Jacksonville Beach board approves variance allowing carport at 1289 North 2nd Avenue

The Jacksonville Beach Board of Adjustments voted to approve a variance for 1289 North 2nd Avenue, allowing a 5-foot easterly yard setback and a carport in lieu of an enclosed garage.

The board moved to approve the request after hearing from applicants Danielle and Shamila Lowry, who said they purchased the house in 2018 and converted an existing garage to living space around 2020. Danielle Lowry told the board that the remaining side-yard width "just barely fits a car," and said a 5-foot setback would "give us that additional space" to make parking practical. She also said cost was the primary factor in proposing a carport rather than building a new enclosed garage, stating, "cost is the driving factor." The applicants said they have discussed the proposal with neighbors and reported "no contest, no concerns."

Board members questioned whether a carport satisfies the code requirement for a garage and examined whether a two-car garage could feasibly be built on the site's footprint. One board member said the width of the lot is "substandard relative to the requirement of 90 feet, which shows clear and demonstrated hardship with the property as it exists today," and members concluded the lot shape and width created a practical difficulty in meeting garage and setback requirements.

There were no public speakers at the hearing. After discussion the board member who introduced the motion stated the approval was based on "the substantial competent evidence presented in the staff report and all relevant testimony" and referenced the variance standards in section 34-572 of the Jacksonville Beach Land Development Code. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; each available member recorded a yes vote and the clerk announced the variance had been approved.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, 2025): moved and seconded; approved by voice vote. - Variance for 1289 North 2nd Avenue: motion moved by Board member (speaker 4) and seconded by the chair; roll-call votes recorded as yes by the members present; variance approved.

The board also heard a planning-department update about training for new members and scheduling for upcoming meetings; members agreed staff would coordinate an organizational meeting for elections after the new members are trained and sworn in. The meeting adjourned following a motion to close.

Note on transcript inconsistencies: the audio record contains inconsistent references to the case number and to one board member's name (appearing as both "Jeff Trueler" and later as "Jeff Tular"). The board's action and the property address (1289 North 2nd Avenue) are clear in the record; the office of the clerk should be consulted to confirm the official case number and the exact spelling of member names in the formal minutes.