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Commission approves variance for 6-foot open fence to secure Island Inn pool
Summary
The Treasure Island City Commission voted unanimously March 3 to allow a 6-foot open fence along 87 feet of waterfront yard at the Island Inn to better secure an in-ground pool, finding an unnecessary hardship and citing public-safety concerns.
The Treasure Island City Commission voted unanimously March 3 to approve a variance (VAR0005952026) permitting a 6-foot open fence along 87 linear feet of waterfront yard to enclose an existing in-ground pool at the Island Inn.
Braden Evans, principal planner with the community development department, told the commission the pool sits about 6 feet from the waterfront property line and that recent changes in sand elevation and prior storm activity have made the pool more accessible from an adjacent public walkway. Evans recommended approval, finding the application met the city's variance criteria.
John Ocamp, manager at the Island Inn and the applicant, said the height increase is intended to improve safety. "The request is for 6 feet," Ocamp said, adding that the applicant would accept a 5-foot fence if the commission required it. "We'll accept anything that we can get at this point just to safeguard that rule."
Commissioner Cezanne framed the issue as a public-safety matter: "I see this as a public safety issue. I think 6 foot is appropriate," he said during deliberations.
After no further public testimony supporting or opposing the variance (one resident asked whether the decision would set a precedent and was told variances are decided on their merits), a commissioner moved that the city commission "determine that an unnecessary hardship does exist" and approve a 6-foot open fence along the pool property line. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting yes.
The variance approval applies only to the limited stretch of fencing enclosing the pool, not to the entire property. City staff noted the fence design would be an open-style railing that complies with the city's waterfront fence definitions. The commission recorded no required amendments to conditions beyond standard permitting.
Next steps: staff will process the permit consistent with the variance, and the applicant may proceed with permitting and installation under the terms approved by the commission.
