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Boca Raton council adopts ordinance exempting east side of A1A north of Palmetto Park Road from sidewalk requirement
Summary
The City Council approved Ordinance 5723, a text amendment to the city code that exempts the east side of State Road A1A north of Palmetto Park Road from required installation or widening of sidewalks to protect dunes and vegetation. Vote: 5-0.
Boca Raton City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Ordinance 5723, a city-initiated amendment to the code of ordinances that specifies sidewalks need not be installed or widened on the east side of State Road A1A north of Palmetto Park Road.
The change, introduced by planning staff and supported by the Planning & Zoning Board, is intended to avoid disturbance to environmentally sensitive beach dune vegetation on the ocean side of A1A, city staff said. Mariela Overdorf, a planning intern in the Development Services Department, told the council the ordinance “will ensure the protection of environmentally sensitive land dunes and dune vegetation, which exist on the east side of A1A.”
Staff said Chapter 23 of the code currently requires sidewalks along arterials and collectors and sets an 8-foot sidewalk standard for certain corridors, including A1A. Overdorf told the board and council that the amendment clarifies that the installation or widening of sidewalks shall not be required for development or redevelopment of any property on the east side of A1A north of Palmetto Park Road. She noted the change does not prevent a public agency or private owner from installing a sidewalk in the future if they obtain required permits.
During its Nov. 21, 2024 meeting the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval by a 4-1 vote; staff recommended adoption to the council. Overdorf said the amendment aligns with comprehensive-plan policies that protect dunes and dune vegetation and Advances the city’s quality-of-life strategic focus area. She also said the Florida Department of Transportation indicated its future plans are not proposing continuous sidewalks on both sides of A1A.
Council member Nacklis moved to adopt the ordinance; the second was noted but not named on the record. The roll call vote recorded Mayor Singer, Deputy Mayor Drucker, Council member Nacklis, Council member Thompson and Council member Wachter voting yes. The motion passed 5 to 0.
The ordinance modifies the city sidewalk policy in the code to exempt the specified area from mandatory sidewalk installation or widening; the exemption applies to development or redevelopment on the east side of A1A north of Palmetto Park Road. The city clerk announced the ordinance passed and recorded the vote as five yes votes with no opposition.
Because the text amendment is framed as code clarification tied to environmental protections and aligns with prior Planning & Zoning Board recommendations, council members asked whether any condo associations or property owners on the east side had weighed in; staff said they had not received feedback. The council took no further amendments and adopted the ordinance.
The ordinance will be codified in Chapter 23 (Planning and Development) and take effect per the text of the ordinance.
