Charlotte County BZA approves three variances allowing existing garage, pools and homes to remain despite setback encroachments

The Charlotte County Board of Zoning Appeals approved three variances March 5 that allow existing structures to remain despite encroaching on rear‑yard setbacks, ending a contested morning of staff presentations, applicant testimony and public comment.

Elizabeth Nocek, AICP, senior planner with the county’s Community Development Department, told the board that the first case, VAR‑25‑001 at 305 Casale G Street in Punta Gorda, seeks to reduce a required 30‑foot rear yard setback by 12.9 feet so a completed detached garage can remain with a 17.1‑foot rear setback. Nocek said staff’s finding was that the application did not meet all five variance criteria because the contractor built the garage outside the approved site plan and the condition was created by the applicant; staff nevertheless supplied recommended conditions in case the board approved the variance.

The garage’s contractor, James Pollock, told the board, “I made an honest mistake. I was focused more on the front setback,” and said inspections had otherwise passed. Neighbors voiced concern: Sandra Gonzales said the structure is an “eyesore” visible from her pool and alleged occasional grinding and welding inside the building. Mark Lasalle, another adjacent property owner, asked why the mistake was not discovered earlier in inspections and urged…