Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Variance Parking Setback topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Adjustment denies variance request for parking pad at 613 North Tamarack
Summary
The Brandon Board of Adjustment denied a resident's request to reduce a 20-foot setback to allow a parking pad north of a garage, finding no unique hardship tied to the property.
The Brandon Board of Adjustment on Wednesday denied a variance request that would have allowed a parking pad inside the 20-foot side-yard setback at 613 North Tamarack.
The applicant, Mike Trailer, told the board he only recently discovered that the first nine feet of land inward from the sidewalk are city right-of-way and not his property, and asked for an approximately 8–9 foot setback variance so he could add a pad north of his garage. "I would like to put a parking pad to the north of my garage," Trailer said, adding that he bought the house without realizing the unusual property inset and that the pad would let his children park off the street and provide space to load a camper.
Board members and staff described the corner-lot rules and said the city's setback standards are measured from property lines, not sidewalks. Planning staff explained that the lot is already approximately 15 feet wider than interior lots to accommodate the greater corner-lot setback. The board repeatedly noted that the variance standard requires a hardship tied to the physical condition of the property and that the circumstances presented did not meet that test.
Planning staff also explained that Redwood is a designated arterial and truck route and that, in the future, the sidewalk there is planned as a shared-use path and could be at least 10 feet wide if rebuilt — factors the board said supported preserving the larger setback on that corridor. "It's a large right-of-way because that's our truck route, and it's an arterial road in Brandon," staff said.
After discussion, a board member moved to deny the variance; the motion was seconded by Bassett and carried on a voice vote with all members present voting in favor. The board advised Trailer of his appeal rights, noting the procedure and timeline in the zoning code: "You do have a right to appeal. It's outlined in 15-20-5 of the zoning code within 5 working days," planning staff said. That appeal would be heard at the City Council if the applicant files the required written statement within the time limit.
The denial leaves the 20-foot secondary frontage setback intact at the property; the applicant may pursue an administrative appeal to the council or explore other options that do not require a variance.
No additional council or staff actions were taken on the lot during the meeting.
