Board of Adjustments approves reduced parking, setback variances for 133 N. Seventh Ave. as amended

The City of Jacksonville Beach Board of Adjustments on an unspecified July meeting approved variances for 133 North Seventh Avenue to allow two on‑site parking spaces and a rear yard setback of 18 feet in lieu of 20 feet, after debate over whether the property can meet the code requirement of four parking spaces for a two‑unit dwelling.

The variances were approved as amended following testimony from the applicant, Anthony Martinez, and city staff. The amendment — setting a rear yard setback at 18 feet and reducing the required on‑site parking to two spaces — passed a roll‑call amendment vote (John Moreland: yes; Jennifer Williams: yes; Matt Metz: yes; Douglas Dell: yes; Owen Curley: no) and the board chair subsequently declared the request approved as amended.

The applicant said the structure has historically functioned with only two on‑site spaces and described the existing garage as too narrow and shallow to reliably hold two cars. "The garage not only was built illegally, but was also altered at some point," Christian, a city staff member, summarized during the hearing; the applicant, Anthony Martinez, told the…