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Planning board approves special exception for guest quarters at 870 County Road 65
Summary
The Flagler County Planning and Development Board approved a special exception to allow existing garage living quarters at 870 County Road 65 to be improved and used as nonpaying guest or servant quarters, subject to conditions including a six‑month occupancy limit and single ownership of the parcel.
The Flagler County Planning and Development Board on Feb. 12 approved a special exception to allow guest or servant quarters in the Agricultural (AC) district at 870 County Road 65.
The exception authorizes finishing an existing three‑room living unit inside a detached garage so it can be used as guest quarters, subject to conditions staff read into the record. "Occupancy of the guest quarters is limited to family members and nonpaying guests of the occupants of the principal structure for a period of time not to exceed 6 months per year," Planning staff member Adam Mingle said during his presentation. He also told the board the county does not intend the unit to operate as a second single‑family dwelling.
Board members heard that the current owners bought the parcel in April 2018; the parcel contains multiple buildings including a 1978 single‑family home and a detached concrete block shop. The application seeks to improve existing unfinished living space in the garage and to install a proper kitchenette. The staff report cited Land Development Code section 3.0703(f) as the governing special‑exception standard and recommended approval with conditions.
Key conditions approved by the board require the parcel to remain under single ownership and forbid subdivision; require the owner or contractor to obtain all permits before work begins; prohibit charging fees or remuneration for occupancy of the unit; require the parcel to maintain a single on‑site sewage disposal system; and require using a single electric meter if the existing electrical service is ever reconstructed or abandoned. Mingle said the meter arrangement partly reflects the location of the well and water softener in the garage and historical shop uses on the property.
The board took no public comment on the item. After brief member discussion about the intended intermittent nature of "servant" quarters and how the county defines "family" in the code, a motion to approve carried without recorded opposition.
The county staff packet and the planning board order list the approved conditions and the limitations on occupancy. The decision may be appealed following existing county procedures.
