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Planning board approves Martin Manor amendment to add public museum space
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Summary
The Planning and Zoning Board voted 5-0 to approve a universal conditional-use amendment allowing a museum and community space in the 1940s building at Martin Manor, part of a redevelopment at 1350 N. Dixie Highway; staff had recommended approval and public comment supported the project.
The Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously on Nov. 6 to approve a universal conditional-use amendment for the Martin Manor redevelopment at 1350 North Dixie Highway that will allow a museum open to the public within an existing 1940s building on the property.
Planner II Jacob Girmen told the board the 10.04-acre site, adjacent to Hughes Park, already had an approved conditional use for a nursery and after-school program; the new amendment would permit an additional institution of an educational or philanthropic character. Girmen said approximately 1,980 square feet of the 1940s building would be dedicated to museum exhibits about the history of Dixie Manor, with remaining space serving residents as community center amenities. Development Services staff found the proposal met conditional-use criteria and recommended approval.
The petitioner’s representative, Ellie Zacharitis, was sworn and confirmed that the museum would be open to the public — the feature that triggered the additional conditional-use requirement. Local resident Glenn Groen spoke in favor of the project, calling it compatible with the neighborhood and expressing hope the building facade will be upgraded.
After closing public comment, the board moved to approve the amendment. A roll-call vote recorded five affirmative votes and the motion passed 5-0. The board did not attach additional conditions related to the museum space beyond those already addressed in earlier site-plan approvals.
The approval authorizes the institution-of-educational-or-philanthropic-character use within the R-5-A multifamily zoning district; the proposal will still proceed to any other procedural steps required by the city before building permits and alterations take place. No council-level appeal was recorded during the hearing.
The board’s action was procedural and limited to land-use approval; project details such as final exhibit content, museum hours, and specific facade treatments were described as to be determined by the property owner.
