Board approves three residential setback variances, then elects Mister Connors chair and Mister Betts vice chair

The Daytona Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 19 approved three variances that reduce required setbacks for residential properties and then elected new leadership for the board.

First, the board approved BOA2026-005, a request to reduce the rear-yard setback from 25 feet to 11 feet to allow two existing single-family units at 306 and 310 5th Avenue to be combined and renovated into one home. Pete Zahn of Zahn Engineering (S10), representing owner Jessica Pasky, said the houses are existing nonconforming structures and the connection does not expand the footprint. "The request before you is to allow that setback for this particular small piece of construction," Zahn said. The board voted to approve the variance by roll call (Betts, Connors, McCray, Johnson voting yes).

Next, BOA2026-006 at 1212 James Terrace requested a reduced rear-yard setback from 25 feet to 13 feet to permit an approximately 291-square-foot hard-roof screened room. Sonia Nicasio (S11), representing the owner, said the home is already nonconforming and the screen room would sit behind the existing footprint; board members asked about construction details and confirmed it would be a screened room with composite roofing and screen walls. The board approved the variance by voice and roll call.

Finally, BOA2026-007 at 357 Manhattan Avenue sought to reduce the side-yard setback to 7.5 feet and the rear-yard setback to 10 feet to allow a 600-square-foot (20-by-30) metal storage shed. Property owner Linda Smiley (S12) said the shed would be located in the rear corner to avoid a dip and flooding and allow secure storage; she described the structure as a 12-foot-high prefab metal building. After board discussion about siting, height and minimizing variances where possible, the board approved the requested setbacks.

After case business, the board nominated and approved Mister Connors as chair and Mister Betts as vice chair by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after the election.