Planning board approves tweak to downtown design rules to give architects more flexibility

The Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 16 voted unanimously to recommend a text amendment to the downtown Development of Regional Impact (DRI) interim design guidelines that loosens prescriptive bay‑length requirements and gives architects more flexibility to break up long building facades at ground level.

The amendment would modify ordinance No. 4035 (the downtown DRI development order) to adjust standards used for downtown “downtown quality” projects reviewed under the interim design guidelines (IDG). Under the IDG, projects may be allowed up to 140 feet in height subject to design criteria intended to avoid long, blank walls at the street. Staff said the amendment clarifies the purpose of architectural bays — the elements that divide long facades — and allows alternative architectural elements to achieve the same pedestrian‑level variation without rigid dimensional rules.

Brandon Shadd, development services director, told the board the change would retain the rules’ intent — avoiding uninterrupted wall expanses and promoting human‑scaled storefronts and entrances — while providing more design options. Several board members and one member of the public, Derek Van Der Ploeg, asked staff to add wording to make clear that projects may achieve the same visual rhythm using similar architectural elements rather than literal “smaller buildings” at every 100 feet. Van Der Ploeg offered to work with staff on recommended language ahead of City Council review; staff agreed to meet.

The board closed the public hearing and voted 5–0 to recommend approval. The measure advances to City Council for final action.