Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - January 8, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Board met on January 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM to consider three major items: an amendment to the Boca Technology Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI), the 2025 Evaluation and Appraisal of the Comprehensive Plan, and a new ordinance regulating freestanding emergency facilities. The board approved all items, with amendments to the emergency facilities ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the regular meetings of November 20, 2025, and December 4, 2025, by unanimous voice votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Boca Technology Center DRI Amendment: Multiple property owners within the DRI (Geo Group, Centra Homeowners Association, BV Partners, and others) requested a 30-day continuance, citing lack of notice, unanswered questions about obligations after the departure of the largest property owner, and concerns about future management of the DRI. The applicant, David Millage, opposed the continuance, stating that the remaining owners have until the City Council hearing (February 24, 2026) to conduct due diligence. One public speaker criticized the process as a repeat of earlier actions by Crocker Partners.
• Freestanding Emergency Facilities: Several speakers opposed the proposed ordinance as overly restrictive. Jeffrey Barker (Nelson Mullins) argued that the map of allowed locations is too limited and suggested adding LERP and other commercial districts. Jonathan Ungen criticized the fast-tracking and exclusion of LERP. Larry Silver (owner of 1001 East Telecom Drive) argued that the use is low-traffic and should be allowed near population centers. Greg DeSantis (Silver Companies) offered expertise on traffic and parking. One speaker noted that the city council had already heard the item before the board, which they considered prejudicial.

Discussion Items

• Boca Technology Center DRI Amendment (SC-25-07): The board considered a resolution to reduce the DRI from 217.5 acres to 87.9 acres (a 129.6-acre reduction) by removing the 124.2-acre Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRIC) at 5000 T-Rex Avenue and a 5.4-acre parcel at 950 NW Spanish River Boulevard. Staff reported that the DRI is nearly built out, with only 49,000 square feet of office and 100 square feet of retail remaining. All traffic mitigation improvements have been completed. The board questioned staff about impacts on remaining properties and confirmed that no entitlements are being removed. The public hearing included testimony from the applicant and concerned property owners. The board denied the continuance request and proceeded to vote.
• Evaluation and Appraisal of Comprehensive Plan 2025 (SC-25-01): Jim Bell presented a comprehensive update to the city’s 20-year plan, required by Florida Statutes Chapter 163. The update extends planning horizons to 2035 and 2045, incorporates 2020 census data, updates all elements (e.g., Future Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Conservation, etc.), and revises map series. Staff stated the amendments are mostly housekeeping and comply with state law. No public comments were offered.
• Freestanding Emergency Facilities Ordinance (AM-25-11): Tamashbeen Rahman presented a city-initiated text amendment to allow freestanding emergency facilities as conditional uses in B-4, MC, City CG, and City CHO zoning districts, with criteria including direct access from an arterial road, no adjacency to single-family residences, and no access through a school zone. The map of eligible properties was very limited. Board members expressed concern that the ordinance was too restrictive, particularly excluding LERP (a major employment and residential area). They noted that the only previously approved freestanding emergency facility (at 1001 East Telecom Drive) was in LERP but was later reversed by City Council. After discussion, the board proposed amendments: add LERP to the allowed districts, impose a 1-mile distance separation requirement between any such facilities, clarify that the property must be on an arterial road but the entrance does not have to be on that road, and remove the school zone restriction.

Key Outcomes

• Boca Technology Center DRI Amendment: Motion to approve the amendment passed 6-0. The board recommended approval to the City Council, noting that the applicant agreed to share information with remaining property owners before the City Council hearing.
• Evaluation and Appraisal of Comprehensive Plan: Motion to approve the comprehensive plan amendments passed 6-0. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for transmittal to the Florida Department of Commerce.
• Freestanding Emergency Facilities Ordinance: Motion to approve the ordinance with the following amendments passed 6-0: (1) include LERP as an allowed zoning district, (2) require a minimum 1-mile separation between any freestanding emergency facilities citywide, (3) require the property to be on an arterial road but allow the entrance to be via a side street, and (4) remove the prohibition on access through a school zone. The recommendation will go to the City Council for final action.