Planning board denies front-yard variance for decorative bird bath at 1918 NE 30th Ave

A majority of the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board on Wednesday denied a request to place a decorative bird bath inside the city’s 25-foot front-yard setback at 1918 Northeast 30th Avenue, saying the applicant did not meet the legal criteria for a variance.

The applicant’s representative, Mark Labeda, said he was asking for a “de minimis” variance to locate a segmental-stone bird bath about 1 foot inside the required 25-foot front yard for aesthetic purposes. Labeda said the structure is composed of stacked pieces held with dowels, would have a total height of about 9.2 feet and that the base—about 3 feet high—would not impair sight lines or emergency vehicle access. He said there would be no plumbing or electrical work and that the front yard consists largely of driveway space.

Board members and nearby residents…