Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting Approves Mizner Plaza Hotel on March 23, 2026
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Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting Approves Mizner Plaza Hotel on March 23, 2026
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 1:30 PM at 6500 N. Congress Avenue. The primary agenda item was a quasi-judicial public hearing for the Mizner Plaza hotel project (DDRI IDA CRP-23-01). After extensive public testimony and deliberation, the CRA voted 4-1 to approve the project with several added conditions.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of February 23, 2026: Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Brian Critchman (Tower 155 resident): Opposed the project due to safety concerns about construction near a structurally compromised building; criticized the city's lack of independent structural oversight.
- Jeanette Orin (Tower 155 resident): Urged denial, calling the hotel "too large, too close" and a threat to neighborhood character.
- Alan Slutsky (Boca Raton resident): Raised traffic concerns, noting that studies may underestimate gridlock, and called for binding mitigations.
- Jill Rose (Tower 155 resident): Highlighted the 41% parking reduction as the largest ever requested, arguing a smaller building could avoid the deviation.
- Richard Warner: Criticized the downtown code and urged denial.
- Daniel Flynn (nearby resident): Spoke in favor, stating the hotel would revive Mizner Park and bring economic benefits.
- Pam Pashki (Boca Raton resident): Opposed the parking variance and the use of city-owned property for alley widening without compensation.
- Meredith Madsen (former city council candidate): Asked for deferral, citing the recent election results as a mandate against overdevelopment.
- Jeffrey Weinstein (Tower 155 resident): Listed eight issues, focusing on parking and the city land concession.
- Shelley Nesbet (nearby property owner): Supported the project, arguing it would enhance downtown vitality and economic growth.
- Stephen Newman (Mizner Boulevard resident): Praised the design and walkability.
- Scott Kerner (resident): Emphasized the need for development to attract youth and jobs.
- Ned Kimmelman (downtown resident): Voiced strong support, referencing property rights and the need to avoid lawsuits.
- Victoria Melazzo (Tower 155 resident): Asked the council to learn from the Tower 155 precedent and stop repeating mistakes.
- Josh Rosenfeld: Supported the project, calling opposition selfish.
- Martha Batmasian (property owner): Defended the project, citing its architectural significance and her family's long-term commitment to Boca Raton.
- Shannon Otto (Boca Raton resident): Opposed overdevelopment, preferring a quieter city.
- Joe Majors (Boca Raton resident): Criticized the parking deviation and suggested the applicant offer free after-hours parking downtown; questioned service entrance impacts.
- Judy Morrow (nearby property owner): Suggested using city-owned land as a bargaining chip for a new downtown post office.
- Ellen Bogdanoff (attorney for Tower 155 Association): Presented concerns about alley safety, requested 24/7 vibration monitoring, cameras, drone survey, wind modeling, and post-construction repairs.
- Ellie Zacharitis (applicant’s attorney): Rebutted concerns, emphasized property rights, and argued the parking code is outdated; offered conditions including an elevated crosswalk and off-site parking contingency.
Discussion Items
- Parking Deviation: Staff and applicant argued the 229-space reduction (41%) is justified by outdated code and low projected demand; the city's parking study supported the reduction. Discussion centered on off-site parking at 100 and 101 North Federal Highway (245 spaces) within 600 feet, as allowed by code.
- Alley Widening: The alley would be widened from 10 to 20 feet at applicant's expense; maintenance responsibility was debated. An elevated (raised) crosswalk was proposed to connect Tower 155 to the hotel.
- Structural Protection: Conditions L and M in the IDA required a pre-construction structural report and vibration monitoring; additional Tower 155 requests (24/7 monitoring, cameras, drone survey, wind modeling) were partially accepted.
- Height and Design: The 12-story, 140-foot building was praised for its architecture and integration with Mizner Park; it meets zoning except for parking.
- Election Context: Some speakers referenced the March 10 municipal election results as a signal to slow development; others argued property rights must be respected.
Key Outcomes
- Motion and Vote: Commissioner (Mayor-elect) Andy Thompson moved to approve DDRI IDA CRP-23-01 with amendments. Seconded by Commissioner Yvette Drucker. The motion passed 4-1 (Chair Marc Wigder dissenting).
- Amendments Included:
- Off-site parking contingency: If city manager or designee determines on-site parking is insufficient, applicant must provide off-site parking within 600 feet (e.g., at 100 and 101 N. Federal Highway), proportionate to the deficiency, with signage and a parking management plan.
- Raised crosswalk (referred to as "raised" in the record) connecting Tower 155 across the alley, design subject to city approval.
- Alley maintenance: Applicant responsible for maintenance and resurfacing of the full alley as directed by city manager.
- Structural evaluation (Condition 5L): Pre-construction structural report of Tower 155.
- Vibration monitoring (Condition 5M): Approved plan with benchmarks, vibrometers, tilt meters, and 24/7 email alerts to contractor.
- Post-construction evaluation: Submit structural condition report of Tower 155 noting differences from pre-construction report.
- Drone survey incorporated into the structural evaluation.
- All structural conditions contingent on Tower 155 ownership/association providing reasonable access.
- Other Conditions: The applicant accepted the structural monitoring language as underlined in Tower 155's proposal; did not agree to wind modeling, cameras, or post-construction power washing (to be handled privately). The city will not enforce those.
- Next Steps: The project will proceed with the conditions. The board also noted that Tower 155’s requests regarding their own loading zone and alley access should be considered separately by staff.
Other Business
- Public Requests: None.
- Director’s Report: None.
- Attorney’s Report: None.
- Commissioners’ Reports: Commissioner Scott Singer gave farewell remarks, thanking colleagues and staff after 12 years on the CRA. Chair Wigder noted the need to fix the downtown code. Meeting adjourned at 5:31 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon, everybody. Welcome. Good afternoon, welcome to this regular scheduled meeting of the community redevelopment agency of Boko Ratone. It's Monday, March twenty third, twenty twenty sixth. The time is one thirty PM. Let's call to the meeting to order. Vice Chair Thompson. Commissioner Drucker. Here. Commissioner Knackless? Here. Commissioner Singer. Here. All present. Mr. Sahini, are there any any amendments to the agenda? Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are no amendments to the agenda. I have one amendment to the agenda. Likewise, the applicant desires to have the hearing before this council leaves. Mayor Alex Thompson. My view on this is that I appreciate the folks who have reached out about this. My view on it is that council members are elected for a three-year term, not a two-year and fifty-one-week term. So I have every confidence that this existing council can rule and you know render a decision on this. This is the same way as as any subsequent counsel would be. But at the same time, I'm not going to be, I'm not in a position to tell anyone else whether they should postpone it or not. I'm happy doing it today, though. Very good. Yes. I agree with Mayor Aleck Thompson that we are still here in service and we still have to finish our terms, and that we are ready to hear this matter. And I agree with you with one of the things that you said, or many of the things you said, that the next council has to follow the rule of law and the legalities, so that we're not caught up in litigation for years to come and affect taxpayers. So I'm ready to hear the argument today. Thank you. Very good. I am willing to proceed today. Very good. I will with hearing. And I'm willing to go ahead and hearing so I will withdraw the motion. Thank you. Are there any corrections to the minutes, Mr. Sohaney? Mr. Chair, thank you. No. No. If not, I will seek a motion on a second to approve the minutes of February 23rd, 2026. So moved. Second. Second.
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