Board of Adjustment approves variance for Panda Express at former Boston Market site

The City of Margate Board of Adjustment voted April 7 to approve a variance application allowing Panda Express to renovate the former Boston Market building at 5681 W. Atlantic Boulevard and continue a drive-through use. Staff recommended approval, and the motion passed unanimously with one member absent.

Christopher Gratz, senior planner in the development services department, told the board the property predates the city's redevelopment standards and is tightly constrained between a bank, Chipotle and Walmart. Gratz said the applicant seeks relief from several site-design requirements — including the urban greenway, terminal landscape islands and perimeter landscape strips — because complying would require removing significant building area or parking. "In my professional recommendation, that we should recommend approval of this," Gratz said, summarizing staff's findings that special circumstances and the minimum-variance principle were met.

Applicant attorney Matthew Scott said his client worked with city staff over more than a year to minimize needed relief and to improve the site's appearance. "The project's in the city's CRA," he said, arguing the renovation would replace an eyesore with a renewed commercial presence and help the community's redevelopment objectives. Board members asked whether the project would gut the interior while keeping the exterior shell; Scott confirmed the interior will be fully renovated and staff said healthy trees will be preserved when possible.

Public commenters supported the project. Commissioner Tommy Rosano, who lives near the site, said he received the mailed notice and urged approval: "I received the mailer which goes out, I think, 1,500 feet from the project," Rosano said, noting residents want the abandoned building repurposed. Neighbor Rich Zucchini called the property "probably the pure definition of blight" and said approving the variance is appropriate for reinvestment.

The board voted to approve the application "with all findings and conditions as provided for in the staff report," and the city attorney recorded the outcome. The approval is final for the Board of Adjustment unless appealed to the city commission.