PLDRC approves several variances, continues one case and accepts a withdrawal; summary of votes

At the Feb. 20 Volusia County Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission meeting commissioners heard multiple variance requests, approved four cases, continued one to March 20 and accepted a withdrawal. The body recorded unanimous votes among the four members present for each action.

The commission accepted the full withdrawal of rezoning application Z-24-016 by vote. Planning staff indicated the applicant had consulted an attorney and asked to withdraw the application; because the item had been noticed the commission voted to accept the withdrawal.

The commission recommended approval of the following variance cases and related motions (mover/second and vote are recorded as in the meeting minutes):

- V-25-006 (variance to minimum yard requirements on A-1 prime agriculture property at 1235 Harper Road, Pearson): Motion to approve by Commissioner Shelley; second by Commissioner Costa. Vote: unanimous (4 ayes). A staff-recommended condition was added after the initial approval and the commission reopened the case to record that staff condition before finalizing the recommendation.

- V-25-007 (variances to minimum yard requirements and ADU regulations for an urban single-family R-3 property): Motion to approve by Commissioner Shelley; second by Commissioner Costa. Staff recommended denial of variances 1–3 for the ADU relocation but provided two conditions should the commission choose approval. The commission approved variances 1–3 with the two staff conditions. Vote: unanimous (4 ayes).

- V-25-008 (renovation of an existing single-family residence; variances to rear-yard setback, front-yard setback, increased lot coverage and increased building height): Motion to approve variances 1–4 with one staff-recommended condition by Commissioner Costa; second by Commissioner Shelley. The commission approved the variances with the staff condition. Vote: unanimous (4 ayes).

- V-25-014 (variance to allow an ADU greater than 50% of the living area on a 40-acre parcel in A-1/FR zoning; applicant proposes a new primary mobile home and conversion of the existing mobile home to an ADU at approximately 50.5%): Motion to approve by Commissioner Costa; second by Commissioner Shelley. Public commenters raised code-enforcement concerns about accessory structures and RVs on the parcel; staff and legal counsel advised those complaints should be handled by code enforcement and that only one ADU is allowed per parcel. The commission approved the variance. Vote: unanimous (4 ayes).

The commission continued V-25-010 (applicant request) to the March 20 PLDRC meeting on motion by Commissioner Costa and a second by Commissioner Shelley. A public speaker requested the continuance and the applicant agreed; the commission recorded the continuance by unanimous vote.

Town-hall and staff items: Planning staff reported two new PLDRC appointments from County Council (Emily Bush and Christopher Ersen) and that Commissioner Patterson's term would end; staff asked commissioners to notify applicants at the start of meetings when fewer than the full board is present. Commissioners also discussed receiving paper copies of meeting packets; the commission asked staff to draft a letter to county leadership requesting printed packets be restored or a stipend increase to cover printing costs.

The presence at this meeting was four voting members (Miss Craig, Miss Shelley, Mister Costa and Mister Mills); two members (Mister Cixner and Mister Patterson) were absent. For cases requiring four positive votes for variance approval, staff informed the public at the start of the meeting that with only four members present approval would require unanimous support among those present.

Recorded motions, movers, seconders and vote tallies below follow the transcripted meeting record.