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Board grants three variances for irregular Hibiscus Island lot to allow contemporary two‑story home with front courtyard pool
Summary
On July 30 the Board of Adjustment approved three variances for a semicircular lot on Hibiscus Island to permit a reduced second‑floor setback, a small decrease in required rear pervious open space, and placement of a pool deck within the front setback as part of a new two‑story home design.
The Board of Adjustment on July 30 approved three variances to allow construction of a contemporary two‑story single‑family home on an unusually shaped lot on South Hibiscus Drive.
Planning staff said the quarter‑circle lot creates practical difficulties for standard setback and open‑space rules, making the requested relief reasonable for this site. Staff recommended approval of a) a reduction of the required rear‑yard pervious open space by about 84.75 square feet (approximately 4.3% of the required area); b) a reduction of a required second‑floor setback from 40 feet to as little as 30 feet for portions of the second floor; and c) permission for a pool deck and swimming pool to encroach into the front setback by up to about 11 feet 8 inches so the pool can be located in an interior front courtyard.
The project's architect, Ralph Choiff of Choiff Levy Fishman Architects, showed site plans and renderings that place a narrow courtyard pool underneath a glassed bridge element that connects portions of the house. Choiff said locating the pool in the rear yard would leave some corners of the lot unbuildable and push the house into configurations that are not practical given the lot shape.
Board members asked about screening and perimeter walls; Choiff said the design includes both a wall and hedging for privacy and that the pool area would be screened by landscaping. No letters of opposition or public comment were presented at the hearing.
Motion and vote: Mister Silvers moved to approve the three variances; Mister Davis seconded. The board voted in favor and approved the requests.
The board action permits the developer to proceed with the proposed contemporary design, including the reduced open‑space and setback relief and the front courtyard pool, subject to the conditions in the staff draft order.
