The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals denied a variance June 4 for a detached two‑story garage at 1353 Hamlin Drive in unincorporated Clearwater.

Staff recommended denial, saying the lot met zoning standards and the request did not demonstrate special conditions or an unnecessary hardship under Pinellas County Land Development Code section 138‑2‑31. The applicant sought a 3‑foot side setback from the northern property line where the R3 single‑family district requires a 6‑foot side setback.

Attorney Lauren Rubinstein presented for the applicants and described the garage as a hobby‑oriented structure to store and work on classic cars. Applicant Eric Plummer testified the garage would be used for long‑term restoration work — he described a 1957 Chevrolet restoration and said a loft would hold sewing and upholstery equipment. He told the board the detached garage was needed to free driveway and garage space and because utility and pool equipment on the house side limited options to attach a structure.

The requested structure dimensions and site plan — including a First Floor garage area and a smaller Second Floor loft — were shown to the board; proposed maximum height was 24 feet 8 inches (county maximum is 35 feet). The contractor at the hearing confirmed the closest portion of the proposed garage would be 3 feet from the northern lot line; elsewhere the angle of the lot increases clearance.

Board members expressed concern the applicant had not shown a peculiarity of the land that would justify a setback reduction, noting the lot exceeds R3 minimums and that county rules for accessory structures could allow a conforming design. One member also cited potential drainage and precedent concerns: allowing the reduced setback could create a pattern on the street that would be difficult to deny for future applicants.

A motion to deny found the application did not meet the variance criteria, including lack of special conditions, lack of unnecessary hardship and potential drainage concerns. The motion carried 5–2. Staff explained that a denied variance can be refiled after the six‑month waiting period and that, if approved in the future, conditions can be required (for example, non‑conversion agreements or storm‑water controls).