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Zoning board approves variance to enclose carport at 228 Nottingham Boulevard
Summary
The West Palm Beach Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance allowing an existing carport at 228 Nottingham Boulevard to be enclosed and used as a garage, reducing the required front setback from 25 feet to 20 feet 3 inches (a 4-foot-9-inch variance). The approval was unanimous and conditioned to apply only to the enclosed carport.
The West Palm Beach Zoning Board of Appeals on March 6 approved a variance that allows the enclosure of an existing carport at 228 Nottingham Boulevard, permitting a front setback of 20 feet, 3 inches where the city requires 25 feet.
The board’s approval, on a 4-0 vote, authorizes the applicant to add walls and carriage-style garage doors to an existing carport; the board placed a condition that the front setback variance apply only to the proposed enclosed carport.
The applicant’s architect, Walter Hyde of Design Our Architects Florida LLP, said the owners, Jane and John Williams, bought the 1937 house intending to keep its historic character while adding secure, unconditioned storage for a vehicle and household items. “They love the area. They love the charm and the character of this house,” Hyde said, describing the change as a conversion of an existing carport rather than a new street-facing garage.
Luis Santini, senior planner with the City of West Palm Beach Planning and Zoning Division, told the board the subject parcel is approximately 0.17 acres and said staff recommended approval subject to the condition that the front setback variance apply only to the proposed enclosed carport. Santini identified the relevant city regulations cited in the application and staff report and summarized the required findings for a variance.
Board discussion focused on compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and the practicality of alternative locations for a garage. Members noted multiple houses on the block already sit closer to the street and that converting the existing carport was preferable to adding a new driveway or a street-facing structure. One board member pointed out that the east side of the house contains bedrooms and bathrooms, making entry to a relocated garage impractical. Standard zoning procedure was followed: the public was sworn, given three minutes to comment, and the board then discussed the case in executive session before voting.
Gary York, a nearby resident who said he owns property at 212 and 214 Nottingham and 4111 Washington Road, spoke in favor of the variance. “I’m here to support this variance they’re asking for because I’m so grateful that they’ve not torn it down,” York said, adding that the owners had invested heavily in restoring the home’s original footprint and style.
Board Member Jonathan Burgess moved to grant ZBA case number 3447; Board Member Dana Picotte seconded. The roll call vote was 4-0 in favor, and the board adopted the staff condition that the front setback variance apply only to the proposed enclosed carport. No other conditions or permits were announced during the meeting.
The case concluded the board’s March agenda; the meeting adjourned shortly after the vote.
