The applicants, David and Robin Young, presented their case for the boat dock variance, explaining that the unique condition of shallow water in the canal necessitated the extension. They assured the board that the Department of Natural Resources had approved their proposal and that the dock would not interfere with the local mangrove ecosystem or hinder navigation in the canal. Concerns were raised about the potential for kayaking and other water activities post-construction, which the board considered in their discussion. Ultimately, the board approved the variance unanimously.

Another prominent topic during the meeting was an application for a variance involving a neighbor’s boat dock protrusion into a canal. The applicant cited the need for the variance to accommodate their boat engine, and support from 14 neighboring residents was presented, along with images showing the bridge that restricts boat size. An on-site inspection by Dr. Bass validated the boat’s configuration and its encroachment into the canal. Despite opposition from a property owner who detailed their financial hardship in complying with existing regulations, and after a break to deliberate further, the board approved the variance with conditions.

Additional variance applications discussed included a request from a mobile home park to construct a carport over an existing driveway. The board inquired about the proximity of the proposed carport to the road, neighbor support, and approval from the park’s association, ultimately approving the variance with the condition of removing an existing shed.

The board also deliberated on a variance for an accessory structure proposed to be located forward of the front building line of the principal structure within a rural residential mobile home zoning classification. The applicant, a general contractor, sought to build a detached garage and address a pre-existing water pump structure. The board’s visit to the location concluded that the pump house posed no issues, and the variance was approved.

A request for multiple variances related to accessory structures was also presented, aimed at legitimizing property features that had been in place for decades. The applicant’s goal was to allow for an existing shed, plastic shed, and an open-air structure that encroached on property lines, as well as to address the boat dock extending into the waterway. The board questioned the longevity of these structures, the presence of similar structures in neighboring properties, and the potential for obstructing boat traffic. After thorough discussion, the board approved the variance requests.

Another application involved a covered porch to be constructed over an existing concrete porch, encroaching on the setback area. The applicant expressed health concerns and the desire to utilize the porch more frequently. The board considered the property’s layout and the additional land buffer between the property line and the street, ultimately approving the variance request while noting the significant space between the projected covered patio and the street.

A set of six questions served as the basis for their decisions on the variance applications, with a focus on efficiency and adherence to procedures.

The meeting commenced with the current chairperson stepping down for personal reasons and recommending a successor. A new Vice Chair was also nominated and approved. After addressing the function of the Board of Zoning Adjustment and day’s hearing procedures, the board approved the minutes of the previous meeting with a minor correction before proceeding to the agenda items.