LPA approves side- and rear-setback variances for 340 Washington Court to allow deck and shade structure

The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency on April 21 approved variances for 340 Washington Court to reduce the required 10-foot side setback by 3.25 feet and to reduce the 25-foot waterbody rear setback by 8.75 feet, allowing a deck and a shade/pergola structure attached to the house.

Senior planner Jason Smallley described the property as a "shoulder lot" whose angled shape creates unusable lot areas. The proposal would extend a deck and add a pergola integrated into the house footprint, with the closest point of the house at roughly 6 feet 9 inches from the side.

Homeowners Edward and Andrea Morelli told the board the structure is intended as a covered patio to watch grandchildren and would not require removal of trees or vegetation; neighbors supported the request on the record. Staff found the circumstances supportive of the variance, and a motion to approve the request carried unanimously.

The LPA found that the proposed work would be consistent with existing house setbacks and would not create additional visual intrusion for neighbors given the site's vegetation and lot configuration. Standard staff conditions accompany the approval.

Outcome: Variance 202626340 was approved by a unanimous vote; implementation steps include meeting any permit and building-code requirements for the proposed deck and shade structure.