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Board approves front‑setback variance for 2747 Ocean Drive ADU
Summary
The Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustment approved a variance to allow an accessory dwelling unit garage forward of the principal facade at 2747 Ocean Drive, citing steep topography and mature trees that make rear placement infeasible; approval included conditions requiring conversion to single‑family and matching principal‑building setbacks.
The Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustment voted to approve BOA Case 20250002, granting a variance to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) garage forward of the principal structure facade at 2747 Ocean Drive.
Planner Kelly presented the staff report and recommended approval after describing the lot as an R2 parcel with an 1,800‑square‑foot duplex built in 1981, noting steep topography to the west and a ravine that make rear placement of an accessory structure impractical. Kelly told the board, “This staff report along with the testimony this evening and all the backup materials are submitted into the record.” She said staff found the application met the six variance criteria and recommended the minimum variance necessary to alleviate the property hardship.
Applicant Catherine Hardy, who identified herself as the owner and resident at 2747 Ocean Drive, spoke in support and answered questions about tree removal and her name change: “My name is Catherine Hardy. Drew, and I live at 2747 Ocean Drive. I'm here. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to apply for this variant.” Hardy confirmed an arborist report identified nine trees to be removed in the front yard for the ADU site, and said the chosen arborist was highly recommended.
During board discussion, members agreed the site's west‑side topography and trees constrain rear development but raised concerns that a front‑facing ADU will read visually as a principal building and therefore should meet principal‑building setbacks. One member asked that any approval explicitly reference both LDC sections relevant to front placement and ADU standards.
A committee member moved to approve BOA Case 20250002, reading findings tied to the six variance criteria and adding conditions including conversion of the existing principal structure to single‑family residence and that the ADU be set back from the front and north side lot lines the same minimum distance required for a principal building under Land Development Code section 4.0 2.03 D. The motion passed on a voice vote with affirmative replies from members present.
The variance will be effective with the board's final order and is subject to the standard 30‑day appeal period to the Nassau County Circuit Court.
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