Board approves variance allowing warehouse expansion despite 0‑foot interior and rear setbacks

The Planning & Zoning Board on July 17 approved a variance that will allow a 4,848‑square‑foot addition to an existing industrial warehouse at 115 NW 16th Street by reducing required interior and rear yard setbacks to zero feet in recognition of the site’s historic nonconforming configuration.

City staff summarized application PZ25‑11000012: the site contains a one‑story, 7,920‑square‑foot warehouse built in the late 1960s that had been subdivided in a nonconforming manner. Principal Planner Max Weems said the lot’s irregular flag shape and limited frontage led the applicant to request relief from the I‑1 district dimensional standards (Section 155.3402(c)) to allow an expansion while bringing the site up to modern development standards for parking, landscaping and drainage.

Applicant attorney Matthew Scott of Greenspoon Marder said the owner purchased the property in February 2025 intending to modernize the facility so his pallet‑manufacturing business can operate there and to lease remaining bays. Scott said the requested variance is necessary because the parcel was illegally subdivided decades ago and ‘‘the only way to bring it up to code’’ and attract tenants is to allow the modest expansion. Owner George Rembos confirmed the team will resolve outstanding code‑enforcement issues as part of redevelopment.

Staff recommended conditions requiring the applicant to obtain necessary permits and a major site‑plan approval, to maintain a minimum 20% pervious area, and to resolve outstanding code violations. The board approved the variance on a recorded roll call: five members voted in favor and one voted no. The variance approval is conditioned on the site‑plan and building permits and on resolving code enforcement matters before final approvals are issued.