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Boca Raton council approves conditional use and site plan for 3‑story fitness center at former resort property
Summary
After staff and advisory boards recommended approval, the City Council unanimously adopted two resolutions authorizing a three‑story, member‑only fitness center at 501 E. Camino Real. Residents raised questions about construction access and historic agreements; applicant said no change to the Meisner Boulevard service entrance is proposed.
The Boca Raton City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a pair of quasi‑judicial actions to allow a three‑story, roughly 31,695‑square‑foot fitness center at the former Boca Raton Resort property at 501 East Camino Real.
Development Services senior planner Owen Devlin presented staff findings and told the council the application met applicable code and the comprehensive plan. He said the building would be located internal to the site adjacent to the golf clubhouse, would not increase on‑site activities or required parking, and would be limited to resort members and hotel guests.
Bonnie Misckel, counsel for the applicant, showed revised elevations that the Community Appearance Board had recommended and emphasized design choices intended to align the new building with the resort’s existing Mediterranean materials and colors. Misckel said the third floor is stepped back on the golf‑course side so the building reads as two stories from that view.
Residents who spoke during the public hearing raised concerns about how the project would be built and whether the property’s Meisner Boulevard service entrance could be used for construction traffic. Stephanie Rosenzweig, who identified herself as a nearby resident, warned that converting a service entrance to a construction route could conflict with the city’s Complete Streets and Vision Zero commitments and urged the council to preserve pedestrian safety. Joseph Pajalski questioned whether a 99‑year private agreement affecting hotel facilities had been assigned and whether the assignment was in the city’s public records.
Misckel responded that the applicant is not requesting any change to the Meisner Boulevard access and that the condition governing that entrance will continue to be followed. Development Services staff said the city does not enforce private agreements and was unaware of the particular document referenced by a public speaker.
After questions from council members about traffic and the future use of the existing fitness building, the council voted to adopt Resolution 12‑2026 (conditional use approval) and Resolution 13‑2026 (site plan approval), each by roll call vote of 5‑0.
The approvals include the conditions outlined in the accompanying resolutions; the applicant told the council staff and boards recommended approval subject to those conditions. The council closed the public hearing and the matter is now subject to any available appeals rights outlined in the city’s quasi‑judicial procedures.
