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Boca Raton CRA unanimously approves Altier Jewelers redevelopment at 641 South Federal Highway
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Summary
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on April 13 approved an individual development approval for the Altier Jewelers Project (641 South Federal Highway), authorizing a conversion from office to retail medium, a 575-square-foot addition, sidewalk and landscape improvements and closure of an exit-only driveway. Vote: 5-0.
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on April 13 unanimously adopted resolution DDRI IDA CRP9605R2 authorizing the Altier Jewelers Project at 641 South Federal Highway.
The vote, 5-0, approved converting an existing vacant office/bank building to retail medium, constructing a roughly 575-square-foot addition and making related site improvements including closing an exit-only driveway on South Federal Highway and widening the Federal Highway sidewalk to 8 feet. "Staff recommends approval of the application for the following reasons," senior planner Jacob Behrman said during his presentation, noting the proposal complies with the DDRI development order and applicable ordinances.
Staff and applicant officials said the project keeps downtown development patterns, improves pedestrian access and reduces a conflict point on Federal Highway. Behrman said the 0.43-acre property would see its building area increase from 4,960 square feet to 5,535 square feet, provide 24 parking spaces and supply 4,263 square feet of open space, above the 1,543 square feet required by the code. The project was previously considered by the Community Appearance Board (recommended 5-0 on Dec. 2, 2025) and the Planning & Zoning Board (recommended 7-0 on Feb. 19, 2026).
Applicant attorney David Millage told commissioners the plan also removes a drive-through and closes the conflict-prone exit-only driveway, noting "FDOT agrees that this should be closed," and said the design changes align with downtown aesthetics. Millage added the proposal retains much of the site's existing vegetation to buffer adjacent properties. "I think this is gonna be a a great conversion and rehab of this vacant building," Millage said.
Commissioner Sippel questioned staff about a long-standing roof encroachment that predated current approvals; development services staff confirmed the prior encroachment existed and agreed to include a finding in the IDA acknowledging the nonconformity so it is not interpreted as precedent for the current review. City attorneys confirmed the agreed insertion could be included without amending the motion.
The board voted by roll call: Vice Chair Drucker, Commissioner Grau, Commissioner Perlman, Commissioner Sippel and Chair Thompson all recorded "yes." The motion passed 5-0 and the resolution was adopted. The resolution text as read includes an effective date; the transcript does not specify the effective date.
