Board approves shared-dock variances for 3798 and 3800 NE 7th Drive

The Boca Raton Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously on Dec. 6 to grant two variances allowing shared docks with 0-foot side setbacks at 3798 and 3800 Northeast 7th Drive, waiving the city's standard 10-foot side-setback requirement for docks.

Courtney Wood, a city zoning officer, explained that the two properties sit on a canal dead end and that some form of a shared dock has existed at the location since at least 2005. She said the Marine Advisory Board recommended approval at its Dec. 2 meeting and that staff recommended granting the variances with one condition: a signed shared maintenance agreement between the two property owners. "The staff is recommending approval with 1 condition," Wood said.

A representative for the applicant JuleTech, who identified herself only as Dori and said she is acting for JuleTech, told the board she had researched the permit history, reopened an abandoned seawall permit and learned the properties had a long history of conjoined dockage. She said the variance is needed to avoid demolishing an existing structure and to allow a pending sale to close. "We're gonna fight hard to get this variance approved...so we can able to successfully sell the property," Dori said.

After closing the public hearing with no other public comments, the board approved the variance for 3798 NE 7th Drive and then the companion variance for 3800 NE 7th Drive. The clerk recorded both votes as 6–0 in favor. The staff-imposed condition requiring a shared maintenance agreement will need to be documented before final permits or clearances are issued.

The approvals address legacy dock and bulkhead issues noted in the staff presentation and do not include additional conditions beyond the shared maintenance agreement disclosed by staff.