BOCA LAGO TO BUILD NEW HOMES

At last Thursday’s hearing, about 25 acres of land at Boca Lago now zoned for government and recreational use was designated for residential use, and there will be new home development on that land. The houses will abut a golf course, and will require reconfiguring of the course. Additional permits are needed before construction can begin. Club members said they need to increase the number of golf course members to ertain the two 18-hole courses. Membership is down, and the likelihood of getting more people from existing residents is slight, considering their ages. Boca Lago is an “over age 55” community. Membership at the club is not mandatory for residents.

Last year, Boca Lago decided to sell 24 acres of its golf course to Charlse Watt Communities, which has applied to build 130 condominiums in 23 two-story buildings for residents age 55 and older. This would give the club enough money to finish renovations and improvements to the existing 1,600-home community. The golf course wouldn't lose any of its 36 holes; the holes destined for housing would be moved. In contrast to the protracted infighting that broke out in some neighboring communities such as Boca del Mar, Boca Lago officials said nearly 90 percent of its residents support the plan. No Boca Lago resident will lose golf-course views, country club president Seymour Krinsky said.

NEW DEVELOPMENT AND LIBRARY COMING IN WEST BOCA

The Country Commissioners gave “the go ahead” last Thursday at a zoning meeting for construction of a new library and 130 home development at a 21.3 acre parcel on Yamato Road and 441. The Commission’s OK is preliminary as a 2nd hearing is needed for final adoption, scheduled for Nove 27th at 9:30 am.

The West Boca library will cost about $11-MM and measure 20,000 sq ft with room to expand another 20,000 sq ft and should start construction in January or February.

SHARP DECLINE IN BOCA STUDENT ENROLLMENT IMPACTS COMMUNITY

Palm Beach County is experiencing a decline in student enrollment, and Boca even moreso, according to a recent district report. Housing affordability is mentioned as one possible reason. Hurricanes also may have played a role in families moving out of state. Lower cost-of-living and more job opportunity in other states may be a factor for families who have sold their homes and moved elsewhere. One benefit is smaller classes.

Less students means fewer dollars for the district and therefore, cuts in county programs.
A large percentage of new enrollments are children of baby boomers who want to retire in Boca Raton.

CALDWELL THEATRE ABOUT TO OPEN IN ITS NEW BOCA LOCATION

The opening production will be an Elvis Presley tribute called “Hunka Hunka Burning Love.” The new location of the Caldwell Theatre is just north of it’s current location nin the Levitz Plaza and it will bear the name of the late Count Adolph de Hoernle. Whose wife, the Countess, is a longtime Caldwell supporter. When Caldwell moves out of it’s current location, he plaza will be leveled in the future to provide a multi-use development of homes, commercial, retail and office space. The new Caldwell will have a 350-seat performance center in the 25,750 sq ft building. A glass façade will face Federal Highway.

EMINENT DOMAIN MAY RESULT TO CREATE DOWNTOWN BOCA “SPINE”

A pedestrian walkway is proposed from Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place and negotiations soon will begin for the purchase of land in the area, with eminent domain (“the forced taking of land”) a possible consideration. The aim is to create a path with eye-appealing amenities to draw people to see it, and to shop along the way. The Boca Raton Historical Society is trying to preserve certain sections of the city’s retail center because of the historic value. The land acquisition should end by the 3rd quarter of 2008. A bond issue will develop to cover costs, and public input will be involved Design of the spine should run from mid-2008 to the first quarter of 2 009. Construction and engineering could start in the 2nd quarter of 2009 with completion planned for the 4th quarter of 2010.

9-PASSENGER JET CHARTER ADDED AT BOCA RATON AIRPORT

Executive Jet Management added a private jet to Boca Raton which has a non-stop range of 4400 miles, and can fly Boca to Los Angeles or Miami to Brazil. The company is a leading provider of worldwide jet charter and aircraft management services which has earned the “Best Charter Service” award from Professional Pilot magazine subscribers for it’s 9th consecutive year. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and manages aircraft in more than 60 locations throughout the country. The jet features a DVD player, two 18” video monitors, two data ports, flight phone and galley with microwave and conventional ovens. The plane is a Falcon 2000EX.

BOCA SETS NEW NON-RESIDENT LIBRARY FEES

The construction of the new western library, which has been held up due to litigation, will be finished at some future date.

With a “significant decrease” in non-resident card users in the past few years, according to City Manager Leif Ahnell, the City Counsel voted to set fees of $100 for a non-resident individual library card, and $`75 for a non-resident family library card.

Non-residents have been paying $150 for a library card but it costs city residents $161 in taxes to get the same services. Dorothy Gunn, a 5-year member of the Library Adivsory Board in Boca Raton and LAB liaison to the Friends of the Library Boards says that public libraries should be free. Ahnell said the cost of a non-resident card was $35 in 1999, $40 in 2000, $50 om 2001 and 2002, $65 in 2003 and 2004, and $150 in 2005. Tax payments cover the cost of a library card for residents.