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Glades County waives $500 variance application fee for hurricane-rebuild home after commissioners cite compassion and caution
Summary
The board voted unanimously to waive a $500 variance application fee so a single mother can pursue a variance to place a 1,500-square-foot double-wide home on a nonconforming lot under the Rebuild Florida program; commissioners stressed the decision should not create an automatic precedent.
The Glades County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on March 24 to waive a $500 variance application fee for a homeowner seeking to place a double-wide replacement home on a nonconforming lot after hurricane damage.
Board members said the decision balanced compassion for a family displaced and living in a motel with caution about setting a broad precedent for waiving application fees.
Staff told commissioners the homeowner's existing house was about 1,100 square feet and the replacement double-wide measures roughly 1,500 square feet. The lot did not currently meet front or side setback requirements; staff and the contractor worked to position the unit so it would be inside the rear setback by about one foot and to make the installation more conforming than the prior structure. Because the home is being placed through the Rebuild Florida program, the homeowner requested relief from the $500 variance application fee; staff said the homeowner would remain responsible for direct mailing and processing costs.
Commissioners debated the request. Several expressed sympathy for the single mother and the family's desire to keep children in the same school district, while others warned that routinely waiving fees could create an expectation that the board would override standard processes. One commissioner said ignorance of setback rules does not excuse applicants, while others noted the homeowner did not know of the restriction before buying the mobile home.
The board recorded a roll-call vote: the chairman (Carlisle) voted yes, Commissioner Barnes yes, Commissioner Patterson yes, Commissioner Taylor yes and the remaining commissioner yes, producing a 5-0 approval to waive the $500 fee. The board clarified that waiving the application fee did not remove required permitting or the variance review process; staff said the homeowner would still need to proceed through the formal variance process and remain responsible for direct costs associated with the application.
No additional modifications to county code were adopted; commissioners asked staff to ensure applicants are notified about permitting requirements before purchases in the future.
