Brevard County zoning board approves seven variances, denies one after neighborhood noise complaints

The Brevard County Board of Zoning Adjustments met Sept. 17 and voted on eight variance applications, approving seven and denying one after extended public comment about nuisance dogs and unresolved code-enforcement complaints.

The board denied a request from Joseph and Dixie Kent for two variances tied to an existing pole barn the applicants use for dogs, saying unresolved noise and animal-control complaints weighed against granting the relief. Several other applicants won variances for setback or size exceptions, including requests for accessory structures, an AC unit location and replacement primary structures.

The denied application drew the meeting’s most substantive public discussion. Neighbor Glenn Feilner told the board the structure had been converted to a “kennel” and that barking and other disturbances had reduced his family’s quality of life: “Our quality of life has been diminished. Our value has been diminished,” Feilner said. He told the board he had supplied photos and video to staff showing five dogs on the property and asked that setbacks be enforced and the building removed if out of compliance.

Applicants Joseph and Dixie Kent said the structure predated their ownership and that they had reduced the number of dogs after learning of the four-dog limit. “My dogs aren't moving,” Dixie Kent said in rebuttal; “We just need a…