1820 Sherry Drive North ZVAR17-0008 Staff Report CDB CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM 4.A
CASE NO. ZVAR17-0008
Request for a variance as permitted by Section 24-64, to increase the allowable
fence height from 4 feet as required by Section III(D)(4) of the Selva Marina
Unit 10-B PUD to 6 feet at Selva Marina Unit 10-B Lot 7 (aka 1820 North
Sherry Drive).
LOCATION 1820 North Sherry Drive
APPLICANT Sarah (Sally) L. Young
DATE November 13, 2017
STAFF Derek W. Reeves, Planner
STAFF COMMENTS
The applicant is Sally Young, the owner of 1820 North Sherry Drive. The property is zoned PUD in the
Selva Marina neighborhood and has an existing single family home. The owners would like to replace an
existing six foot fence with a new six foot with a couple of changes to the location. The site plan below
shows the existing fence (the black lines with two little dashes) and the new fence (yellow highlight) .A
variance is required for the new fence because it does not meet the requirements of the PUD.
This property is part of the Selva Marina
Unit 10-B PUD and plat. The plat
generally includes the first few lots north
of Saturiba Drive on North Sherry Drive
and Selva Marina Drive. The PUD was
approved in 1978 by the Commission. A
copy of the City Commission meeting
minutes for the approval are attached. The
Covenants and Restrictions for the PUD,
which are usually not enforced by a
municipality, were provided to the City as
the PUD’s governing text. The Covenants
do define the City’s enforcement powers in
the PUD. A copy is attached to the end of
this report.
Section III(D)(4) of the Covenants states in
part, “Fences or walls may be located
outside of the dwelling zone provided: (a)
The shall not exceed four *4) feet in
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height.” The dwelling zone is defined by setbacks of 20 feet in the front and rear and 10 feet in each side
yard.
When reading the Covenants, there are several references to a Special Advisory Planning Board that is
required to grant approvals in the PUD. However, like a similar recent variance request in Selva Marina
Unit 12-C, it appears that this board no longer exists. The Covenants then defer responsibilities to the City.
Just as if a proposed project did not meet the City’s zoning code, it would have to get a variance, when a
proposed project doesn’t meet the requirements of the PUD, it must get a variance.
Historically, it appears that the City has not always recognized and enforced these Covenants, which has
resulted in a hodgepodge of development in this PUD, and others with similar circumstances. The
applicant has provided multiple pictures from the area of other properties with six foot fences as evidence.
This means that the City’s normal zoning code was applied. If the City’s normal zoning code was applied
to this fence, it would be approved administratively as six foot fences are allowed in side and rear yards.
Ultimately, staff would like to explore corrective measures for these PUDs that would address the
nonexistent boards and to make zoning requirements consistent.
Page 3 of 4
ANALYSIS
Section 24-64(b)(1) provides that “applications for a variance shall be considered on a case-by-case basis,
and shall be approved only upon findings of fact that the application is consistent with the definition of a
variance and consistent with the provisions of this section.” According to Section 24-17, Definitions, “[a]
variance shall mean relief granted from certain terms of this chapter. The relief granted shall be only to
the extent as expressly allowed by this chapter and may be either an allowable exemption from certain
provision(s) or a relaxation of the strict, literal interpretation of certain provision(s). Any relief granted
shall be in accordance with the provisions as set forth in Section 24-64 of this chapter, and such relief may
be subject to conditions as set forth by the City of Atlantic Beach.”
Section 24-64(d) provides six distinct grounds for the approval of a variance:
(1) Exceptional topographic conditions of or near the property.
The applicant stated in their application that the lot of neighbor to the north is higher than theirs and
that they have a deck near the property line that a six foot fence would provide more privacy from.
(2) Surrounding conditions or circumstances impacting the property disparately from nearby
properties.
The applicant stated in their application that the neighbor behind them has a swimming pool and a
six foot fence would do a better job of keeping their kids from getting that pool.
(3) Exceptional circumstances preventing the reasonable use of the property as compared to other
properties in the area.
The applicant stated in their application that every other property in the neighborhood has a six foot
fence.
(4) Onerous effect of regulations enacted after platting or after development of the property or after
construction of improvements upon the property.
The applicant stated in their application that they are planning a future addition and pool with screen
enclosure and believe that a six foot fence will provide better security and privacy.
(5) Irregular shape of the property warranting special consideration.
(6) Substandard size of a lot of record warranting a variance in order to provide for the reasonable
use of the property.
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REQUIRED ACTION
The Community Development Board may consider a motion to approve ZVAR17-0008, request to
increase the allowable fence height from 4 feet as required by Section III(D)(4) of the Selva Marina Unit
10-B PUD to 6 feet at Selva Marina Unit 10-B Lot 7 (aka 1820 North Sherry Drive), upon finding this
request is consistent with the definition of a variance, and in accordance with the provisions of Section
24-64, specifically the grounds for approval delineated in Section 24-64(d) and as described below.
A variance may be granted, at the discretion of the community development board, for the
following reasons:
(1) Exceptional topographic conditions of or near the property.
(2) Surrounding conditions or circumstances impacting the property disparately from nearby
properties.
(3) Exceptional circumstances preventing the reasonable use of the property as compared to
other properties in the area.
(4) Onerous effect of regulations enacted after platting or after development of the property or
after construction of improvements upon the property.
(5) Irregular shape of the property warranting special consideration.
(6) Substandard size of a lot of record warranting a variance in order to provide for the
reasonable use of the property.
Or,
The Community Development Board may consider a motion to deny ZVAR17-0008, request to increase
the allowable fence height from 4 feet as required by Section III(D)(4) of the Selva Marina Unit 10-B
PUD to 6 feet at Selva Marina Unit 10-B Lot 7 (aka 1820 North Sherry Drive), or it is not consistent with
one or more of the grounds for denial of a variance, as delineated in Section 24-64(c), described below.
No variance shall be granted if the Community Development Board, in its discretion, determines
that the granting of the requested variance shall have a materially adverse impact upon one (1) or
more of the following:
(1) Light and air to adjacent properties.
(2) Congestion of streets.
(3) Public safety, including traffic safety, risk of fire, flood, crime or other threats to public
safety.
(4) Established property values.
(5) The aesthetic environment of the community.
(6) The natural environment of the community, including environmentally sensitive areas,
wildlife habitat, protected trees, or other significant environmental resources.
(7) The general health, welfare or beauty of the community.
Variances shall not be granted solely for personal comfort or convenience, for relief from
financial circumstances or for relief from situation created by the property owner.