Temple Terrace board approves wetland setback and lot-coverage variance for 707 Argyle Place

The Temple Terrace Board of Adjustment on Oct. 23 approved variance application BA25-01, allowing property owners Patricia and James Chacho to build an in-ground swimming pool at 707 Argyle Place by reducing the wetland setback from 50 feet to 19 feet and increasing the maximum permitted lot impervious coverage from 47.5% to 50.2%.

Alyssa Livingstone, senior planner for the City of Temple Terrace, told the board the lot is in the R-10 single-family residential zoning district, is about 0.36 acres, contains a two-story house built in 1972 and is bounded on the south by Hillsborough River wetlands. "Staff recommends approval of variance application BA 25 0 1," Livingstone said, explaining that the pre-1990 status of the lot and the wetland setback significantly limit buildable area and that the impervious-coverage request is interdependent with the setback request.

Livingstone reviewed the proposed site plan showing a 628-square-foot pool and decking area and said the city's engineer reviewed the submission and raised no concerns about runoff; she also noted the applicant supplied neighborhood support letters. The planner noted the application originally listed 50.3% impervious coverage but that staff recalculation showed the correct requested maximum is 50.2%.

Applicant Patricia Chacho said neighbors had signed letters supporting the pool and said the family chose an automatic pool cover rather than a fence or screen to limit birds and to preserve river views. "Reasonable use of property is to be able to enjoy your property, especially when you're living on the river," Chacho said.

Board members asked staff to explain applicable code provisions, including section 12-6-65(e)(2) and its subparts (a–c), and to confirm that adjacent property owners had been notified, as required. Staff read the relevant code text into the record and confirmed that notification and the hardship analysis were in the application file.

When making its recommendation, staff proposed three conditions of approval: total impervious surface coverage shall not exceed 50.2%; the authorized 19-foot setback shall be permanently maintained from the delineated wetland line; and construction must be executed strictly in accordance with the approved site plan, with any deviation requiring a new variance petition or administrative review by the community development department.

A motion to approve BA25-01, including the three staff conditions and the staff finding that the hardship criteria were met, was made and seconded. The board voted in favor of approving the variance; the chair announced the request was approved with the listed conditions. The board noted that its action is not final for 30 days and that the owner may pursue building permits following the appeal period.

The approved variance allows the Chachos to pursue building permits necessary to construct the pool and associated decking, subject to compliance with the site plan and the three recorded conditions.