Zoning board approves variances for 30-townhouse development on Nottingham Boulevard

The Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of West Palm Beach on Thursday granted five variances to allow construction of 30 fee‑simple townhouses on approximately 1.59 acres along Nottingham Boulevard, approving the applicant’s request 5-0.

The applicant, represented by attorney Harvey Oyer of Schutten Bowen, asked for variances from Section 94-309(g) of the city’s Zoning and Land Development Regulations to accommodate a new‑urbanist design with rear‑loaded garages and a one‑way internal private road. “We are before you this afternoon seeking approval of 5 variances,” Oyer said during the applicant’s presentation.

The variances address (1) lot area minimums for individual townhouse lots, (2) front setback for southern lots that face the park, (3) rear setbacks for northern lots facing Nottingham, (4) front yard landscape location, and (5) side setbacks for terminal (end) units. Staff recommended approval, finding the application met the criteria in Article 2, Section 94‑38(d)(6) of the ZLDRs, and the board imposed two conditions tied to the city’s informal site plan review and subdivision process.

Why it matters: the proposal converts an unusual assemblage of deep, 55‑foot lots into a new‑urbanist townhouse block with units facing Nottingham and Phipps Park, keeping garages and service areas on the interior. The project is in Multifamily Medium Density (MF‑20) zoning in Commission District 5 and is intended to provide ownership townhouse units rather than rental apartments.

Key facts and…