Residents urge scaled-back plan for Camino Real phase 2, citing traffic and neighborhood fit

At the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on Oct. 27, Boca Raton residents raised objections to proposed changes to the Camino Real phase 2 plan that would replace originally planned low-rise retail with taller residential buildings and structured parking.

Pam Paschke, who lives at 341 Southwest 2nd Street, said the original approval anticipated low-rise retail next to an eight-story residential block and that the new proposal to build additional 8-story apartments and a 7-story parking garage on remaining parcels "was not anticipated when the original approval came through." She told commissioners that two-story multifamily buildings immediately north of the parcel would face an "8 story monstrosity" that she described as inappropriate and harmful to neighborhood character.

Lehi Wilson (649 Southwest 14th Street) presented diagrams and photographs and focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety at Camino Square, saying existing sidewalks are narrow (6 feet) and a high-speed right-turn lane and an unsignalized crossing create dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. He described multiple informal U-turn paths and hedge encroachments that, in his view, would be exacerbated by additional residential density.

Both speakers urged the CRA and staff to treat the change in land use and scale as a material change from the original approvals and to review traffic and pedestrian infrastructure before permitting higher-intensity residential development. The chair and staff invited speakers to the following workshop for more in-depth discussion and encouraged residents to talk with staff.