts on debt service of its bond obligations, and operating and maintaining its infrastructure. Revenues are generated through annual assessments appearing on property owner’s tax bills. Only residents of the Indian Trace Development District receive assessments from and are responsible for payments to the District.
THE BONAVENTURE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
The Bonaventure Development is a dependent district of the City of Weston, meaning that the governing body of the district is the same as that of the City Commission. The boundaries of the District are limited to the area known as Bonaventure. The purpose of the district is to finance and manage the construction, maintenance, and operation of the improvements within the Bonaventure Master Plan, and the responsibilities and obligations of and the purchase of the Keep Bonaventure Beautiful Corporation.
Revenues are generated through annual assessments appearing on property owner’s tax bills. Only residents of the Bonaventure Development District receive assessments from and are responsible for payments to the District.
