Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Boca Raton council adopts zoning change to make certain affordable/workforce housing projects more feasible
Summary
City council adopted a staff-initiated text amendment to Section 28-16-44 (Ordinance 57,753) to allow a combination of on-site and nearby off-site nonresidential uses to satisfy CIMD requirements; the council approved the change 5–0.
The Boca Raton City Council unanimously adopted a text amendment to the city’s CIMD (Commercial/Industrial/Mixed-Use District) regulations designed to make some affordable and workforce housing projects feasible in planned mobility districts.
Staff said the existing code unintentionally prevented developers from counting a combination of on-site and off-site nonresidential square footage when determining whether a proposed CIMD met the ordinance’s mix‑of‑uses requirement. Peter Begovich, senior planner, explained the amendment allows a third locational criterion: when a CIMD is within a quarter mile of existing nonresidential uses, and the project includes a nonresidential component on-site or constructed concurrently, the combined total can meet the 25,000 square-foot threshold — with at least 10,000 square feet of retail/restaurant included. Staff said the fix preserves the ordinance’s intent while providing reasonable flexibility where the market has fewer on-site opportunities.
John Perlman and other public commenters criticized the change as developer-driven and warned it could erode ground-floor retail requirements; supporters and some council members said the amendment helps deliver affordable housing under the state’s Live Local framework without forcing construction of unneeded office space.
Council member Wigdier moved adoption and Council member Drucker seconded; the motion passed by roll-call vote, 5–0. Staff said they will codify the amendment and publish the updated code text.
What it means: The amendment preserves the city’s objective of mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods while allowing applicants to count a mix of nearby existing office space and on-site retail/restaurant when proving the required nonresidential square footage, which staff argued will make larger CIMD proposals financially viable in some locations.
