Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting - April 16, 2026

The City of Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board met on April 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM for its regular meeting. The board unanimously re-elected Chair Arnold Sevell, Vice Chair Timothy Dornblaser, and Secretary Gregory Mitchell. The meeting addressed three quasi-judicial public hearings and one regular public hearing, approving all items with modifications on two. Key decisions included a parking deviation for a commercial plaza, conversion of a hotel to residential with affordable units, a mixed-use industrial/office project, and a lease extension for a hospice facility.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meetings of February 19, 2026, March 5, 2026, and March 19, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during any of the public hearing periods for the agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Election of Officers: The board elected Chair Arnold Sevell (nominated by Gregory Mitchell, seconded by Jorge Camejo), Vice Chair Timothy Dornblaser (nominated by Gregory Mitchell, seconded by Arnold Sevell), and Secretary Gregory Mitchell (nominated by Arnold Sevell, seconded by Chaim Morgan) – all by unanimous voice vote.
• Agenda Amendment: The board agreed to move Item 6.C (The Courtyard at Spanish River) to the first quasi-judicial hearing.
• Item 6.C – The Courtyard at Spanish River Parking Deviation: The applicant, Sarah Thompson, requested a technical deviation to reduce required parking from 326 to 226 spaces for the 4.51‑acre commercial property at 500 NE Spanish River Boulevard. The request was based on an ITE parking study showing actual demand lower than code. Board member Harry Mirabile recused himself due to a conflict of interest (cousin is a tenant). After discussion, the board approved the deviation 6‑0.
• Item 6.A – Holiday Inn & Suites Conversion: The applicant, David Millage, proposed converting the existing 183‑room hotel at 701 NW 53rd Street into 125 residential units (including 10% affordable and 5% workforce units), a 5,545 sq ft restaurant with outdoor dining, and 4,501 sq ft of retail space. Staff recommended approval. The board discussed outdoor dining hours, with Chair Sevell suggesting a 10:00 PM cutoff, but ultimately left hours to market forces. The board approved the site plan amendment 7‑0.
• Item 6.B – 1150 Innovation Center: This consolidated hearing considered two resolutions: (i) a site plan amendment for two two‑story office/light industrial buildings totaling ~71,624 sq ft, including a technical deviation for driveway reservoir reduction (50 ft to 38 ft) and a variance for street yard setback reduction (100 ft to 70 ft 9 in); and (ii) a conditional use to allow warehousing/showroom/wholesale uses in the LIRP district. The applicant, David Millage, sought changes to conditions: reducing oak tree caliper from 6 inches to 4 inches, eliminating a box‑truck restriction, and adjusting parking structure review language. Staff expressed concerns about compatibility with the adjacent approved 287‑unit multifamily building. The residential developer (Michael Trimble) supported the project, citing a recorded REA to self‑police uses. The board voted to recommend approval of both resolutions (7‑0 each) with modifications: trees reduced to 4‑inch caliper, box‑truck condition removed, and remaining issues left to staff and applicant negotiation before City Council.
• Item 8.A – Trustbridge Lease (Hospice by the Sea): Ann Hathaway presented a lease amendment for 5.12 acres of city‑owned land at 1531 W Palmetto Park Road, extending the lease from June 12, 2034 to June 20, 2044, with four additional 10‑year renewal periods subject to the lessee investing $1 million in capital improvements by June 11, 2044. The lessee, Trustbridge Inc., has already invested $13 million since 2020. Board member Harry Mirabile noted that liability insurance ($1–2 million) seemed low and would be reviewed. The board approved the lease amendment unanimously (7‑0).

Key Outcomes

• The Courtyard at Spanish River (Item 6.C): Approved 6‑0 (Mirabile recused). Reduces required parking from 326 to 226 spaces, based on ITE study, with surplus of 40 spaces for higher‑demand uses.
• Holiday Inn & Suites (Item 6.A): Approved 7‑0. Allows conversion of hotel to 125 residential units (13 affordable, 7 workforce), plus restaurant and retail, with conditions including enhanced bicycle parking and a shuttle shelter.
• 1150 Innovation Center (Item 6.B): Both resolutions approved 7‑0 with modifications: tree caliper reduced from 6 to 4 inches, box‑truck restriction removed (left to private enforcement between owners), and parking structure review condition adjusted. Remaining items (walkway design) to be resolved with staff before City Council.
• Trustbridge Lease (Item 8.A): Approved 7‑0. Lease extended to 2044 with $1 million capital improvement requirement and four optional 10‑year renewals.
• Director’s Report: The board nominated Gregory Mitchell to serve as the Planning and Zoning Board representative on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.