Jacksonville Beach Board of Adjustments approves variance for 1812 Ocean Drive after 4–1 vote

The City of Jacksonville Beach Board of Adjustments approved a variance for a proposed infill home at 1812 Ocean Drive on April 21, allowing a rear setback of 12 feet and a lot coverage of 48 percent after the applicant reduced the scope of the original request.

Cindy Trimmer, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the board the revised site plan was produced in response to concerns raised at an earlier hearing. "We have decreased the intensity of the request for the setback as well as the lot coverage," Trimmer said, noting the rear setback was increased from 10 to 12 feet and lot coverage was reduced from above 50 percent to 48 percent. She said staff and neighbors had been contacted and that the proposal is consistent with development patterns on the block.

A board member who moved to approve the application said the lot is undersized in both width and length and that the requested coverage, given the parcel’s size and surrounding construction, represented a reasonable use of the land. "It really does justify, in my view, a reasonable use of the lot to achieve a standard design," the board member said.

The chair dissented in part, urging caution under the city’s recently updated land development code. "I'm gonna be the fly in the ointment. I still see issues with this," the chair said, arguing the code includes limits on granting variances for self‑imposed hardships and that purchasers of undersized lots are generally expected to develop within current standards.

After discussion of existing conditions (including that the existing structure extends closer to the rear property line) and improvements such as required curb drainage and off‑street parking, the board took a roll‑call vote. As recorded in the transcript, the clerk called members and the votes recorded were: Douglas Dowell — Yes; Jeff Truler — Yes; Matt Matz — Yes; Gary Hockett — Yes; Owen Curley — No. The motion passed with a 4–1 tally and the applicant’s request was approved.

The motion cited the staff report and testimony presented at the hearing and referenced standards in the Jacksonville Beach land development code. The applicant indicated the owners were available for questions and thanked the board after the vote.

The board returned to other business after recording the approval; no public speakers commented on the case during the hearing.