Board approves 8‑ft masonry wall variance on Keystone Road with landscape buffering condition

Pinellas County’s Board of Adjustment and Appeals on April 1 approved a variance letting a property owner build an 8‑foot masonry wall with columns at a 10‑foot front setback along Keystone Road, where a 25‑foot setback is normally required.

Staff recommended conditional approval, noting a wetland area on the property would have been impacted if the wall were set back to 25 feet; the forward placement keeps the wall outside the wetland. The staff conditions require a finished exterior appearance and landscape buffering to reduce the visual impact along Keystone Road, which is designated a scenic noncommercial corridor.

Applicant representative Drew Donigan told the board the owner sought privacy and security and said similar walls exist nearby. Donigan stated, “That having a road that has 17,000 cars...” during his explanation of traffic exposure. No public opposition was recorded. A board member moved to approve the staff recommendation with the landscaping and finish conditions; the motion passed and the variance was granted.