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Owner told to re-measure stairs; staircase variance continued to April 13
Summary
Hillsborough County hearing officer continued a variance request to allow an existing elevated home's staircase to encroach into the side-yard setback after staff questioned the applicant's 10-foot measurement; the applicant agreed to re-measure and the case was continued to the April 13 hearing for re-notice if necessary.
A homeowner seeking a variance to allow an existing exterior staircase to remain less than the required side-yard setback was told to re-measure the structure and return to the land use hearing officer on April 13 after staff questioned the accuracy of the claimed 10-foot setback.
At the Feb. 9 hearing, Sam Ball of Development Services summarized staff's review of variance 260227, which would increase allowable stair encroachment to produce a 10-foot setback at 9809 Harold Bedford Road in Riverview. Owner Matthew Remsen said the staircase has been in place since the house was built in 1988 and argued moving it would require clearing and create unsafe access for family members with medical limitations.
During questioning the officer noted that the survey included in the record was from 2021 and that staff observations suggested the actual distance could be closer to 7 feet. Ball and staff said the applicant could proceed "at his own risk," but Luce emphasized that a subsequent permitting stage might require an exact, certified measurement.
Because the hearing notice deadlines for March had passed, Marshall and staff told the homeowner that the earliest hearing with proper notice would be April 13; the applicant accepted the continuance and was told to coordinate measures and re‑noticing with staff. The hearing officer continued the case to the April 13 hearing and said the applicant may avoid paying a full reapplication fee if the continuance is handled promptly; otherwise the full fee would apply for delays.
What happens next: the applicant will re-measure the stair location, coordinate notice and sign posting with Development Services, and present again at the April 13 hearing.
