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Lantana council approves gazebo variance, denies carport and accessory‑separation variances at 1124 Julia Heights Drive
Summary
After a quasi‑judicial hearing, the Lantana Town Council approved one variance for a gazebo at 1124 Julia Heights Drive (4‑0) and denied two other variance requests for a carport and accessory‑to‑primary separation (votes recorded in transcript as 3‑0 and 3‑1).
The Lantana Town Council on June 22 held a quasi‑judicial hearing and voted on three variance requests for 1124 Julia Heights Drive after hearing staff reports, the property owner’s testimony and neighbor comments.
Development Services Director Nicole Ritz told the council that code enforcement had observed unpermitted accessory structures at the address and that, absent a demonstrated hardship, staff typically recommends denial. She summarized the three requests: (1) a variance to allow a 9.8‑foot side setback on the east side where the code requires 15 feet; (2) a variance to allow a 2.75‑foot side setback on the west where the code requires 7.5 feet; and (3) a variance to allow an accessory structure (a gazebo) to sit 3.75 feet from the primary structure where the code requires a minimum of 6 feet.
Property owner Cody Katami said the gazebo (purchased from a retail supplier about seven years ago) and a proposed aluminum carport were intended to protect a boat and make a usable backyard; he said he had worked on permits since the previous November and supplied surveys and equipment specifications. Katami acknowledged the gazebo is bolted down but told the council it can be disassembled if required.
Neighbors who spoke at the hearing — including Paul Scarcello and James Mott — said they had no objection to the improvements and urged the council to approve the request for the gazebo.
Council action: Council member (speaker 8) moved to approve Variance 26‑001 (the gazebo) for the property at 1124 Julia Heights Drive and the motion passed 4‑0. An initial motion to approve Variance 26‑002 (the carport/side setback) did not receive a second; council then moved to deny that variance and the vote is recorded in the transcript as carrying 3‑0. Council denied Variance 26‑003 (the accessory‑to‑primary separation/gazebo proximity) after a motion to deny passed with a vote recorded as 3‑1.
Development services staff had noted that corner‑lot side setbacks in Lantana are larger than typical side setbacks and that code treats structures bolted to the ground as permanent; those points were central to council discussion. Staff emphasized that variances require demonstration of unique hardship, which the clerk’s and staff’s review did not find for the carport and accessory‑separation requests.
The council’s votes concluded the quasi‑judicial portion of the meeting and staff will follow up on the code enforcement file for the property.
Next steps: The applicant may pursue permitted alternatives or seek modifications that conform to setback requirements. The town manager and development services staff will manage any required compliance or enforcement actions arising from the council’s decisions.
