Residents urge transparency and legal review as council advances interim master plan

Public comment at the May 27 Boca Raton workshop focused on two themes: keeping recreational amenities downtown and demanding transparency and legal compliance in the planning process.

Tennis advocate Judy Morrow (speaker 3) urged the council to "please vote for 8 tennis courts downtown," saying courts bring customers to nearby businesses and contribute to downtown activation.

Dr. Lorraine Blank (speaker 15) told the council she had submitted records requests and concluded the city had not completed environmental assessments or required planning analyses. She said those omissions could violate the city's comprehensive plan and charter and asked the city manager to respond to her letter within five business days. "I respectfully request that no further action be taken on the government campus project until these violations are addressed in full," she said.

John Perlman (speaker 16) asserted the consultant slide comparing existing and proposed active recreational acreage omitted a large grassy meadow, playground and restrooms that are currently available to residents, and asked the council to make negotiation documents publicly available on the redevelopment web page.

Staff responded on procedural points: legal counsel reminded the council materials and agreements are in draft form and that the process remains under council oversight. The council did not resolve the legal allegations during the workshop; staff said it would continue due diligence and provide more detail at upcoming meetings.