Boca Raton planning board approves Steiger Plaza site plan with technical deviations

The Boca Raton Planning & Zoning Board voted 4‑0 on June 6 to approve the Steiger Plaza site plan, clearing plans for a second‑story addition and related site improvements at 1395 North Federal Highway.

Owen Devlin, GIS planner with Development Services, told the board staff recommended approval of the application and both requested technical deviations. "Staff has recommended approval of this technical deviation," he said, describing one deviation to reduce the required driveway reservoir depth and a second to allow existing off‑site vehicle circulation because the parcel is narrow and cannot contain all vehicle movements on site. Devlin said the project includes an 8‑foot sidewalk along North Federal Highway, a 6‑foot sidewalk along Northeast 14th Street, and additional street trees to improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility.

The applicant proposes a 3,633‑square‑foot second‑story addition to an existing 5,429‑square‑foot one‑story building, for a total building area noted in the record as about 8,675 square feet, and the demolition of a portion of the first floor (the transcript lists the demolished area as "3 87" square feet; the record does not clarify the exact figure). The approximately 0.97‑acre site would contain retail on the first floor and medical and general offices above, according to the applicant.

Steve Brandt, the project's architect, presented renderings and a short video and said the design "is a real compliment to the area," noting the building is scaled to fit between taller neighboring properties. Staff emphasized that the trip generation for the new uses is expected to be low and that existing driveway connections along Northeast 14th Street would remain; staff recommended a one‑way internal circulation pattern and signage to improve on‑site movement.

A board member asked whether the cross‑access agreement with the neighboring property to the south would be implemented as part of the work; Devlin said prior development orders require the neighbor to construct to the property line and that each property owner would be responsible for obtaining permits for their portion of the cross‑access connection.

After closing the public hearing (no public speakers beyond the petitioner), a motion to approve the site plan and the two technical deviations was made and seconded. The board approved the motion by roll call, recorded as a 4‑0 vote in favor. There was no director's report, and the board adjourned at 6:13 p.m.

The approval allows the applicant to pursue final permits and required construction approvals; the record does not list a scheduled building permit submittal or construction start date.