[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612404,"mediaKeyId","2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74","parentId",2891497,"title","City Council to consider amendment to CRA interim design guidelines to allow greater architectural flexibility","audioSeconds",43,"startMs",3976000,"endMs",4019000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74&start=3976&end=4019","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74/thumbnail_3976000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612404/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/City-Council-to-consider-amendment-to-CRA-interim-design-guidelines-to-allow-greater-architectural-flexibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612404-fdd17a4bcba75f715e2157a05261dd4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579685&Signature=XVWR-7sqCwMJJYY1oLFwQN7iQZzpsnHwEP0PAiUobFBFUuTwdV2ES8y9g1Px7mDz4Bqny54eoklwMFJzm7J0ZgPcw~BsxEZ0FO6DABcuVoMMw~ASP13yHKaB9J6znMYyGAiJvMkdpAztRiIXfLwLSIb7jAUvq~S7yCfdfHGK8HfrVtWEAYZ8dxHOI24CLfUgHtpTlyDsyJg3UbwKepOcrd6katVUwXHT06Q7KTkiSr5WZpF2mAZraJFKOaUDL0ixyGWZOdQNV0UeNLMb27KyFBaIegnUZ7E~8M1n0v5mwWFwy2tqbEiME6z4gouOjB82Y9eMRv63q7Slm6dxZlwNVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boca Raton","date","2025-04-07T13:20:00Z","article","City staff told the Community Redevelopment Agency on April 7 that Ordinance 5,732, an amendment to the CRA\u0000interim design guidelines, will be presented to the Boca Raton City Council at its next meeting. The change is intended to provide design flexibility by adjusting standards related to architectural bays to allow contemporary approaches.

George Brown said the amendment aims to streamline processes and permit a broader range of architectural treatments in the CRA. “Right now, there are specific standards that limit flexibility in design, particularly for allowing a more contemporary design,” Brown said. He added the ordinance will go before the city council the following evening.

Ending: Commissioners welcomed the clarification and staff said the item will be presented to the City Council for action at its next meeting; no council action occurred at the CRA meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boca Raton - C.R.A. Regular Meeting - Apr 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff told the CRA that Ordinance 5,732 — an amendment to the CRA interim design guidelines intended to allow more contemporary architectural flexibility — will be presented to the City Council at its next meeting.","taxTitle","Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",3932,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612408,"Boca Raton welcomes George Cameo to CRA staff to assist downtown redevelopment work",188,4164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74&start=3976&end=4164","/articles/6612408/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-welcomes-George-Cameo-to-CRA-staff-to-assist-downtown-redevelopment-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612408-1ee806daa3352fa8196fd754168a116b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579685&Signature=Q6fOzbi8PjE9IyGhU~gXOvaHMHTBt-PmYlZtfWLJKWwlD4Ssd2tnAQAdQ6MkdJq9lLpa5yp~Lre8dscEkib0nSp6QSWBYPzBaSN8CN9d3ilys1ek4y~zDnSbF-Gz8sV5c3OFX1wN8ME0Mf-lUgwkFMV3Y-UTYmjvv0MhR3SnZjuAvkCDpVUzx1MN3HAFGYYeC5KC-BqPniXRx6Qt1mu2ufINf-lgZob7a-G86yALtER0PmvHTKNhEus3nPDKLoXwRVr4qwEF~HLn26ZT7808S-i~BhyKmZ8C1ocVrVB2aUskSoSqDsXKkqhqq6GjX2gy9YSXrBmto1slqbrSIe1gQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on April 7 introduced George Cameo as a returning member of city staff who will assist with CRA matters, including the rewrite of local land-development regulations and work connected to the government campus master plan.

City staff said Cameo previously worked for the City of Boca Raton for many years before going to the City of Hollywood, where he served as the community redevelopment director. “We\u0000re bringing him on board particularly to assist with CRA matters,” George Brown said when introducing the hire, noting several major projects ahead including a rewrite of existing CRA rules.

Cameo addressed the commission and said he was “grateful and frankly humbled” to rejoin Boca Raton and looked forward to contributing to near-term projects. Staff said Cameo will be involved with the rewrite of zoning and land-development documents (referred to in discussion as the existing 04/1935 framework) and will work on regulations tied to the government campus and other CRA projects.

Ending: Commissioners welcomed Cameo and noted the upcoming workload on redevelopment rules and infrastructure projects; staff stressed coordination among consultants, planning staff and the CRA while the zoning and design documents are updated.","The CRA introduced George Cameo, who returns to Boca Raton government service after time as Hollywood’s CRA director, and said he will assist with land-development regulation work and the government campus projects.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612413,"Boca Raton CRA approves summer schedule, cancels certain June–August meetings",213,2460000,2673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74&start=2460&end=2673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74/thumbnail_2460000.jpg","/articles/6612413/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-CRA-approves-summer-schedule-cancels-certain-JuneAugust-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612413-a8c45dc6d3075441b254af7561464ecf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579685&Signature=Lxu9RHBeeEFas8oTyQOj2wTc75kNC2SyKkRVdJR2fVVe-~ig7g3NTElyOjUQbUS9bHa6rfZNe5-JXCE7UcNHULsUA4ONjRW6J0S~B2P2iwHNpLWVKY7OUtrcNzJWFCT5VB54Ke9x74xQUwJ3-mjSUOreokAR7e5cJpz5poExAJzsjD-tlWItX~3ZYe7gbfSWKABNjjCqV9EXuJnDxfIxe~wa023pbp4MjG66YPYOUjuWaETlFrmMy380LWb6JGO4~obDEC6rb-rcKCurAPJ~jJx3FIlwGWuWXwWkuEiVQ2tSmDZFnN7ON-N1OYW~XYTkHdD79nS34hOyZQlW-cma4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on April 7 approved a resolution canceling and rescheduling selected regular CRA meetings in June, July and August 2025, citing the traditional abbreviated summer schedule and the need for staff time to prepare the city budget and strategic planning work.

The agency approved the measure by voice/roll-call vote, with the motion passing 5–0. The resolution cancels the second regular meeting in June 2025, the second regular meeting in July 2025 and the first regular meeting in August 2025; the CRA also confirmed a rescheduled July meeting on July 14.

City staff described the change as a long-standing practice that gives staff extra time during the budget preparation season. “It allows time, particularly because we're in the middle of preparing the budget at that time, bringing it forward to you all, [and] allows time to carefully review the budget document,” said George Brown, city staff member leading the item.

Staff also noted that special meetings can be called if necessary, with appropriate public notice. A staff member reminded the commission that special meetings may be called by the mayor, council or city manager and must comply with statutory notice requirements.

The resolution passed with unanimous approval; the CRA noted that updates on high-priority topics will continue to be posted to the project website and returned to the CRA when information is available.

Ending: Commissioners said cancelling those regular meetings is a procedural step to allow time for budget review and other preparations; staff committed to posting material online and calling special meetings if urgent matters arise.","The CRA adopted a resolution cancelling some regular meetings over June–August 2025 to allow staff time for budget and planning work. The resolution passed unanimously, 5-0.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612417,"Boca Raton CRA brings Jeff Speck onboard to advise Palmetto Park Road walkability study",732,760000,1492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74&start=760&end=1492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891497-cd6312f14266f6ea0e0d41e54009cd74/thumbnail_760000.jpg","/articles/6612417/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-CRA-brings-Jeff-Speck-onboard-to-advise-Palmetto-Park-Road-walkability-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612417-ea627079fa248c07cbcaf2ddc5fbf04a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579686&Signature=PE8IMxBzEYnhMKSC1bWQcTGo1kdbB1oxkf6uPS5oI58nLGQczjHpQIDjY4mibtYJn1bmKXkYJULGIEvqMZIQ1hdvq87lMGtwf7wWlVBitAA96nBr8~XngSzYP3ZPlIg2jCslX5WJmxRwP7mUxV24ScQxKZosk1K2hv0FMvn2ueVOfLfH72gCrnVin-LJALzM~P~hdaeWi8JroCygh4qQ-j4lB7ZN0kamEdhWwdlYIJ54zdTT9ZXUxz6fRIWdtaADUl4bLLX5RIMJTQWNNfKRY~tL~diH5iBiDlkHdOXkImHMvpJQ-G~2OH3RDSyJ2N~PS3-VKtRAhf9ZwfFeU1j5LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on April 7 introduced consultant Jeff Speck to the ongoing downtown multimodal mobility study and confirmed using a contract with Alta Planning and Design to advance design work on East Palmetto Park Road.

The presentation, led by Zachary Behr, the city’s public works and engineering director, outlined that staff will use work order No. 3 with Alta to integrate Speck’s firm into a study focused on Palmetto Park Road and broader downtown connectivity. Behr said initial check-ins are expected in summer and that the Alta contract will be used to evaluate the entire downtown network, not only Palmetto Park Road.

Why it matters: Palmetto Park Road runs through the city’s downtown and connects to the planned government campus. Agency and community speakers emphasized safety, place-making and connectivity across the rail corridor as priorities for future designs.

Speck, an urban planner and author brought in as a design consultant, described his role as refining alternatives and optimizing street sections. “To be walkable, the walk has to be useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting,” Speck said, summarizing the design principles his team will apply.

Staff described a two-track approach: near-term “quick-build” or demonstration projects and a longer-term set of alternatives. Alta and city staff identified Meisner Boulevard and several downtown intersections — including Second Street and Meisner and Southeast First — as candidates for quick demonstrations. City staff said these demonstration installations could be implemented within weeks or months after final approvals, depending on materials and permitting.

Speakers and community groups urged an emphasis on place-making as well as safety. Andrea Levine O’Rourke, representing Workshop 344+, told the agency the project should produce a “memorable main street” and called fast traffic through downtown “not safe. It’s unpleasant, and frankly, it’s scary.” Several residents and volunteer groups present said they want Speck to lead design thinking and for the city to use the charrette to involve community stakeholders directly.

Timing and next steps: Staff said the scope includes a short design charrette tentatively scheduled for June, but asked the commission to wait until the city formalizes the work order before confirming dates. Behr said additional scoping and coordination — including integration with the government campus master plan and an FDOT corridor review — are expected through the summer.

Staff emphasized coordination across ongoing projects so the Palmetto Park Road work is not treated as an isolated change but as part of a network-level plan linking the downtown, Brightline station area and the government campus. The team expects public charrettes and on-site reviews with Speck and Alta to produce design options for future decision making.

Ending: The CRA’s consultant team and community supporters signaled broad interest in moving quickly on demonstrable safety improvements while using a charrette process to test more significant, long-term design options for Palmetto Park Road and downtown connectivity.","The CRA received an update on the downtown multimodal mobility study, confirmed Alta Planning and Design’s work order and said a short design charrette with Jeff Speck is tentatively planned for June. Staff and the consultant outlined short-term demonstration projects on Meisner Boulevard and coordination with FDOT projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City Council to consider amendment to CRA interim design guidelines to allow greater architectural flexibility

Boca Raton welcomes George Cameo to CRA staff to assist downtown redevelopment work

Boca Raton CRA approves summer schedule, cancels certain June–August meetings

Boca Raton CRA brings Jeff Speck onboard to advise Palmetto Park Road walkability study