Article Courtesy of The Boca Raton News

By Dale M. King

Published December 29, 2007 

The company developing the controversial Eden Condominium project near downtown Boca Raton hopes to save it by turning it into an age-restricted combination independent and assisted living center.

As it has done in the past, the developer, Boca East LLC, brought its revised plans to City Hall on the 90th day of a 90-period the City Council had given for submission of revised plans.

In September, the council had to call a special morning meeting to approve an extension of the firm’s permits. It was the day before the documents issued to Eden would have expired

And it was not the first extension given to the troubled complex. But city officials guaranteed that it would be the last.

The council issued the firm a list of stringent regulations, a specific timetable for completion and said that any deviation from that path would nullify the extension.

The plan that arrived in City Hall four days before Christmas revises the initial proposal that had called for 248 condominium units – 62 in each of four buildings. 

The developer now wants to put in 92 two-bedroom units, 87 one-bedroom units and 10 studio apartments for a total of 193 independent living units and 86 assisted living residences. 

Deputy City Manager George Brown said the plans will have to go before the Planning Board and City Council for approval. The first time the proposal will see the light of municipal day will be Jan. 3 when they go before the Planning Advisory Committee.

The four-building complex located just a block south of City Hall has been in the works since 2003. One structure is done, another is nearly finished. The other two are just concrete skeletons.

The City Council had to call a special meeting Sept. 27 – one day before Eden’s permits expired – to vote on the two-year extension.

 
Not to grant the extension would have forced the city to take over the complex and demolish it. It would have then had to lien the property to get its money back.

At the time, at least three council members – Susan Whelchel, Bill Hager and Peter Baronoff – specifically said they have received many complaints about the project.

It was at that meeting that Charles Siemon, attorney for Eden, told the council that Boca East LLC was about to join forces with Parc Communities to turn a couple of the buildings into senior residences.

The plans at came to City Hall last week said the project will now be called Parc at Eden. It said that three of the buildings would be for independent living; the fourth for assisted living.

Owner of failed condo conversion files plans