Construction East of A1A in Boca Raton Won’t Require New Sidewalks

North Ocean Boulevard (A1A) in Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Though there are few areas east of North Ocean Boulevard (A1A) in Boca Raton still ripe for new development, construction projects of all kinds will no longer come with a requirement to either expand or build new sidewalks along the roadway – a change that grew out of concern for the environment and integrity of the dunes system.

The ordinance making the change passed unanimously at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. As it previously stood, the city code required sidewalks to either be newly-built or expanded to eight feet in width along the oceanfront roadway with any new development. The revision removes that requirement for development on the east side of North Ocean Boulevard, which backs up to the Atlantic Ocean, “to protect environmentally sensitive lands and dune vegetation which exists on the east side.”

The swath of land on the east side of A1A is vegetated with mangroves, dune grass, palms and undergrowth which would likely have to be removed in order for a sidewalk to the constructed. Public parks in the area already feature underground tunnels to the beach or crosswalks, with most private communities with beaches also offering pedestrian crosswalks to secure entrances.

North Ocean Boulevard (A1A) in Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The ordinance removes the requirement north of Palmetto Park Road, which is considered a “special corridor.” Development on the west side of A1A would still require the installation or widening of sidewalks, however the majority of the roadway on the east side already features a wide pedestrian pathway.

According to a report from city staff, there are currently no sidewalks on the east side of A1A between Palmetto Park Road and the city’s border with neighboring Highland Beach.