Board legalizes oversized driveway and 20x20 freestanding structure after neighbor support

The Pembroke Pines Board of Adjustments unanimously approved variances on Oct. 2 that legalize existing work at 17024 Northwest 20th Street, including increased front‑lot coverage and driveway width and an exception for a 20‑by‑20 freestanding open‑sided structure commonly described as a tiki hut. The three motions passed by roll call with each board member voting yes.

Staff said the owner submitted two variance requests to legalize an existing driveway and driveway width after code‑compliance activity identified work performed without permits (case number 250501624). The petitions were filed as ZVR2025‑0036 to allow 50% front‑lot coverage (instead of 40%) and ZBR2025‑0037 to allow 52% lot width for an existing driveway. The owner also requested a variance for the freestanding structure; staff and the applicant discussed that county aerial imagery showed the driveway and structure had existed since at least 2023.

Owner Maria Teresa Mejia told the board the pavers and tiki hut were installed in part to accommodate her elderly mother and noted drainage problems in the area that damaged turf. Mejia corrected the record on the structure’s size: “It’s 20 by 20, so it’s 400 square footage total,” she said, asking the board to allow the structure to remain rather than require removal. Several neighbors and nearby residents read letters or spoke in support; Christopher Raymond and Carmelo Tigron described the Mejias as good neighbors and said the structure and yard are well kept.

Board members discussed drainage and reminded the applicant that association approval does not supersede city permitting. The board approved the three variances and instructed the applicants to coordinate with staff and the building department to address any permitting, drainage or landscape requirements during the permit review.