Punta Gorda board recommends city council approve variance to allow fuel‑pump canopies at Isles Yacht Club

The Punta Gorda Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously on July 28 to recommend that City Council approve a variance allowing two small canopies over the Isles Yacht Club fuel pumps at 1780 West Marion Avenue.

Board members said the canopies address safety and environmental concerns for staff and customers fueling vessels on the club’s approved floating dock, and noted the 25‑foot upland setback required by the city’s waterfront code cannot be met at the dock’s location.

Rachel Berry, the city zoning official, summarized the application (V02/2025) and the code sections staff reviewed, saying the request is for “a variance from setback requirements to allow fuel pump covers on the existing floating dock” and that staff had considered Chapter 26 (waterfront properties), Chapter 6 (construction within waterways) and the variance criteria in Section 16.1 of the Land Development Regulations. Berry told the board that staff “has not received any comments from anyone” opposing the application and that the agent had provided additional…