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CRA approves 9-story, 28-unit building at 280 E. Palmetto Park Road
Summary
The Boca Raton CRA approved an individual development approval (IDA CRP-2302) to replace a vacant bank with a nine-story, 28-unit residential building at 280 E. Palmetto Park Road after staff and the applicant described design, parking and easement changes and after residents raised concerns about privacy and pedestrian access. Vote was 5–0.
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Aug. 26 approved an individual development approval (IDA CRP-2302) to replace a vacant bank at 280 E. Palmetto Park Road with a nine‑story, 28‑unit multifamily building.
Jacob Grama, planner for the city’s Development Services Department, told the CRA the project would demolish an existing roughly 8,665‑square‑foot building and construct an approximately 112,249‑square‑foot residential building (152,723 square feet total including parking), with two levels of below‑grade parking totaling about 40,474 square feet. The plan calls for 61 parking spaces, including 44 provided as 22 two‑car garages and additional non‑reserved spaces. Staff said the application meets the DDRI development order, provides the required open space (projected 11,346 sq ft vs. required 10,958 sq ft) and recommended approval after prior advisory board and planning board recommendations.
Applicant representative David Millich said the design relocates the primary vehicular access to SE 3rd Avenue, proposes streetscape and sidewalk improvements on Palmetto Park Road, SE 3rd Avenue and East Royal Palm Road, and seeks abandonment of a 10‑foot utility easement that conflicts with the proposed building footprint. Architect George Garcia described a contemporary design using terraces, glass, stone and stucco intended to activate the street and provide amenity spaces for residents.
During board questions, members sought clarity on creating replacement easements during public‑works review and on EV charging. The applicant said conduit and garage‑ready wiring would be provided to allow resident installation of EV chargers, noting recent state law preempts local requirements for mandatory EV parking.
Three members of the public spoke. David K. said he was pleased to see more downtown housing but urged developers to provide meaningful pedestrian entrances directly from the sidewalk rather than routing access primarily through a garage. Joanne Scheller, who said she lives at 200 E. Palmetto Park Road, opposed the project as architecturally incompatible and expressed concern about privacy and neighborhood density. Another speaker, Jonathan, questioned whether the developer had been asked to include affordable units and criticized downtown density decisions.
Mayor Singer moved to adopt IDA CRP‑2302; Commissioner Wachter seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed 5–0. The board noted resident concerns about views and privacy but said the project meets the applicable DDRI standards.
The CRA will proceed with public‑works review to address utility easement relocation and other engineering conditions noted by staff. No final building permits or easement changes were granted at the meeting; staff said any required easement creation or relocation will be addressed through the public‑works review process.
The quasi‑judicial hearing record for CRP‑2302 is closed; the CRA confirmed the development order and the IDA adoption and moved on to other agency business.
