Boca Raton Planning & Zoning Board Meeting – September 3, 2026
Boca Raton Planning & Zoning Board Meeting – September 3, 2026
The Planning and Zoning Board of Boca Raton met on September 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM (meeting began at 6:00 PM). The board held two quasi-judicial public hearings: a marine structure variance for a shared finger pier at 910 and 911 NE 24th Street, and a site plan amendment to add a skate park and pump track at North Park (5800 NW 2nd Avenue). Both items received unanimous approval after extensive public testimony. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved unanimously for the regular meetings of May 7, 2026 and July 16, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Marine Structure Variance (910/911 NE 24th St): No public speakers came forward. The applicant (Ryan Abrams, attorney) and an environmental consultant (Tyler Chappelle) presented. The board asked clarifying questions about boat ownership and land ownership.
- North Park Skate Park: Approximately 20 public speakers addressed the board. Supporters included Craig Snyder (planner, author), Asher Capanera (9-year-old skateboarder), his parents Dr. Ronaldo and Marisa Capanera, David Bomdes (former citizen council member), Brianna Hagquist (resident with gopher tortoise advocate), Elizabeth Snow, David Wonder, and others. They emphasized the need for modern recreation, inclusivity, multi-generational benefits, and the poor condition of the existing 1998 skate park. Opponents included James Richardson (Boca Tika President's Council, representing 1,600 units), Michael Schneider, Sil Celeberty, Irina Borisora, Harold Chaffee, and others. Their concerns included traffic on NW 2nd Avenue (11,000–12,700 vehicles/day vs. a 15,000 threshold), noise (citing 90 dB for skate parks), lack of a noise study, operating hours, the size of the skate park (45,000–47,000 sq ft), and that the park was originally planned as passive open space. Some opponents asked for a continuance for further study or relocation to Spanish River Park.
Discussion Items
- Marine Structure Variance (Items 6A.i & 6A.ii): The board considered variances for two adjacent parcels (911 and 910 NE 24th Street) to allow a shared 196.2-foot finger pier in lieu of the 60-foot maximum, reduced side setbacks, and zero-foot side setbacks for the dock. Staff (Tori Boone) recommended approval, noting the design minimizes environmental impact (avoiding dredging and seagrass), reduces encroachment, and is consistent with a prior variance at 900 Lagomar Lane. The Marine Advisory Board recommended approval with conditions (ladder, dolphin piling lighting). The applicant argued the variance is the minimum necessary due to shallow water (2–4 feet deep) and submerged seagrass beds. The board voted unanimously to approve each variance (7-0).
- North Park Skate Park (Item 5A): The board reviewed a site plan amendment to add a 1.43-acre skate park (including pump track, bowls, snake run, street course) to the approved 69.49-acre North Park development. Staff (Eoin Devlin) noted no trees are removed, parking remains sufficient (327 spaces, 175 excess), and traffic impacts are below thresholds requiring a new study. The Community Appearance Board recommended reducing fence height from 8ft to 6ft, but the applicant opposed due to safety concerns. The applicant (Mila Fuentes) and district executive director Brianna Harms highlighted public workshops, design refinements, and integration with the broader park. During public discussion, board members expressed support for the project's benefits to youth and families.
Key Outcomes
- Marine Structure Variance – 911 NE 24th Street (VA-25-05): Motion to approve passed 7-0. Condition: compliance with building permit, shared maintenance agreement, no mooring within 45 ft of seawall, and post-construction bathymetry survey.
- Marine Structure Variance – 910 NE 24th Street (VA-25-03): Motion to approve passed 7-0. Conditions same as above.
- North Park Skate Park (PZSPA-2026-00017): Motion to approve the site plan amendment passed 7-0. The project will move forward with the recommended conditions from staff and the Community Appearance Board (fence height remains at 8 ft per applicant's safety justification).
Other Items
- Public Requests: None.
- Director's Report & Board Member Reports: Brief discussion about transitioning to electronic distribution of agenda packets. The board took no formal action.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Everybody, please settle down. Okay, it's six o'clock, September third, twenty twenty-six. This is the planning and zoning meeting of the city of Boca Raton. Will everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. Kathy, please call the roll. Chair Savell. Here. Vice Chair Dornblazer. Here. Mr. Comeho. Here. Mr. Matthews. Here. Mr. Morobley. Here. Mr. Mitchell. Here. Mr. Morgan. Here. You have a quorum. Okay. Thank you. Uh amendments to the agenda. The board has agreed that we're going to flip the two items and handle the variants first when we get to that. So the first item then is the minutes of May 7, 2025. I'll look for a motion and a second. Motion to approve. So seconded. All in favor? I next to the minutes of uh July 16, 2025. 26. I'm sorry. Wrong year. Motion to approve. So seconded. All in favor? Okay. Thank you. Uh these two hearings tonight are quaso judicial, and I'll ask the city attorney to explain the uh procedure to you all. Evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. Chris Fernandez, Senior Assistant City Attorney. The rules of the City Council provide that each applicant requesting approval, relief, or other action from the planning and zoning board this evening shall disclose at the commencement of the public hearing any consideration provided or committed directly or on its behalf for an agreement to support or withhold objection to the requested relief for action.
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