Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting – November 17, 2025
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Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting – November 17, 2025
The Boca Raton CRA held a regular meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 1:30 PM. The main agenda item was a quasi-judicial public hearing on an amendment to the Individual Development Approval for the Camino Square Phase 2 project, following a continuance from October 14, 2025. After public testimony and deliberation, the board voted 5-0 to approve the amendment, which included increased retail space, reduced residential units, and new conditions for safety and mobility improvements.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes of the Regular Meetings of October 27, 2025, and November 4, 2025 (motion by Commissioner Nachlas, seconded by Commissioner Drucker).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Quasi-Judicial Hearing: Several residents and stakeholders spoke during the public hearing on the Camino Square Phase 2 amendment. Richard Warner (1322 SW 9th Terrace) called the project an "atrocity" and argued that Ordinance 4035 is outdated. Mike Liebelson (398 NE 3rd Court) raised concerns about ex-parte communications and urged the board to reject the project. John Perlman (498 NE A Street) questioned the applicant's claim of unviable retail, argued the property owner (Kimco) deliberately allowed blight, and warned about pedestrian safety near the Brightline tracks. Les Wilson (649 SW 14th Street) presented a mobility vision for the government center area and urged the city to fill its open mobility director position. Judy Morrow (1305 NE 5th Avenue) highlighted traffic dangers for cyclists and called for more tennis courts. Pam Pashkey (341 SW 2nd Street) criticized the project's compatibility with the neighborhood, the pocket park design, and the lack of tenant outreach proof. Jonathan Ungjin (6501 Congress Avenue) said a gas station across the street should have been acquired for better retail continuity. During cross-examination, Mr. Warner and Mr. Pearlman questioned staff about the applicant's retail viability claims and parking methodology.
- Public Requests (After Hearing): John Perlman again discussed Brightline safety and criticized Commissioner Drucker's past statements. Richard Warner urged the board to update Ordinance 4035. Pam Pashkey questioned the applicant's lobbyist registration status and identified corporate ownership discrepancies. Judy Morrow argued that Ordinance 4035 permits overdevelopment. Jonathan Ungjin noted that the lobbyist registration was only filed 10 days prior. Buffy Tucker (431 NE 10th Terrace) expressed concern about the developer's approach and called for more community involvement.
Discussion Items
- Camino Square Phase 2 IDA Amendment (CRP-16-02R2): Senior Planner Susan Lesser presented the revised application, which now proposes 374 residential units (down 20) and 23,368 square feet of retail (up 14,736 square feet) in two eight-story buildings (max height 97 feet 8 inches including architectural features) with a seven-story parking structure. The retail includes 2,000 sq ft fast food, 5,805 sq ft quality restaurant, and 15,563 sq ft general retail. A technical deviation to reduce a driveway width by one foot remains. New conditions were added: (1) a two-foot-wide easement along Camino Real for future mobility enhancements, (2) a $15,000 voluntary proffer for a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at the existing crosswalk south of the property, and (3) conditions 18 and 19 prohibiting a bar or additional patron seating in restaurants without demonstrated adequate parking. Applicant's attorney Ellie Zacharitis (14 SE 4th Street) argued the project is "as of right" under Ordinance 4035 on all points except the minor driveway deviation, which she offered to withdraw. She noted the project still meets all code requirements and reduces daily traffic by 889 trips compared to the previously approved retail-only plan. City Attorney Keeler clarified that "as of right" is a rhetorical device and the board retains discretion. Commissioners discussed the retail activation, parking adequacy, traffic impacts, and the public safety conditions. Chair Wigder noted ongoing CRA efforts to fund broader mobility improvements in the area.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Camino Square Phase 2 IDA Amendment: The board approved the motion to adopt DDRI IDA No. CRP-16-02R2 (including the technical deviation and easement abandonments) with a unanimous vote of 5-0 (Chair Wigder, Vice Chair Thomson, Commissioners Drucker, Nachlas, and Singer voted aye). The approval includes conditions 13.h.3 (two-foot easement), 13K ($15,000 proffer for RRFB), 18, and 19 (restrictions on bar/patio seating). The board did not require the applicant to withdraw the driveway deviation.
- Director's Report: Development Services Director Mohan Sohaney and staff indicated that the CRA is exploring funding options for downtown walkability and road/sidewalk improvements in the Camino Real corridor, which will be presented in a future capital improvement update.
- No Further Business: The meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM, to be followed by a City Council workshop.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Let's call this meeting to order. It's a regular scheduled meeting of the community redevelopment agency of Vokaretone. It's Monday, November 17th, 2025. The time is 1.30 p.m. Please everyone rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice. Thank you. Ms. Siddons, please call the roll. Chair Wickter. Here. Vice Chair Thompson. Thankful to be here. Commissioner Drucker. Here. Commissioner Knackless. Here. Commissioner Singer. Here. All present. Very well. Thank you. Mr. Souheny, are there any amendments to the agenda? Mr. Chair, there are no amendments to the agenda. Very well. Pardon me. Are there any corrections to the minutes? If there is no corrections, we'll seek uh approval for the minutes of October 27th and November 4th, 2025. Move adoption of the minutes, Mr. Chair. Very well. Second to Ms. Knockless. All in favor? Aye. Aye. There are no presentations today, so we will proceed to quasi judicial and related public hearings, of which there are one, which is the reopening of an existing hearing. Ms. Siddons, please read the title of the IDA, CRP 16-02R2. DDRI, IDA number CRP 160202. Excuse me, O2R2. Consideration of an individual development approval of the City of Bocaretone Community Redevelopment Agency. Amending IDA number CRP 1602 as amended by IDA number 16 CRP 1602 R1A for the Camino Square Phase 2 project located on the western approximately 4.54 acre portion of the overall approximately 9.13 acre property, generally located at 171 West Camino Real to authorize a change in use from 37,399 square feet of retail high in two buildings to 374 residential units and 23,368 square feet of retail high, consisting of 2,000 square feet of fast food, 5,805 square feet of quality restaurant, and 15,563 square feet of retail in two eight-story buildings totaling 455,371 square feet, each with a maximum height not to exceed 81 feet eight inches, with additional architectural features for a maximum total height not to exceed 97 feet 8 inches, and additionally including a seven-story 291,304 square foot parking structure integrated in building two, together with a technical deviation from Section 23-190D Code of Ordinances to reduce the required driveway width from 34 feet to 33 feet, a reduction of one foot at the existing Southwest Third Avenue access, considering the abandonment of two 12-wide portions of a utility easement located at the northern portion of the property, resulting in approximately 65,371 square feet remaining in downtown sub area G, including a conversion of uses, providing for appealer, providing an effective date. Thank you, Mr. Keeler.
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