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Board denies variance for narrower lot at 137 Dory Road North after neighbors oppose garage expansion
Summary
The Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board denied a homeowner’s request for a variance to allow a two-car garage at 137 Dory Road North, finding the application did not meet the six required variance criteria; neighbors spoke in opposition and staff recommended denial.
The Village of North Palm Beach Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board voted 7-0 to deny a variance sought for 137 Dory Road North after staff concluded the application failed to meet the six statutory criteria for a variance and several neighbors urged denial.
Planner Alondra Lopez-Mojica presented staff’s analysis, telling the board the applicant’s request “did not satisfy the required standards for approval.” The property owner, identified in the hearing transcript as Mr. Grove, said he sought the variance to achieve parity with neighboring properties and to accommodate a two-car garage because of his automobile collection. Grove also said his lot was narrower than adjacent lots and that he had attempted to contact neighbors about the project but had received no responses.
Board members questioned whether nearby nonconforming lots could be considered; Village Attorney Leonard Rubin advised that any such instances could not be used to justify a variance for this property. Planning Consultant Alex Ahrenholz noted that nearby lots with 20-foot setbacks were corner lots governed by different standards. Member Cory Cross suggested the applicant explore off-site vehicle storage or reorienting the garage to fit two cars without encroaching into required setbacks. Member Thomas Hogarth asked whether a canvas cover was permitted; Ahrenholz said the code allows a cantilevered canvas cover so long as no supporting poles are used.
Three neighbors spoke against the variance. Deborah Cross told the board the owner knew the lot configuration at purchase and expressed concern that the project would reduce green space and was not environmentally friendly. Tom Brandon and Phil Sullivan also opposed the request. After public comment and board discussion, Member Thomas Hogarth moved to deny the variance; Member Cory Cross seconded and the motion passed 7-0.
The denial leaves the property to remain subject to existing setback and lot-width requirements; no alternative approval or modification was offered by the board during the hearing.
