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Resident Jonathan Unjian urges council to reconsider site-plan amendment, calls out ‘spot zoning’ and affordable-housing bonus
Summary
At a Boca Raton workshop on Oct. 21, resident Jonathan Unjian criticized the handling of a nearby Dan Berg project, saying a minor site-plan amendment took 27 months and accusing city decisions to grant density bonuses near the Tri-Rail site of undermining state affordable-housing aims.
At a Boca Raton City Council workshop on Oct. 21, resident Jonathan Unjian used the public-comment period to press the council on the pace and substance of approvals for a nearby Dan Berg project, saying a minor site-plan amendment had taken “27 months” to move through city processes.
"27 months to do a minor site plan amendment and to build 8,000 square feet for these developers who build 289,000 square feet in under 15 months ... is a very long time," Unjian said, arguing the delay was out of step with how other larger projects were processed.
Unjian also criticized recent density increases proposed at a Tri-Rail site, saying the Planning & Zoning board had effectively approved 42 units per acre — “over 50% more” than the 25 units-per-acre benchmark he cited — by granting bonuses for affordable housing. He described the forthcoming amendment as "spot zoning," arguing it applies only to a single property and risks creating inconsistent treatment across the district.
"I think they're thumbing their nose at the direction and the desire of the state, which is to build more affordable housing," Unjian said, referring to state incentives he identified as the Live Local Act and expressing skepticism that the bonuses would deliver "meaningful affordable housing".
The council did not take action on the comments during the workshop. The mayor closed public requests and said council members could raise questions about tomorrow night’s regular agenda items; with no questions raised at the workshop, the mayor said those items would be taken up at the next meeting.
Why it matters: Unjian’s comments touch on how Boca Raton applies density bonuses and processes site-plan amendments — issues that affect housing supply, neighborhood character and the city’s implementation of state housing policy. If the amendment that prompted the comment advances on the council or planning schedule, the concerns raised in public comment may surface again in formal hearings.
