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Boca Raton residents press CRA over Camino Square, government‑campus and downtown redevelopment plans
Summary
Multiple Boca Raton residents urged the Community Redevelopment Agency to slow or rework proposed downtown and government‑campus projects—especially Camino Square—citing height, density, lost commercial promises and traffic and emergency‑access concerns; the CRA said it is reviewing commercial mix and pilot mobility projects and will follow up with staff.
Several Boca Raton residents used the CRA public‑comment period to press officials to reconsider elements of proposed downtown projects, particularly a planned change to the Camino Square development and the broader government‑campus plan.
Pam Paschke, who gave her address as 341 Southwest 2nd Street, said the proposed development agreement change for Camino Square would replace earlier promises that part of the parcel be limited to three‑story buildings with retail and shops. "Now they're proposing to put in 8‑story buildings," Paschke said, arguing that the taller structures would back up to existing two‑story multifamily residences and calling the change "unwise." She also accused the developer of neglecting the parcel in past years and questioned staff recommendations to the council.
Other residents echoed concerns about height, density and traffic. Steve Zumtobel said Camino Gardens and Carriage Hill already experience difficult ingress and egress and warned that the Palmetto proposal "is going to gut up Palmetto" and exacerbate emergency‑access risks. Tim White and Barry Freeman described loss of green space and downtown character from continued infill and growth.
Resident Mike Liebelson urged the council to require developers' attorneys who have engaged in ex parte contacts to register as lobbyists and flagged the Save Boca petition, noting an upcoming Jan. 13 vote that could require voter approval for sale or lease of public land. "I think it's impossible" to finalize ballot language and a complete agreement by the Dec. 5 deadline for a March ballot, he said, and suggested the council consider pausing major decisions until new council members take office.
Chair Wigtor acknowledged residents' concerns, said the CRA is "listening" and noted staff and consultant work on the downtown plan and Palmetto Park Road connectivity. He said the CRA has asked developers to increase commercial floor area in some projects and that planners are testing mobility solutions such as Boca Connect and a shuttle pilot to reduce car trips downtown. The chair asked staff to follow up on traffic timing at the Palmetto Park Road rail crossing and to confer offline with residents about legal questions such as rights of first refusal.
The CRA did not take any formal votes during the meeting; the chair closed public requests and adjourned at 10:43 a.m. The agency said it will continue planning and invited residents to meet with staff for more detailed discussions.
