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Commission denies homeowner’s request to allow side-yard sports court
Summary
The commission denied a variance request to allow a side-yard accessory sports court at 1248 Verde Pines; staff and the planning-and-zoning board recommended denial despite HOA approval and a nearby precedent.
The Ocoee City Commission voted April 7 to deny a variance request from the Thomas family to allow a pickleball/basketball court in the side yard at 1248 Verde Pines.
Planner staff said the lot did not meet the four legal criteria required for a variance under the land development code, and the Planning & Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended denial. The applicant and contractor said the homeowners association had approved the court and noted a neighboring parcel with a slab; homeowner James Thomas said limited rear-yard depth left the side yard as the only usable option.
Despite the HOA approval, the commission concluded the request did not satisfy the code’s special-circumstance and hardship tests and voted to deny the variance. The denial preserves the city’s current setback and accessory-structure rules.
Next step: the property owner may reapply with revised plans or use permitted rear-yard options if feasible.
