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Board approves setback variances to preserve Cherokee Park’s grand oaks
Summary
The Board of Adjustment granted two front‑yard setback variances for a proposed home at 1585 South Drive, finding the reduced setbacks would preserve six protected grand oak trees and maintain neighborhood character; the motion passed 4‑1.
The City of Sarasota Board of Adjustment on Monday approved a request to reduce two front‑yard setbacks for a proposed residence at 1585 South Drive so the new house can be sited to protect six mature ‘grand’ oak trees. The board approved variance petition 26‑VAR‑02 by a 4‑1 vote.
Applicant representative Joe Medrid told the board the property is an uncommon "hatchet"‑shaped lot that abuts three streets and that platting and subsequent subdivision changes created front‑yard constraints not contemplated when the lot was platted in 1944. "These proposed setbacks are strategically located to preserve the healthy grand oaks and avoid encroachment into critical root zones," Medrid said, pointing to certified arborist analysis in the application packet.
Medrid provided neighborhood outreach documentation and several letters of "no objection" from adjacent neighbors and the Cherokee Park homeowners association. He also said the proposed building coverage and impervious area are well under the RSF‑1 zoning maximums and that the finished home would be compatible with surrounding lots.
One board member asked whether the requested reductions were the minimum necessary; the applicant and architect said the siting is designed to maintain tree protection and the established character of the block. A narrow dissenting vote argued that the owner purchased the lot with the existing configuration and questioned whether the plan had been pushed as the first design alternative. The motion to approve carried 4‑1.
The board adopted findings under section 4‑606(b) of the zoning code and approved the variances as limited in scope to the two front yards identified in the application. The applicants may proceed to apply for building permits consistent with the approved setback modifications.
