Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting - June 10, 2025

The Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered a broad range of topics including a legislative update from state representatives, board appointments, a consent agenda with several items removed for separate discussion, a major presentation on the Government Campus Redevelopment partnership opportunity, quasi-judicial hearings for a development at 900 Broken Sound Parkway, and the introduction of three ordinances. The meeting lasted approximately 3 hours and 1 minute, adjourning at 9:01 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with a 5-0 vote after removing two items: Item 9F (Resolution No. 83-2025, establishing a parking meter zone at beach parks) and Item 9D (Resolution No. 81-2025, rejecting a FLUEDRA recommendation). Item 9F was removed by Mayor Singer due to public misunderstanding and to allow staff to provide more information. Item 9D was removed by Council Member Thomson for separate consideration.
• Item 9K (Resolution No. 84-2025, merchant services agreement with Bank of America) was added and later approved as Item 10B.
• The remaining consent items (A through J except D and F) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 9D – FLUEDRA Resolution (Resolution 81-2025): Hope Calhoun, attorney for the property owner (NE 32nd Street LLC), argued that the special magistrate’s recommendation should be adopted, stating the city’s code enforcement order unreasonably burdened the property. William Swain, the managing member, described a decade-long history of permit delays and litigation, asking to be treated like any other property owner.
• Item 10A – Government Campus Redevelopment: Several residents spoke both in support and opposition. Judy Morrow presented petitions (404 signatures) to keep tennis downtown, highlighting the health benefits of tennis for active seniors. John Pearlman raised concerns about the lack of public financial terms and the potential need for a sale of public land, citing the city code requirement for an ordinance and appraisal. Other speakers criticized the process, density, traffic, loss of recreation, and urged the council to listen to residents. Some speakers also expressed support for the plan, citing the need for a modern, walkable downtown.
• Public Requests: Lynn Newberry and Jimmy Moscoso spoke in favor of a proposed skate park at North Park and against a proposed development on a 2.1-acre preserve at Military Trail and Lennox (associated with later ordinance introduction). Dennis Forgeon, an arborist, urged preserving the mature green space. Carlos Truerda also opposed the development, citing traffic and safety concerns.

Discussion Items

• Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity (Item 10A): Deputy Senior Manager Misty Lucasick presented the interim master plan, requesting council approval of the development program uses, intensities, and general layout. He emphasized that this was a non-binding milestone, not a development order. Council members debated the plan’s density, traffic, recreation, and financial terms. Mayor Singer, Deputy Mayor Nachlas, Council Members Drucker and Wigder expressed support, noting that the plan was the least dense of all proposals, would enhance recreation (including new fields and tennis courts), and provided significant economic value. Council Member Thomson opposed, citing unanswered questions about phasing, parking, financing, and the use of public land for condominiums. He suggested a bond as an alternative. The council voted 4-1 to approve the interim master plan, with Thomson dissenting.
• Resolution 81-2025 (FLUEDRA): After discussion, the council voted 4-1 to adopt the resolution rejecting the special magistrate’s recommendation. Council Member Thomson voted no, suggesting a possible executive session to explore global resolution of related litigation. The city attorney noted that rejection does not affect pending court cases.
• Quasi-Judicial Hearings – 900 Broken Sound PMD/CIMD (Items 11A1 and 11A2): Senior Planner Owen Devlin presented the proposal to amend the master plan and site plan to construct a 7-story, 289-unit multifamily residential building with 10% affordable (29 units) and 5% workforce (15 units) housing, plus a parking structure and a technical deviation for a driveway reservoir. The Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval 7-0. No public speakers came forward. Council members praised the use of the workforce housing ordinance. Both resolutions (78-2025 and 79-2025) were adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Board Appointments: The Historic Preservation Board saw the reappointment of Elaine DiCostanzo as the Boca Raton Historical Society designee, and the appointment of Dr. Susan Schultz and reappointment of Mr. Graves to at-large seats after a roll call vote. The Permitting and Construction Review Board received no applicants; the electrical engineer position remains vacant.
• Legislative Update: Senators Tina Polsky and Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman provided an update on the state budget, pending projects for Boca Raton (including Spanish River Boulevard grade separation, drinking water improvements), and bills passed or killed, including preemption bills, fentanyl awareness, and condo reform. They also presented a Senate proclamation recognizing Boca Raton’s centennial.
• City Manager Reports: The biennial review of the General Employees’ Pension Plan benefits was announced, with results expected in the FY2025-26 budget process.
• City Attorney Reports: Authorization was granted to schedule an executive session regarding two pending circuit court cases styled NE 32nd Street LLC v. City of Boca Raton (fill permit and clearing permit cases).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved: 5-0, with removal of items 9F and 9D.
• Resolution 81-2025 (FLUEDRA) Adopted: 4-1, rejecting the special magistrate’s recommendation.
• Government Campus Interim Master Plan Approved: 4-1, authorizing staff to proceed with the partnership with Terra/Frisbee.
• Resolution 78-2025 (PMD Master Plan Amendment) Approved: 5-0.
• Resolution 79-2025 (CIMD Site Plan and Technical Deviation) Approved: 5-0.
• Resolution 84-2025 (Bank of America Merchant Services) Approved: 5-0.
• Board Appointments: Elaine DiCostanzo reappointed to Historic Preservation Board; Dr. Susan Schultz and Mr. Graves appointed to at-large seats.
• Ordinances Introduced: Ordinance No. 5735 (office conversion in DDRI subareas D and G), Ordinance No. 5736 (Yamato Crossing drive-through restaurant), and Ordinance No. 5737 (One Town Center Preserve FLUM amendment) were introduced for first reading.
• Executive Session Authorized: Unanimous authorization to schedule closed session on two pending litigation cases.