Board of Adjustment: votes at a glance — April 2, 2025

At its April 2 meeting the Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals decided multiple variances and nonconforming‑use items. Below is a concise summary of each voted item, the motion outcome, and key details from staff reports or public testimony.

VAR24‑25 (1342 Alaska Avenue, Palm Harbor) — Pools/covered porch variance Staff recommendation: conditional approval. The application sought two rear‑setback variances to allow an in‑ground pool/spa and a covered porch/outdoor kitchen closer to the southern property line than required. The applicant, Aaron Sanchez, presented; there were no objectors. The board moved and seconded the staff recommendation and approved the variance. Motion recorded as moved by Mr. Baumstein, second by Mr. Warner; the board stated the motion carried by a 6–0 vote.

VAR427 (607 Eighth Street, Palm Harbor) — Conversion of covered unconditioned storage to conditioned bathroom Staff recommendation: conditional approval. The applicant sought to enclose approximately 252 square feet of covered storage and bring the slab/slab elevation into compliance with floodplain permitting. Staff noted the property is within a coastal high hazard area and additional floodplain approvals may be required at permitting. The applicant addressed the elevation and slab details and there were no objectors. The board approved the staff recommendation; the motion passed 7–0 (mover Mr. Baumstein; seconder Mr. Warner).

VAR25‑01 (after‑the‑fact detached garage, 3780 40th Fifth Avenue North, St. Pete) — side setback variance Staff recommendation: conditional approval. The request sought after‑the‑fact approval for a 512 square‑foot detached garage poured closer than the 6‑foot side setback requirement. The applicant secured a prior building permit; inspectors found the slab encroached into the setback. The board moved to approve the staff recommendation; the record shows the motion passed (transcript line: “Passes 7 to 1”). The mover was recorded as Mr. Baumstein with a second.

NCM‑25‑1 (Anvil Acres, 10505 60th Street North, Pinellas Park) — nonconforming‑use modification to add a 14,000‑square‑foot open‑walled roof over an existing riding arena Staff recommendation: conditional approval. The owner and contractor presented; no public objections were recorded. Staff concluded the roof would protect horses from weather and not increase traffic or change the established commercial agricultural use. The board approved the staff recommendation by voice vote (7–0).

Minutes approval (February 5 meeting) The board approved the minutes of a prior meeting (February 5) by voice vote; the motion passed 7–0.

Procedural notes - Several approvals were conditioned on findings of fact contained in staff reports. Where staff noted additional permitting or floodplain review was required (VAR427), applicants were advised to complete permitting steps. - The Inspired Acres Type 2/parking items (separately summarized in a full article) attracted the most public comment and resulted in specific additional conditions on event counts and amplified sound orientation.

Full vote tallies and motion makers as recorded in the transcript appear in the board minutes; for contested items the board recorded motions and seconds publicly on the record.