Boca Raton CRA Meeting: Altier Jewelers IDA and Public Input – April 13, 2026
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Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting – April 13, 2026
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a regular meeting on April 13, 2026, beginning at 1:30 PM. The meeting included a quasi-judicial public hearing for a development approval for Altier Jewelers, followed by public requests and a director's report on the summer meeting schedule. All actions were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes of the regular meeting of March 23, 2026 were adopted unanimously (5-0).
Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing: Altier Jewelers DDRI IDA CRP-96-05R2
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Consideration of an Individual Development Approval (IDA) for Altier Jewelers at 641 South Federal Highway on 0.43 acres. The project authorizes a change in use from office to retail (medium), construction of a 575-square-foot addition (from 4,960 to 5,535 total square feet), minor facade modifications, and related site improvements including removal of a drive-through and a curb cut on Federal Highway. The resulting office equivalent development remaining in Downtown Subarea F is 584 square feet. The project was recommended for approval by the Community Appearance Board (5-0 on Dec. 2, 2025) and the Planning and Zoning Board (7-0 on Feb. 19, 2026).
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Ex parte disclosures: Vice Chair Drucker, Commissioner Grau, and Commissioner Sipple each disclosed a meeting with applicant attorney David Millich on April 9, 2026. Chair Thomson noted he was contacted by Mr. Millich but did not connect. Commissioner Pearlman reported no ex parte communications.
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A code violation was identified: a roof encroachment into a required setback that was mistakenly approved in the original IDA and had existed for decades. The board directed staff to include a finding in the IDA formally acknowledging the prior nonconformity and ensuring it is not considered precedent.
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Public comment: No members of the public spoke for or against the application.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Earl Starkoff (3260 St. Charles Way): Suggested restoring Memorial Park as true open civic green space, moving city operations to the new Congress Avenue location, using camera-based kiosks for downtown access, and building a modern, cost‑engineered public safety facility. He urged a holistic, compromise-based approach.
- Dr. Brian Critchman (155 East Boca Raton Road): Questioned the city's response to potential vibration damage from the Misner Hotel project to the adjacent Tower 155 garage. He cited a city email stating damage would be a private matter and demanded a stop work order when sensors trigger. He expressed concern for resident safety, referencing the Surfside collapse.
- Frank Patton (13 Royal Palm Way): Called for a healing process between the city and the community following events last summer. He supported a hybrid solution and a dedication on Memorial Day, referencing local history and the American Legion charter.
- Diana Cooper (3240 Equestrian Drive): Representing families of girls' softball players, she criticized the condition of softball fields at Memorial Park as "embarrassing" and "unacceptable." She cited a disparity in amenities compared to other cities and requested immediate action, not studies or delays, emphasizing the need for clean, safe, equitable fields.
Director's Report: Summer Meeting Schedule
- Director Sohaney proposed a summer meeting schedule: May 26 (10 AM start due to Memorial Day), cancellation of the June 22 CRA/workshop and June 23 regular meeting, cancellation of July 13–14 meetings with a July 27–28 session, and cancellation of August 10–11 with an August 25–26 session. The schedule will be voted on at the April 28 meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Altier Jewelers IDA: Approved unanimously (5-0). The approval will include a formal finding acknowledging the historical roof encroachment error.
Commissioner Reports
- All commissioners reported no CRA-specific business. Chair Thomson noted the meeting proceeded smoothly and looked forward to continued work.
Adjournment
- The meeting adjourned at 2:05 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, friends, I believe it is time to call to order the meeting of the book returned community redevelopment agency. The date is April thirteenth, twenty twenty six. The time is one thirty in the PM or first order of business is the Pledge of Religion. So if everybody could please rise. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Ms. Siddons. Could you please call the roll? Chair Thompson. I am thankful to be here. Vice Chair Drucker here. Commissioner Grow. Here. Commissioner Perlman? Here. Commissioner Sippel. All present. Excellent. Next on our agenda is any amendments to the agenda, Mr. Director. Do we have any amendments? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There are no amendments to the agenda. Then I think we turn then to the minutes. Does anybody have any corrections or revisions to the minutes as presented? If not, I will entertain a motion to adopt the minutes as presented. So moved. Do I hear a second? Second. Excellent. All in favor of approving the minutes as presented, please say yes. Yes. Yes, yes. Yes. Any opposed? No, it sounds like not. So we can move on then to presentations for which we have none. And then we turn to quasi judicial and related public hearings. So if we could please have Madam Clerk read the title of resolution number DDRI, IDA, CRP 9605 R2. DDRI, IDA, CRP 9605 R2. Consideration of an individual development approval of the Boca Ratone Community Redevelopment Agency, amending and restating DDRI IDA numbers at CRP 9605 and CRP 9605R1 for the All Tier Jewelers Project on approximately 0.43 acres, generally located at 641 South Federal Highway, to authorize a change in use from office to retail medium and construct an addition to increase the square footage of an existing two-story building from 4,960 square feet to 5,535 square feet, an increase of 575 square feet with minor modifications to all building facades and other related site improvements that include landscaping and hardscape improvements, including a conversion of uses, resulting in approximately 584 square feet of office equivalent development remaining in downtown sub-area F, providing for appealer, providing an effective date. Thank you, Ms. Thank you, Ms. Siddons. At this point, we'll ask the attorney, uh Mr. Kayler or in his stead, Councilor Fernandez, to review the quasi-judicial procedure that will govern our public hearing today. Afternoon, Mr. Chair members and afternoon.
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