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Boca Raton CRA adopts amended IDA for downtown 'concierge' multifamily project
Summary
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on April 24 approved an amendment to IDA CRP‑17‑01 R2 to replace a previously approved adult congregate living facility with a 9‑story, 42‑unit multifamily building, including double‑stack mechanical valet parking; the vote was 5‑0 after staff and boards recommended approval and one public commenter raised Live Local and EV parking concerns.
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency voted 5‑0 on April 24 to adopt an amendment to IDA number CRP‑17‑01 R2, clearing the way for a 9‑story, 42‑unit multifamily building at about 22 Southeast 6th Street in downtown Boca Raton.
Susan Lesser, senior planner with the Development Services Department, told the board the amendment would convert a previously approved 88‑unit adult congregate living facility into a 42‑unit, nine‑story multifamily structure totaling about 125,841 square feet with 20,893 square feet of structured parking. The design includes 60 double‑stack mechanical valet parking spaces, a maximum structural height of roughly 100 feet and a maximum height of about 116 feet including architectural features. Lesser said staff supports the amendment and that the Community Appearance Board (5‑0) and the Planning and Zoning Board (6‑0) both recommended approval.
“The proposed amendment … seeks to instead develop a 9 story, 42 unit, multifamily residential building,” Lesser said during the staff presentation.
Applicant representative Ellie Zacharitis displayed renderings and described ground‑floor activation: a lobby, outdoor seating and a covered entry along Southeast 6th Street. “Staff recommended approval and we’re here to answer any questions,” Zacharitis said.
During questions, commissioners sought confirmation on electric‑vehicle (EV) parking. The project provides six EV spaces out of the total 74 spaces required and staff confirmed the proposal complies with existing code requirements; staff also reported the traffic division had no objection and that the previously approved technical deviation that had reduced required parking would be eliminated.
A resident who identified himself on the record as Jonathan Anjean raised policy objections during public comment, saying the downtown proposal results in roughly 69 units per acre and questioned why the city’s Live Local ordinance, which establishes a much lower units‑per‑acre threshold and an affordability requirement, would not apply similarly in the downtown area. “What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander and the rest of the city,” Anjean said, urging consistent application of housing rules and raising additional questions about EV‑parking details.
After brief discussion — a commissioner noted a potential safety concern at one curbside parking location adjacent to the drop‑off — Mayor Singer moved to adopt the amendment and Council member Wigder seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed 5‑0.
The adopted amendment modifies the previously approved site plan and conditions for the site, changes unit mix and sizes compared with the prior adult congregate plan, and restores required parking counts by removing a prior technical deviation. Staff noted the transfer of authorized development is adjusted so that approximately 179,445 square feet of office‑equivalent development would remain in Downtown Sub Area G and approximately 0 square feet would remain in Sub Area F under the amended calculation.
Next steps: with the CRA’s adoption of the amendment, the applicant may proceed under the amended IDA; staff and boards will continue to monitor code compliance and any building permits or subsequent administrative approvals will follow established city review processes.
