News

By Steve Plunkett
    
    Boca Raton officials are reviewing plans for a second, four-story residence on the ocean east of A1A.
    Vero Beach-based civil engineers Schulke, Bittle & Stoddard LLC designed a 14,270-square-foot duplex for the 0.42-acre parcel at 2600 N. Ocean Blvd.
    The city’s Planning Advisory Review was notified of the oceanfront development proposal at its April 5 meeting. The Planning Advisory Review consists of representatives from city departments and noncity agencies who meet regularly to discuss proposals for development.
    The plans for 2600 N. Ocean were sent to the city just as the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District was deciding not to pursue buying undeveloped parcels on the beach. It had developed a list of possible purchases, with 2600 N. Ocean Blvd. seeming to be the most available, after being asked to do so by Mayor Susan Haynie.
    Her request followed a public outcry after the City Council approved variances for a 10,432-square-foot mega-mansion at 2500 N. Ocean Blvd. Residents said the four-story structure would change the face of the beach, disorient sea turtles and set an unwelcome precedent for development.
    “If sellers know that you are in the market for property and this is your goal, trying to acquire property for market value is going to be extremely difficult. You’re going to be paying somewhat of a very unknown premium,” Arthur Koski, the district’s interim executive director, said at the district’s April 4 meeting.
    “I have little interest in using tax dollars to buy noncontiguous pieces,” Commissioner Dennis Frisch said. “Public property that people can’t access and use in my opinion would be a waste of the funds that we have.”
    Details of the larger structure proposed for 2600 N. Ocean have not been discussed in public. The parcel is owned by Grand Bank National Association. The submission is considered “preliminary” and was done to obtain general comments about whether the proposal meets the city’s development requirements or can be supported by city staff.
    Janet Graham, part-owner along with other residents of Northeast 24th Street of a beach access corridor east of A1A, told the beach and park district in February that she is not interested in selling her portion for public use.
    Al Petruzzelli, her uncle, who owns a duplex next to the pathway and just north of the district’s Ocean Strand parcel, also is not willing to sell, Graham said.