Board grants variances for pool replacement and screen enclosure in Seminole

Pinellas County's Board of Adjustment and Appeals approved two variances on Sept. 2 that allow the replacement of an in-ground pool and the construction of a pool screen enclosure with reduced setbacks at 8381 Monarch Circle North in unincorporated Seminole.

Staff explained (VAR-26-12) that the property is a double-fronted lot; the proposed new pool would be set back about 12 feet from the eastern property line where 20 feet is normally required, and the proposed pool screen enclosure would have an 11-foot front setback. Staff noted a 2007 variance that allowed the existing pool footprint and recommended conditional approval of both variances, subject to obtaining building permits and a right-of-way utilization permit and removing encroachments from a 10-foot utility easement. Contractor Bob Grosso (Better Pools) and Veronica Latour said they pulled the pool back an additional foot to be outside the easement and will pursue the required permits.

A motion to approve both variances in accordance with staff findings carried at the hearing; the board granted the requested setback relief with the stated conditions for permitting and easement clearance.