Variance request at 67 South Dixie Highway continued after applicant agrees to revise plans

The Planning and Zoning Board continued a variance request at 67 South Dixie Highway to its Nov. 4 meeting after the applicant agreed to explore a design that would attach the addition across two parcels rather than build an addition wholly within one lot and seek a setback variance.

Staff described the variance application as a request to reduce the minimum side-yard setback for a property in the CM2 district to 8 inches (from the required 5 feet) in order to build an addition with an exterior exit and three interior steps. Planning staff recommended continuation or denial because the application had not demonstrated that variance criteria were met. The applicant said he and his wife had purchased an adjacent lot to provide staff parking and hoped to use a side entrance to allow employees to enter from the adjacent parking pad.

Nut graf: Board members and staff suggested an alternative design: if the new construction were to straddle the property line between the two parcels the applicant owns (or are tied together), the building department could approve the work administratively and a variance would not be required. The applicant agreed to work with building staff on revised drawings and the board continued the matter to Nov. 4, 2025.

Board members asked whether a plat or other record would be necessary to keep the two lots tied together in the future; staff noted that an owner can retain two lots under a single ownership and that an addition straddling two lots is permitted and would address concerns about selling the adjacent lot later.

Action: The board voted to continue PZB 2025-0070 to the Nov. 4, 2025 Planning and Zoning Board meeting to allow the applicant time to work with building department staff on an alternative design that might avoid the need for a variance.

Ending: Staff recommended the applicant coordinate with the building department immediately; if the revised plan shows construction straddling both lots the building permit process could proceed administratively and the variance would no longer be required. If the building department cannot approve the alternative, the application will return to the board in November.