Pensacola Zoning Board Grants Variance for 1415 East Hatton Street

The Pensacola Zoning Board of Adjustments unanimously approved a variance for 1415 East Hatton Street to reduce the required front-yard setback from 30 feet to 25 feet to allow the homeowner to build a single-family dwelling, the board said.

The board based its decision on evidence presented at a public hearing, including testimony from the applicant, Robert Krasnowski, who said adjacent blocks use a 25-foot lot-average setback and that a previous structure on his lot had a 13-foot setback. Krasnowski, who identified himself as the homeowner and a civil engineer, said he expected a 25-foot result from the lot-averaging calculation and sought a variance after the averaging process produced only a 9-inch reduction (to 29 feet, 3 inches).

Krasnowski said the proposed design moves a garage to the rear and preserves what he described as an East Hill "semi, cottage style appearance." He told the board, "I was really hoping to be in the same category," referring to lot-averaging on adjacent blocks, and pointed to the site's history: "that structure right there has a 13 foot setback." He also emphasized this would be his private residence, not a speculative build.

During deliberations an unidentified board member moved to approve the variance "as requested," and Mr. Williams seconded the motion. One board member praised the proposal's design, saying, "I think it's a lovely plan that you've presented," and noted that pulling the garage to the back and adding a generous front porch aligned with the city's aesthetic goals. The chair announced the result: "Your variance is granted unanimously."

The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. No members of the public spoke on the item. The meeting concluded shortly after the vote.