BOCA RATON, Fla. — A new 12-story hotel project in Boca Raton was approved by a 4-1 vote by the city's community redevelopment agency on Monday afternoon.
The "Mizner Plaza" hotel project is set to be built on about 1.65 acres along Northeast Second Street, south of Mizner Park.
WATCH BELOW: Boca Raton approves new hotel project
The proposal includes the construction of a two-tower hotel with 219 rooms and two levels of underground parking. The east tower would feature 115 units, while the west tower would have 104 units.
The plans also include 30,804 square feet of restaurant and retail space on the first, second and 12th floors.
The proposal from developers James and Marta Batmasian was pitched as an opportunity to revitalize the area containing a popular shopping center that they constantly referred to as a "game changer" for the city's economic activity.
Opponents to the project, including existing businesses currently at the shopping plaza and people from a nearby condominium tower, said they are concerned about new construction further damaging a building they believe has structural problems.
WATCH BELOW: Residents sound off on opposition to "Mizner Plaza"
Earlier this month, voters rejected the "One Boca" proposal, which would have had the city partner with private developers to redevelop part of the city-owned government campus to create a new city hall, restaurants, shops, office space and a hotel.
Nearly 75% of voters rejected that proposal. A motion to withdraw the item from the agenda, which would allow the new council to decide on the project, was withdrawn once it was clear that support for a motion wasn't present.
Council Member Yvette Drucker said Monday she felt the failed vote in March was a reason to support the Mizner Plaza project. She said people need a place to shop, eat and visit in Boca Raton.
"We need a place for people to go," Drucker said.
Mayor-elect Andy Thomson said he heard concerns from people about getting too big too fast, but was among the "Yes" votes, saying he respects property owners' rights to build on their land.
Although Thomson expressed some concerns about the amount of parking proposed, he said the owner gets to use their property as they wish, as long as it fits within city code.
"While I hear the concerns of the neighbors…" Thomson said. "...I do believe this is an application consistent with our downtown ordinances."
Council member Fran Nachlas said she also believes the landowner has the right to build on the property, but she said the request to reduce the amount of parking on the site was too much.
"Even though I think it's a beautiful project and it will add to our downtown, the 41% deviation in parking is too much right now," Nachlas said.
She originally said she didn't support the project, but Nachlas changed her mind during the final vote, realizing the project would go through regardless.
Mayor Scott Singer said he believes the proposal would "complement" a lot of what the city is trying to do in the downtown area. He said he believes this proposal is better than what the developer could build in the area without coming to the city council, while announcing his support for the project.
Council member Marc Wigder, who was the one vote opposing the project, said he has an issue with the underground parking proposed for the project, believing it is dangerous.
"We're trying to force development in a time period," Wigder, the chair of the CRA, said.
City Council members in Boca Raton serve as the CRA members. The City Council members then select the CRA chairman from among their members.
