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Boca Raton CRA lowers up-front urban-design deposit for small projects
Summary
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 8 approved an amendment to its application fee schedule that reduces the pre‑permit urban design review deposit from $2,500 to tiered amounts—$500 for projects up to $500,000 and $1,000 for projects over $500,000—effective Oct. 1, 2025.
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Monday approved Resolution Number 2025‑04 to amend the CRA application review and processing fee schedule and base the pre‑permit urban design review deposit on project value.
Arlene Shees Nelson, DDRI planning analyst, summarized the change: “Before you this afternoon is Resolution Number 2025‑04 CRA, which amends the CRA application review and processing fee schedule. This resolution changes the CRA application fee schedule by updating the pre permit urban design review deposit which is currently $2,500…We’re changing that so that it’s based on the value of the project.”
Under the amendment, the one‑time pre‑permit urban design deposit will be $500 for projects with a value of up to $500,000 and $1,000 for projects with a value of more than $500,000. Shees Nelson said existing refunds and the administrative burden of processing refunds motivated the change; staff had often returned most of a $2,500 deposit after minimal review, which created extra work for applicants and staff.
Vice Chair Thompson asked whether the refund process required substantial staff time; Shees Nelson responded that staff time was a factor. Chair Wachter summarized the intent: smaller projects will pay a smaller fee while larger projects will continue to provide a larger deposit because of their greater potential review needs.
No members of the public spoke on the item. Vice Chair Thompson moved approval; Commissioner Drucker seconded. The resolution passed on a 5‑0 roll call: Nacklis, Wigter, Singer, Drucker and Thompson voting yes.
The resolution repeals the prior CRA fee resolution (referenced in the staff presentation) and, if adopted as approved, the new schedule becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025.
