Variance board approves second‑story addition at 2920 West Baycourt Ave., citing lot constraints and tree protection

The City of Tampa Variance Review Board on March 11 granted variances allowing a second‑story addition and connection to an existing garage at 2920 West Baycourt Ave.

The petitioner requested reduction of the west side yard setback from 7 feet to 2 feet and the south rear yard setback from 20 feet to 3 feet for an existing garage footprint that will receive a second story. Board documents state the lot is 50 feet wide in an RS‑60 zoning district and the requested relief matches existing first‑floor nonconformities.

Steve Eister, development coordination staff, introduced the case and showed the site plan. He told the board the request “was approved in 02/2020” for the existing configuration and said Natural Resources, Transportation, wastewater, water, right‑of‑way and stormwater review found the proposal “consistent with conditions.”

Applicant Steve Micolini, who said he had been sworn, told the board the property is narrow, contains two large oak trees and that the addition was designed to avoid tree impacts. “We are respectfully requesting that this Board grant the variances as provided,” Micolini said, and noted the second story does not increase first‑level nonconformities.

Board discussion focused on site constraints and tree preservation; one member observed the design “maximizes out this lot” but did not oppose the request because the addition follows the existing footprint. A motion to grant the variances cited section 27‑80 of the city code and noted the lot’s 50‑foot width, corner location and the applicant’s efforts to save two oak trees. The motion passed.

The variance will apply only to the work depicted on the approved site plan and — as staff noted — will expire two years from the decision date if not used. The board recorded the approval based on the applicant’s evidence of practical difficulty related to the lot configuration.