Opponents of Boca Raton’s downtown redevelopment plan secured a victory last week. Sorting out that victory, though, will be complicated.
One certainty is that the city council will not vote as previously planned next month on the final master plan for Terra/Frisbie’s proposal to transform the 30 acres around City Hall. That timetable increasingly seemed unrealistic. It became unworkable when Terra/Frisbie announced major revisions that will require a new staff review.
Council members also agreed to a public vote on whatever plan they might approve. This vote would be separate from what seems a likely referendum on the March 10 ballot that would change the city charter to require “a referendum election” on the lease or sale of more than one-half acre of public land.
Here’s where the complications start.
The council directed staff to draft a ballot question on the Terra/Frisbie project. If it’s on the March ballot, voters would decide on Save Boca’s proposal that would have killed the project and decide whether to approve the same project.
In addition, Florida law limits ballot summaries to 75 words. That works for the proposed charter change, but how could the city summarize a multi-faceted plan in a way that voters could understand?
Andy Thomson was the only council member to vote against the interim master plan. Even before last week, he had called for a vote on any plan. I asked how the city might craft such a ballot proposal. Thomson said, “I leave it to our capable city attorney.”
Thomson also suggested another scenario. In addition to the proposed charter change, Save Boca is collecting signatures for an ordinance—a local rule. Such an ordinance would go to the council, which could accept or reject it.
But the council, Thomson said, also could revise the ordinance in a way that pleases Save Boca but isn’t as restrictive as the charter language. Council members and city administrators believe that Save Boca’s charter change would require public votes on transactions as mundane as renewing leases with non-profit groups and granting utility easements.
Doing so would require cooperation between the city and Save Boca. Council members expressed hope last week for a more collaborative approach to downtown redevelopment. It’s unclear whether Save Boca organizers agree.
A city spokeswoman acknowledged that, because of ballot rules, the wording on a referendum about the plan will “only capture the project’s key points.” All supporting documents about the plan, she said, will be available through the city clerk’s office and on the city’s website, “giving voters a chance to review all details in advance.”
That scenario would favor opponents of any plan that involves private investment. Those who favor such investment would have to educate themselves on what will be pages and pages of technical details, especially regarding money.
Then there’s the question of whether a vote on the plan could be ready for the March ballot, which also will include a vote on bonds for a police station. Terra/Frisbie’s revised plan includes tennis courts that the city was going to build at Meadows Park. It includes keeping the Singing Pines Museum downtown. The city had planned it for Meadows, too. Staff will need time to review it.
Terra/Frisbie has agreed to the vote. That consent should prevent any potential litigation over the council adding the referendum requirement, which was not part of the approval of the interim master plan.
Terra/Frisbie will hold open houses on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. A spokeswoman said, “The team remains focused on working with the council and community on the project and developing a project that is supported and needed by the community.”
Clarification on Boca mayoral campaign PACs
I wrote last week about the political action committees supporting Thomson and Councilwoman Fran Nachlas in their campaigns for mayor. Thomson’s money is coming through another PAC controlled by his consultant.
A $10,000 donation to that committee came from David Frisbie. He is a co-founder of Frisbie Group, which is part of the downtown redevelopment venture. When I noted that the same committee is supporting other candidates Thomson said that money “was not for me. I have not solicited [David Frisbie].”
Thomson also was the only council member to favor a contract provision that would have prevented Terra/Frisbie from participating in local elections.
Examining claims of geographical bias against city council
Save Boca supporters, most of whom live east of Interstate 95, see geographic bias in the council majority’s support for the Terra/Frisbie plan and the quick timetable. The accusation may or may not have merit, but you can see where it comes from.
This council, which took over last year, is the first to have no member living east of I-95. When Scott Singer was elected in 2018, he became the first mayor to live west of I-95.
I used MapQuest to determine how far council members live from City Hall, meaning the target area for downtown redevelopment. Thomson is the closest at 5 miles. Singer and Nachlas are next, at roughly 6 miles. Yvette Drucker and Marc Wigder are the farthest. They live 8 miles away.
Perception may not be reality, but that distance is one reason why East Boca resident Meredith Madsen has filed paperwork to challenge Wigder in March for Seat B. She believes that her side of the city is “unrepresented.”
Christen Ritchey and Robert Weinroth, who for now are unopposed for open seats A and D, respectively, are east side residents. Ritchey lives in the Harbour East subdivision and Weinroth lives in the Alina condo downtown.
Boca City Manager recommends new uses for former turtle rehab space
City Manager George Brown is asking council members to “discontinue turtle rehabilitation and veterinary hospital operations” at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and find a different use for that space.
In June, the Coastal Stewards ended the rehab program that it took over from Boca Raton in April 2023. It took another 13 months to get the required state permits and hire staff. Last week, the group announced that it would disband, citing “increasing challenges,” meaning an inability to raise enough money. Most of its remaining assets will go to the George Snow Scholarship Fund.
Much at Gumbo Limbo remains unchanged. The city still runs all the other activities, including the resident sea turtle and nesting programs. But the gift shop, which the Coastal Stewards ran, is closed. The rehab space is vacant.
In his memo to the council, Brown said the city “engaged Loggerhead Marinelife Center [in Juno Beach] to explore a potential collaboration” and take over what the Stewards had run. After visiting, Loggerhead determined that such a collaboration would require a $750,000 city subsidy “in addition to the city providing fully operational facilities and equipment.”
Island Water Sports then expressed interest in running the gift shop. As a result, the staff last month began advertising for bidders, as the law requires.
Despite criticism of the city’s decision two years ago, Brown said the staff still recommends against putting Boca Raton back into the rehab business. Such work, Brown said, is “resource-intensive.” He favors “repurposing” the space for “immersive, science-based exhibits.”
Among those under consideration are a reptile habitat, displays about mangroves and invasive species, more varied use of the marine tanks and installation of a shark and stingray tank with mangrove displays. That would cost $250,000.
Delray Beach rescinds legal challenge against Pride intersection removal
During a hastily called special meeting Thursday, the Delray Beach City Commission reversed its decision two days earlier to challenge the state’s interpretation of the rule by which the Florida Department of Transportation had ordered the removal of the city’s LGBTQ Pride intersection.
Mayor Tom Carney called the meeting and pushed for the change. He had been the only vote against Tuesday’s action. Carney argued that the purpose of the challenge had been to obtain a stay of the order. The state then sent workers to remove the intersection. Work was to be finished Monday.
To continue the legal fight, Carney said, would be “a reckless expenditure” of public money and risk the state withholding perhaps $60 million in transportation and environmental financing just because “it makes us feel good.”
Commissioner Rob Long disagreed. He argued that the state’s action did not eliminate “the rationale” behind the challenge. As to the funding risk, Long cited state law that he believed would prohibit any such retaliation.
City Attorney Lynn Gelin advised that the city had little chance of succeeding. She noted, though, that Delray Beach might benefit if Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach—whose challenge Delray Beach would have joined—prevail. Gelin said, “It’s a battle over principle,” meaning home rule—the principle that local governments can decide local issues.
Commissioners Angela Burns and Thomas Markert switched their votes from Tuesday, when they had joined Long. Markert cited the “situational change” from the state’s removal of the street art.
“No one is happy” about the place where the city finds itself, Carney said. He called the state’s action “overreach.” Attention will turn to creation of something to symbolize Delray Beach’s message of inclusivity but be beyond the reach of what one speaker called “the bully,” meaning Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Delray politics return to form
I noted that the Tuesday debate was passionate but never personal. That wasn’t the case Tuesday.
Perhaps the new factor was the presence of Commissioner Juli Casale, who had been absent Tuesday. Casale accused Long of being “disrespectful,” and things devolved. Said Long, “You always have to make it personal.” Long defeated Casale in their 2023 commission race.
FAU professor placed on leave over Charlie Kirk comments
According to a report in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Florida Atlantic University has placed a tenured professor on leave for social media posts related to last week’s killing of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
FAU President Adam Hasner issued a statement Saturday: “It is our expectation that all employees consistently pursue the university’s mission and values to promote higher education, cultivate academic excellence, and support the personal growth of our students.”
The Sun Sentinel reported that the faculty member in question is Karen Leader. She is an associate professor of art history. I’ll have more as developments warrant.
Boca P&Z board recommends approval of retail project
During its Sept. 4 meeting, the Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of 10,000-square-foot retail element that finally would complete a mixed-use project at 6700 Congress Avenue.
The developer had obtained approval for 282 apartments, which have been open for several years. But the failure to build the retail portion led to a long dispute between the developer and the city. The board’s vote was unanimous, with two members saying how much the area needs the project.
Boca Raton recreation permits now available
Boca Raton has advised residents that they can apply for 2025-2026 permits to allow access to beach parks, the boat launch, the dog park and the dog beach.
Buyers must show residence and proof of ownership of the vehicle that the permit would cover. Residents can buy permits in person at the downtown community center and the community centers at Sugar Sand Park and the Swim & Racquet Club. Those who have purchased a permit within the last two years can renew online here.
