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Board grants variance to enclose screen room at Palm Harbor home
Summary
A variance allowing conversion of a covered screen room to a conditioned closet at 1334 Michigan Avenue in Palm Harbor was approved 7–0. The board found no change in building footprint and required standard permits, fees and a right‑of‑way/utility use permit for a detached shed in a utility easement.
The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals on Feb. 5 approved a variance permitting an owner to enclose an existing covered screen room into conditioned space at 1334 Michigan Avenue in Palm Harbor.
Michael, the county staff presenter, described the request as converting approximately 134 square feet of existing under‑roof space to conditioned space with no increase in building footprint. The variance sought reduced setbacks: a 5.8‑foot side setback where 6 feet is required and a 6.8‑foot rear setback where 10 feet is required in an R‑3 zone.
Staff recommended conditional approval and added that the property owner must obtain a right‑of‑way/utilization permit because the current detached shed is located in a utility easement; the shed is allowed because it is portable but must be movable should utility access be required.
Homeowner Woodrow Bekelheimer spoke for the application. With no opponents present, Board member Baumstein moved to approve staff's recommendation and Board member Ello seconded. The motion passed 7–0.
The approval requires the applicant to secure applicable permits and the right‑of‑way/utilization permit for the shed in the utility easement.
