Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting Summary – October 27, 2025
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Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting Summary – October 27, 2025
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a regular meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 1:30 PM in the Auditorium at 6500 N. Congress Avenue. The meeting was brief, lasting approximately 35 minutes, and featured a director’s report on downtown mobility projects followed by public comments on several pending developments, traffic safety, and the Brightline.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of October 14, 2025: Approved unanimously without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pam Pashkey (341 SW 2nd St) opposed the proposed redevelopment at Camino Real and Third Avenue, arguing the original approval included low-rise retail and that the new plan for eight-story apartments and a seven-story parking garage is incompatible with the surrounding two-story residential neighborhood. She noted traffic concerns and characterized the proposal as a “monstrosity.”
- Les Wilson (649 SW 14th St) presented detailed concerns about pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure around Camino Square, highlighting dangerous crossings, high-speed turn lanes, and encroaching hedges. He argued the existing six-foot sidewalks and un-signalized right-turn lanes are inadequate.
- John Perlman (498 NE A St) criticized the Brightline, citing an Atlantic article calling it the deadliest passenger railroad in the U.S. He disputed claims that most fatalities are suicides, noting authorities determined none of the 41 deaths in 2024 were self-inflicted. He also raised financial concerns, including a missed $1.2 billion bond payment and a BB- rating, and opposed using taxpayer funds for a $7 million East platform and the Brightline station as the “centerpiece” of the government campus project.
- Marianne Halash (owner of Boca Grand Condominium, 233 S Federal Hwy) asked for an update on the hotel/garage project she had seen in workshops and requested a pedestrian bridge over Dixie Highway to access Mizner Park from the Brightline station.
- Mike Liebelson (398 NE 3rd Ct) opposed the Terra Frisbee TOC (Transit-Oriented Corridor) project, claiming it was initiated without proper council discussion, lacks an independent appraisal, and relies on a 99-year benefit projection that masks billions in lost property tax revenue. He cited 9,000 petitions and urged delaying work until after a March 10 vote.
- Jonathan Unj (6501 Congress Ave) warned against the city acting as a builder, citing a $1 million roof repair at City Hall. He advocated for private development partnerships and reallocating funds to serious emergencies, referencing flooding at the Boca Resort.
Discussion Items
- Director’s Report – Mobility Update (presented by Zach Beer, Public Works & Engineering Director):
- Boca Connect: Since launch in June 2024, ridership has increased incrementally, and average wait times have been kept under 10 minutes as required by City Council.
- Autonomous Shuttle (Kaident/Mika): Testing began in Mizner Park on a small loop after a 16-month collaboration with local company Kaident. The federal NITSA permit was obtained. Future expansion is planned to connect north (Mizner) and south (Royal Palm Place) downtown areas.
- East Palmetto Park Road: Intersection safety improvements at Federal Highway are underway in coordination with FDOT. A warrant study is being conducted for a pedestrian crossing at First Avenue (connecting to Sanborn). The new in-road warning lights at crosswalks (4th generation, amber) are button-activated; staff are exploring LIDAR/radar motion activation.
- Quick Build Projects: A protected intersection (possibly the first in Palm Beach County) has been installed at 7th Street and Mizner Boulevard using Zekla material. Staff procured material and plan to evaluate performance, then move to other locations south of Palmetto. Commissioner Drucker requested data collection counters on the units to gather pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle counts.
- Micromobility Safety Symposium: Scheduled for October 30, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Pre-registration is required; the symposium aims to engage the community, especially parents and children, on e-bike safety given increasing speeds and use of electric motocross-style bikes.
- Commissioner Reports: Chair Wigder noted a FAU graduate student workshop on the downtown ordinance and the upcoming update of the 4035 ordinance (due by 2028), which will include public input on connectivity, drainage, and flood control.
Key Outcomes
- The minutes of October 14, 2025, were approved without objection.
- No other motions or votes were taken; the meeting adjourned at 2:05 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, good afternoon, and welcome to this regular scheduled meeting of the Booker Rutone Community Redevelopment Agency. Today is Monday, October 27th, 2025. The time is 1.30, and we'll call the meeting to order. Please, everyone, let's rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation. Thank you. Ms. Siddons, please call the roll. Chair Wake. Here. Vice Chair Thompson. Thankful to be here. Commissioner Drucker. Here. Commissioner Knackless. Here. Commissioner Singer. Here. All present. Thank you. Thank you very much. We have a short agenda for the CRA today. So just a couple things. Just a word of note, of course. I hope everyone's dry, dried out, everyone's cars are okay. It was a big storm last night. The city manager and the team will talk a little bit about that in the workshop meeting following this meeting. Mr. Sahini, are there any amendments to the agenda? Mr. Chair, there are no amendments. Very well. Are there any corrections or revisions to the minutes of October 14th, 2025? If not, I'll entertain a motion. Move adoption of the minutes as presented, Mr. Chair. Very well. Second. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you. There are no presentations at this time, nor are there any quasi judicial or related public hearings. So we will turn to public requests for our community redevelopment agency. I do have a few cards. Anyone wishing to speak can come up to the microphone, state their name and address, and they'll have up to three minutes to speak. And of course, first we'll have Mr. Pam Pashkey. Mrs.
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