1917 Beach Avenue ZVAR-2008-02 Exhibit 1_NarrativeFISHER & SIMMONS ARCHITECTS, INC. 1510B Second Street South • Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
Phone: (904) 247-1800 • Fax: (904) 2474900
Demuth Variance
1917 Beach Avenue
Atlantic Beach
Item # 10:
The property consists of a 50'x 189' oceanfront parcel at 1917 Beach Avenue with a 2 story
residence and a vacant 29.46'x 50' parcel across Beach Avenue to the west. The garage in the
existing residence, built in the 1930s, is too small to park vehicles. The location of the existing
house, built before the zoning code was adopted, does not allow for expanding the existing
garage.
The owners would like to build a single story garage on their small vacant property across the
street from the residence. The size of the vacant lot would require a variance to construct a
building that would be adequate for 2 vehicles and the usual beach equipment (surfboards, chairs,
umbrellas, etc.). Adjacent to the south is an existing 3 story residence and to the north a public
pedestrian path allowing access from Beachside Court.
The proposed garage would have a setback of 5' on the south side and average 2'-8" (2'-6"
minimum) on the north side next to the pedestrian path. The existing path and fence are located
along the north side of the right-of-way so the distance between the walk and the new garage
would be approximately 10'.
The front setback would be 20'-0" average, but due to the shape of the lot would vary from 19'-6"
to 20-'6". The rear setback would be an average of 5'-5", varying from 5'-0" to 5'-10". Thus a
variance is required for the setbacks on the north side (2'-6" vs. 10'-0"), front (19'-6" vs 20'-0")
and rear (5'-0" vs 20'-0").
The residence was built in the 1930s very close to the property line. Modifications are planned to
increase the front and north side setbacks and provide additional guest parking. The existing
single story portion of the street side of the house would be replaced with an open porch along
the front. The single story portion of the north side would be partially removed to provide
parking space as well as a new entry and entry porch.
In summary:
1. A new garage to remove 2 vehicles parked outside,
2. An open porch on the street front to replace an existing enclosed space and break up the 2
story street facade,
3. Most of the north side enclosure removed, increasing the setback from 7-5" to 12'-9",
4. Guest parking provided,
5. A safer front door away from the street,
6. The existing driveway replaced with landscaping.