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Board approves variance to reduce lot coverage at 1554 Lakeside/Linxide Drive
Summary
The Atlantic Beach Community Development Board approved a variance to allow a partially unpermitted property at 1554 (Lakeside/Linxide) to reduce impervious coverage from about 73% to roughly 50.6% after staff said the owner will replace hardscape with permeable pavers and add French drains; the board cited exceptional topographic circumstances for approval.
The City of Atlantic Beach Community Development Board voted to approve a variance for 1554 Lakeside/Linxide Drive that would allow the lot to exceed the 45% lot‑coverage limit in exchange for measures intended to improve on‑site drainage.
Amanda (planner, speaker 4) told the board the property currently measures about 73.3% impervious coverage and that the current owner, who bought the house in 2025, is not responsible for prior unpermitted work. Staff said the applicant proposes removing a wide driveway, replacing it with permeable pavers, converting non‑permeable backyard pavers to permeable material and installing French drains; staff estimated the change would reduce coverage to about 50.6% — a roughly 22.9% reduction.
‘‘The current lot coverage at this particular property is 73.3%,’’ Amanda said, and described ongoing water problems around the foundation, including mold and wood rot, that the applicant attributes to the prior configuration. The homeowner (speaker 7) said the backyard becomes ‘‘a lake back there when it rains’’ and described the driveway and a covered ‘‘Florida room’’ as the primary contributors to the high coverage.
Board members discussed whether the prior unpermitted work and the site’s constraints justified a variance under the governing six‑factor test. The Chair and other members noted the reduction in impervious area and the owner’s planned drainage measures, and one member said the condition of the property and the fact it was a new owner supported finding ‘‘exceptional topographic conditions’’ for relief. A motion to approve the variance on that ground was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote.
The variance will allow the owner to proceed with the proposed revisions, subject to the permitting process and any conditions the city requires. Staff emphasized that because some of the prior work was unpermitted, further permits will not be issued until the property comes into compliance and the variance is in place.
The board then moved on to the next agenda item.
