Board of Adjustment grants variance to add half story to Sea Strand townhouse

The Town of Dewey Beach Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant a variance that will allow a Sea Strand townhouse at Floor Sean Court, Unit 10, to add a half story dormer that extends into the required 8‑foot side‑yard setback.

The applicant, who identified himself as Alan Hi, said the renovation is intended to accommodate a growing family and is modeled on similar modifications already present in the neighborhood. "We're doing a shed roof dormer basically out of the rear," he told the board, adding the third floor would add about 600 square feet and create one bedroom and a bath.

Board members reviewed the four legal factors that govern variances: consistency with zoning, effect on the character of the immediate vicinity, impact on neighbors, and whether an exceptional practical difficulty exists for the owner. No one in the audience spoke against the request. The applicant said neighbors had been consulted and that multiple nearby units have similar top‑floor additions.

After discussion, a board member moved to grant the variance, finding the proposal consistent with the district and the character of the vicinity, and that denying the request would impose a practical difficulty on the owner. The motion was seconded and carried by roll‑call vote.

The approval permits the owner to proceed with the planned dormer, a small deck and interior changes that will add a bedroom and bath while keeping the structure under 2,000 square feet, according to the applicant’s description at the hearing. The board noted that the approval applies to the specific property and facts before it and that each application is considered case‑by‑case.

The applicant may now obtain the necessary building permits and follow inspections required by county and town building authorities.