1640 Sea Oats Drive (Richard Carter) 03.27.2002
March 27, 2002
Richard Carter
1872 Beachside Court
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Re: Lot 17, Block 13 – 1640 Sea Oats Drive
Dear Mr. Carter:
I have reviewed your application to construct an addition to the Young residence located at 1640
Sea Oats Drive. This lot contains some unusual building restrictions in that the lot is developed
with the south side as the front. The zoning regulations, however, deem the easternmost side of
the lot as the front. During last fall’s revisions of the zoning code, I attempted to address this
issue by proposing changes that would have, in cases such as presented with this lot, recognized
the “real front” as the front regardless of the shape of the lot. (The previous regulations were
somewhat unclear in such situations, and allowed for some latitude in interpretation.) The
change I proposed was not supported by the Community Development Board, and was not
adopted in the amended zoning regulations. Accordingly, the west side of the lot, where the
addition is proposed, is now considered as a rear yard, requiring a setback of twenty (20) feet.
The proposed addition provides only a fifteen (15) foot setback. This lot is further constrained
because of the platted building restriction lines, which on all other sides of the lot, create a
significantly stricter standard than the RS-1 zoning regulations.
There are several options available to you. You may seek a five-foot variance from the 20-foot
rear yard. While I cannot speak for the Community Development Board, I believe that there are
unusual circumstances related to the shape of this lot such that the CD Board may favorably
consider your request. Secondly, I am able to grant a 5% administrative waiver, which would
reduce the required setback to nineteen (19) feet. I recognize that this would require a
modification to your proposed plans, so you may first wish to consider applying for the variance.
If you choose to pursue a Variance, I would suggest that you promptly submit your application.
The April meeting date is being rescheduled from its regular third Tuesday. I do not yet have a
date set for the meeting, but it will likely be during the last two weeks of the month. Please feel
free to call me at 247-5817 with any further questions.
Sincerely,
Sonya B. Doerr, AICP
Community Development Director