Council approves Martin Manor redevelopment with condition to preserve at least one 1940s building if outside funding is secured

Deputy Mayor Yvette Trucker presided over a heated public hearing Tuesday that ended with the Boca Raton City Council approving the land‑use package to redevelop Dixie Manor as the 95‑unit "Residences at Martin Manor." The vote was 5‑0 after councilmembers added an amendment requiring the applicant to make good‑faith efforts to secure third‑party funding to preserve at least one of the existing 1940s buildings for historical purposes.

The council considered a universal conditional future‑land‑use amendment, rezoning from R‑3 to R‑5A, site‑plan approval for three three‑story buildings totaling 95 low‑income units (about 99,926 square feet of residential space), a 4,265‑square‑foot clubhouse and reductions in vehicular parking and EV‑installed spaces. Jacob German, planner for the city, told the council staff supports the variances and technical deviations because the project replaces 95 substandard units with new affordable housing and includes conditions to protect tenant rights during construction.

The nut graf: the developer and the Boca Raton Housing Authority pitched the project as an urgent opportunity to deliver modern affordable housing to long‑term Dixie Manor residents and meet state funding milestones; opponents pressed for stronger preservation and accessibility commitments. In response the council accepted a narrowly written…