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Council transmits plan amendment to allow private 'vertiports' in institutional zones
Summary
The council voted to transmit a comprehensive‑plan text amendment that would add privately operated transportation facilities, including vertiports, as permitted uses in institutional (PI) future land use areas; transmittal to state expected and final adoption later if state review permits.
The Boca Raton City Council voted 5-0 on Feb. 25 to transmit Ordinance 57‑25, a city‑initiated comprehensive‑plan text amendment that would add private transportation facilities to the list of principal permitted uses in properties designated Institutional (PI).
Long Range Project Manager Jim Bell told the council the amendment would allow privately operated vertiports adjacent to Boca Raton Airport at the Florida Atlantic University Research Park and would also permit other private transportation facilities on PI‑designated land that serve broader community needs, including rail or transit stations, bicycle facilities, and multi‑use pathways.
“A vertiport is a designated area for the landing, takeoff, and servicing of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft,” Bell said, adding that vertiports differ from helipads by using electric charging infrastructure rather than fuel. He said the change would enable privately operated urban‑air‑mobility facilities on institutionally designated properties after local land‑use approvals.
The Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval on Jan. 16 by a 5‑0 vote. Bell and staff said compatibility requirements in the comprehensive plan and city code would continue to protect adjacent single‑family and multi‑family neighborhoods because the amendment applies only to properties already designated PI.
Council members discussed timing and regulatory oversight. One council member said a potential vendor was interested in the FAU Research Park and staff explained that, if the council transmits the amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce and receives state review, the applicant would still need to seek city permits and go through standard land‑use and permitting processes.
The council’s motion was to transmit the ordinance for state review; final adoption will require a subsequent council vote after the Department of Commerce review and will require four affirmative votes to adopt at that later hearing. Roll call on transmittal was unanimous: Council Member Thompson—yes; Mayor Singer—yes; Council Member Wachter—yes; Deputy Mayor Drucker—yes; Council Member Nacklis—yes.
