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Atlantic Beach approves variance for second‑story addition at 345 10th Street
Summary
Following a split Community Development Board vote, the commission approved an appeal and variance allowing a second‑story and garage addition at 345 10th Street on grounds that the owner was adversely affected by later regulatory changes; approval was made under variance criterion related to owner effect of regulations.
The Atlantic Beach City Commission approved, on Oct. 13, an appeal of a Community Development Board denial and granted a variance for the property at 345 10th Street, allowing a second‑story addition over an existing legal nonconforming garage and a reduced side‑yard setback of 4.3 feet.
Amanda Askew, neighborhoods department director, summarized the quasi‑judicial record: the Community Development Board considered the matter on July 15 and failed to approve the variance on a 3–3 vote. The property’s previous lot split and earlier variances left the structure nonconforming; the applicant asked the commission to find that the owner has been adversely affected by regulatory changes and that the addition is a reasonable use of the property.
Applicant Dave Lamar and his wife, Maureen Lamar, told the commission they had surveyed neighbors and obtained signed support; they argued a 7‑inch adjustment along one side is necessary to accommodate a practical, code‑conforming garage and a habitable second story without tearing down a historically modest home. “We’re talking about seven inches along one side of the house … and then be able to put a full height on top of the half story that’s there right now,” Maureen Lamar said.
Commissioners debated which legal findings applied. Staff noted the lot of record itself remained conforming, so the substandard‑lot ground (criterion 6) did not fit; members settled on criterion 4 (owner’s effect of regulations enacted after development) as the appropriate justification. A motion to approve the appeal and grant the variance under that standard carried on a voice vote and the commission approved the variance.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to pursue building permits consistent with the variance; staff will process permits and inspections under normal permitting practice. The record shows the commission considered both the preservation of older housing stock and the surrounding neighborhood context in its decision.
Votes and next steps: The commission approved the appeal (AP25‑0006) and variance (ZVAR25‑0013) under variance ground 4; the CDB’s earlier split vote and the public record are part of the hearing file. The applicant may now apply for permits and must meet any standard building and safety requirements.
