1625 Beach Avenue (McGuinness) 04.04.2005Mr. McGuiness-
The Variance that was approved for this property in February of 2001 remains valid. Unless specifically stipulated by the Community Development Board at the time of the Variance approval,
a Variance "runs" with the property once construction is commenced. Under later revisions to the regulations (after the Stranahan's Variance was approved) work pursuant to a Variance
must commence within 365 days.
This is a primary residence, and the 35 -foot height applies; not the 25-foot height limit that applies to garage apartments. Height is (and always has been) measured from the Calculated
Average Grade of a property, and not from the street grade.
I hope this answers your questions.
Sonya Doerr, AICP
Community Development Director
800 Seminole Road
City of Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
904 247-5826 Phone
904 247-5845 Fax
PLEASE NOTE: Florida has a very broad public records law. Your e-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure.
-----Original Message-----
From: Neil McGuinness [mailto:n.mcguinness@mindspring.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 3:16 PM
To: Doerr, Sonya
Subject: 1625 Beach Avenue
I have several concerns regarding this project adjacent to our home at 1629/1631 Beach Avenue.
- the structure encroaches the normal setbacks significantly
In reviewing the file on this home it appears some type of variance was approved in Feb of 2001 but they did not build until just recently.
I presume if that was their justification, the approval had expired.
- the overall height will be extraordinary and totally overshadow our home and eliminate our privacy.
The plan appears to measure 35 foot height from the top of the ‘bomb shelter’.
Our adjacent Beach Ave. garage apartment ‘height limit’ was measured from the street level.
Shouldn’t the height limit for the proposed 1625 construction be measured the same (from the street) ?
Also since 1625 is not the oceanfront home, shouldn’t the structure be treated as a garage apartment? (25 feet height)
Thanks for your help.
Neil A. McGuinness
1629 Beach Avenue