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Council grants variance allowing artificial turf for medical/allergy need, adds 15‑year and hold‑harmless conditions
Summary
The council approved a setback variance for 2099 Ibonito Circle to allow artificial turf and small paver patio to remain, citing a child’s severe environmental allergies and site slope; approval was conditioned on a signed hold‑harmless/indemnification for easement access and a 15‑year review/expiration for the turf.
The Clermont City Council voted June 9 to grant residential setback variances at 2099 Ibonito Circle that allow existing artificial turf and an adjacent paver patio to remain closer to property lines than normally permitted, attaching a hold‑harmless agreement and a 15‑year useful‑life limit on the turf.
Development Services staff had recommended denial, telling council the requested reductions exceeded the minimum necessary and raising long‑term stormwater and subbase maintenance concerns. Staff’s engineering review noted the astroturf installation required ongoing, strict maintenance to ensure the subbase functions and to avoid increased runoff affecting neighboring properties.
Applicant Gerald St. Tilma and his spouse told council they installed the turf after a new pool and irrigation problems created erosion issues, and because their youngest child — three years old — has pediatrician‑confirmed severe allergies to grass, trees and pollen. The applicant said they worked with a civil engineer to reduce impervious area and redirect gutters into the storm system, obtained HOA approval and would accept responsibility for removal and replacement if utilities or city maintenance required access to the easement.
Several neighbors spoke in support. Council debated drainage and easement access risk, and staff recommended a signed indemnification as a condition if council approved the variance. Council Member Strange and others asked that astroturf be revisited when replacement is needed; council amended the approval to include a 15‑year useful‑life review provision and required the indemnification (hold‑harmless) to be executed before final permitting.
The vote to approve, with the hold‑harmless condition and 15‑year review period, passed 5–0.
