CRA approves Modera Boca development, adds 8‑foot sidewalk condition; vote 5‑0
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Summary
The Community Redevelopment Agency approved the Modera Boca individual development approval (CRP 2401) for a 12‑story, ~306‑unit building at 400 S. Dixie Highway, granting a technical deviation to reduce parking and adding a condition requiring an 8‑foot sidewalk; the motion passed 5‑0.
The Community Redevelopment Agency of Boca Raton voted 5‑0 on July 14 to approve DDRI/IDA application CRP 2401 (Modera Boca), a proposed 12‑story, 306‑unit multifamily project at 400 South Dixie Highway, as amended to require an 8‑foot sidewalk along Dixie.
City planner Jacob Germen summarized staff’s recommendation and key design elements, saying the proposal would “redevelop the approximately 1.7 acre property” with a 12‑story, roughly 416,137‑square‑foot building and a seven‑level internal parking structure. Staff supported a technical deviation reducing required off‑street parking from 538 spaces to 468 based on the project’s unit mix and Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) trip‑generation rates.
The developer representative, Ellie Zacharaitis, described pedestrian‑focused design and a proffered park on an adjacent city lot that the applicant would improve and maintain. Zacharaitis said the team had “checked all 3 boxes” — design, pedestrian realm and park provision — and asked the board to approve the IDA. She also confirmed the project is rental housing and told the board the team hopes to submit for building permits later this month.
Members of the public offered both praise and concerns. Supporters said the project would bring housing to downtown and improve Dixie Highway. Opponents said the building was too large and too tall for the area and questioned traffic and public‑services impacts; Monique Rambo told the board she opposed the project “as it stands today,” calling it “too large, too high” and saying it did not fit the character she expects in downtown Boca Raton.
In deliberations, commissioners emphasized pedestrian improvements and bicycle amenities as project benefits. The board first voted to amend the IDA to specify an 8‑foot sidewalk along South Dixie Highway and then approved the application as amended. The roll call recorded five yes votes (Singer, Drucker, Thompson, Noklis, Wigter); the motion passed 5‑0.
The IDA approval includes: authorization for the 12‑story, ~306‑unit residential building; an integrated parking structure with one below‑grade level; a technical deviation reducing parking by 70 spaces (538 required → 468 proposed); abandonment of two easements; and transfers/conversions of office‑equivalent development across downtown subareas per the DDRI development order. The developer also proffered to improve and maintain a roughly 0.12‑acre adjacent city lot as a public park, with improvement costs described by the applicant as approximately $300,000 and a continuing maintenance obligation.
Next steps: the board’s approval as amended authorizes the IDA; staff and the developer will proceed with permit submittals and follow any remaining conditions in the IDA. The CRA scheduled a follow‑up workshop and staff said it will provide written answers to outstanding public questions about park hours, tree relocation, transit contributions and other conditions.
