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Planning board recommends removing BRIC from Boca Technology Center DRI, 6–0
Summary
The Boca Raton Planning & Zoning Board voted 6–0 on Jan. 6 to recommend an amendment shrinking the Boca Technology Center DRI from 217.5 to 87.9 acres by removing about 129.6 acres, including the Boca Raton Innovation Campus; property owners requested more outreach and information before the council hears the item.
The Boca Raton Planning & Zoning Board on Jan. 6 recommended approval of an amendment to the Boca Technology Center development of regional impact (DRI) that would reduce the DRI from approximately 217.5 acres to approximately 87.9 acres, removing roughly 129.6 acres including the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRIC) and a small utility site.
Senior Planner Peter Begovich told the board staff recommends approval, saying the change “does not create additional regional impact” and that it “neither results in an increase in external peak hour trips nor reduces the amount of open space goals” required by the comprehensive plan. He said roughly 49,000 square feet of office entitlement and a small amount of retail remain in the DRI and that those entitlements stay with the parcels remaining in the DRI.
The petitioner's representative, David Millage, told the board the applicant is not seeking new entitlements and that “there's nothing that we're doing. We're not taking any rights away from them.” Millage said master plans and site‑plan applications for the BRIC property will come forward as separate, later applications.
Property owners and their counsel urged the board to delay its recommendation so owners could review documents and understand who would assume DRI developer responsibilities if BRIC exits. Steve Tilbrook, attorney for GEO Group, said his client and other owners “just found out about this on Friday,” reported they had not received timely mailed notice, and asked the board for a continuance so owners could review the master plan and consult with staff. Centra Homeowners Association president James Matthews and BV Partners representative Patricia Amy said they received late notice and sought meetings with the applicant and staff.
Development Services Director Brandon Shed and the applicant said they are willing to meet with property owners in the weeks before the city council hearing; the applicant warned further delay could push the council schedule into April.
After closing the public hearing, Vice Chair Dornblazer moved and Chair Seville seconded a recommendation of approval. The board approved the motion on a 6–0 roll call. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.
The board’s recommendation does not itself change property entitlements or site plans; staff and the applicant said any future changes to site plans or entitlements would require separate reviews and public hearings.
