Board approves text amendment to allow 100-foot buildings in R5 district on 100-acre master-planned sites

The Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved a text amendment to allow a maximum building height of 100 feet in the R5 multifamily zoning district for properties within a planned development master plan of at least 100 acres.

Brandon Shad, the city’s development services director, said the existing R5 maximum height is 85 feet and the amendment creates a limited exception for master-planned properties of at least 100 acres. Yards (setbacks) will continue to scale with height under the existing code — Shad noted that once a building exceeds 25 feet, the required setback increases by 1 foot for every 2 feet of height above 25 feet — and all other development parameters and site-plan review requirements will remain in effect.

Staff recommended approval after finding the proposed change consistent with the comprehensive plan. The petitioning owner identified in the record is Boca Owner LLC, which, through counsel Bonnie Miskill, described prior investments on the property and said the provision is narrowly written to apply only to properties with an approved master plan of at least 100 acres. Miskill and her presentation referenced existing tall buildings on the site and letters of support from property stakeholders.

Board members asked whether other parcels in the city would qualify; Shad and the petitioner said the requirement is narrow and that most large parcels are either not zoned R5 or do not have a qualifying master plan. The petitioner noted that the Boca Raton property includes substantial open space and a mix of R5 zoning and recreation/open-space areas, and she emphasized that any future project using this provision would still require separate site-plan and compatibility review before the board.

Chair Seville called for a motion on the text amendment (agenda item 7a). The motion and second were recorded; Jamie called the roll and the board passed the text amendment 5-0 with Mr. Morgan, Mr. Dornblazer, Ms. McDermott, Ms. Ritchie and Chair Seville voting yes.

The amendment changes section 28-641 of the city’s zoning code to permit an increase in maximum height from 85 to 100 feet for qualifying R5 master-planned sites. Staff emphasized that the increased height would come with larger setbacks and standard site-plan review to address compatibility with adjacent properties. No members of the public objected during the hearing. The petitioner said the owner has made extensive investments in the property and that any future development using this provision would be subject to detailed review.