Council transmits Northwest 5th Avenue right‑of‑way map amendment to state review

The Boca Raton City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 24 to transmit Ordinance 5702, a city‑initiated amendment to the comprehensive plan’s thoroughfare right‑of‑way protection map for a roughly 1,301‑foot segment of Northwest 5th Avenue. Senior planner Peter Begovich explained the ordinance would reduce right‑of‑way protection for that segment from 100 feet to 90 feet, a 10‑foot reduction intended to reflect recorded platting and existing encroachments.

Begovich said two development projects are directly affected: a minor site plan amendment for the French American School (located at or near 2500 Northwest 5th Avenue) that would increase enrollment capacity, and a new 120‑unit multifamily project called the Villas on Fifth Avenue (around 2600 Northwest 5th Avenue). By reducing the mapped right‑of‑way from 100 to 90 feet, the required dedication from the two projects would fall from 50 feet to 14 feet, minimizing parking and site‑plan impacts and allowing additional dwelling units or site improvements to be built, staff said.

Begovich summarized historical platting that left portions of the roadway and the El Rio Canal dedication at different widths and noted municipal services provided exhibits showing the relationship of recorded dedications to the current roadway. Municipal staff found the amendment consistent with the comprehensive plan; the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval 5–1 and development services recommended transmittal. With transmittal the amendment goes to the state Department of Economic Opportunity for review, and adoption hearings and related rezoning/site‑plan hearings will return to the council after state review.

Council moved, seconded and voted 5–0 to transmit the map amendment.