Clearwater board denies developer's request to dry flood‑proof lower garage areas

The Building and Flood Board of Adjustments and Appeals on March 4 denied a variance request from a developer to allow dry flood‑proofing of elevator lobbies, stairwells, trash rooms, storage areas and pool mechanical rooms at the ground level of a two‑tower condominium project in Clearwater.

The denial follows staff testimony that the project crosses the city’s LIMWA (limited moderate wave action) line, placing the connected building in a coastal A zone where the most restrictive flood‑hazard rules apply and where the city’s flood ordinance prohibits dry flood‑proofing. City staff also warned that a granted variance could affect Clearwater’s Community Rating System flood‑insurance discounts.

The applicant, represented in part by attorney Brian (McFarland Ferguson McMullen), presented engineering and architectural evidence, including a wave analysis by…