Punta Gorda staff opposes 10-foot rear-yard setback reduction for proposed multifamily project; zoning board recommended approval

A request to reduce the required 25-foot rear-yard setback to 15 feet for a proposed multifamily development was presented to the Punta Gorda City pre-agenda meeting, and staff said the city planning recommendation differs from the board of zoning appeals' recommendation.

Rachel Berry, zoning official, identified herself for the record and said staff could contact the chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals to attend the meeting. "We can reach out to the, the chair of the, border zoning appeals and ask if he can come to the meeting," she said.

The application was described as filed by Carlos Reyes as the authorized applicant on behalf of Open Concept Developers LLC, pursuant to Punta Gorda Code Chapter 26, Section 16.10, requesting a 10-foot setback reduction to allow a 15-foot rear-yard setback instead of the required 25 feet for a proposed multifamily development. The council asked whether a representative of the board could appear to explain why the board recommended approval when staff recommends denial.

Council members did not take a vote at the pre-agenda meeting; they asked staff to invite the board chair to the formal meeting so council members could hear the board's rationale and compare it with the staff recommendation. No final decision or formal motion on the variance was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Background information provided in the packet and discussed at the meeting was limited in the transcript. The matter will return to a noticed council meeting where testimony, staff reports, and any materials from the Board of Zoning Appeals will be considered before any official action.

A representative of Open Concept Developers or a formal motion to grant or deny the variance was not recorded in the pre-agenda discussion.