05/08/2002BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEAL ON BUILDING/FLOOD CONTROL MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 8, 2002
Present: John H. Logan, Jr. Chair
Edward H. Walker, Jr. Board Member
Michael D. Corcoran Board Member
Carroll Nall, Jr. Board Member
Absent: Pankaj Shah Board Member
Also Present: Bill Wright Building Construction Inspector II
Kevin Garriott Building Official
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #A - Approval of Minutes – February 13, 2002
Member Walker moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 13, 2002, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
ITEM #B - Continued Requests – None.
ITEM #C - New Requests
ITEM #C1 – Case #BAA 02-04 – 724 Eldorado Avenue, Clearwater; Dr. & Mrs. John McClure, Owner; Request a variance to Chapter 39 of the Florida Building Code. Chapter 39, To allow construction
to be built within 3’ 4” of the sea wall. Located in Mandalay Sub Block 2 Lot 7 & rip rts. Parcel #05-29-15-54666-002-0070.
Allen Green, designer, said the applicant is requesting a variance of three feet four inches from the seawall to allow for a staircase. The seawall is only 16 inches high and does
not actually serve as a seawall. The water is 200 feet from the seawall. Mr. Green said some buildings in the area, including the one at 730 Eldorado Avenue, have existing structures
that go all the way to the seawall. He said he submitted photographs to Mr. Garriott of some of those properties. Mr. Green said a second floor rear deck is being constructed that
requires a staircase. He has submitted two designs for the deck and staircase. He said he did not know how many columns would be used for the deck until the concrete is broken up to
reveal what if any structures are below ground level. Mr. Green said the plat map for the adjacent lot at 730 Eldorado Avenue does not show a seawall, as it is covered up with sand.
In response to a question, Mr. Green said pilings and grade beams would be used to construct the stairs and deck. He said if it appears that the staircase is too close to the seawall,
it could be constructed on the side of the building. In response to a question, Mr. Green said as he forgot to include
the staircase, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow a structure within 4 inches instead of 4 feet of the seawall.
Discussion ensued regarding the seawall. It was felt that as the “seawall” is not being used as such as serves more as a concrete slab covered in sand.
Member Corcoran moved to approve the applicants’ request for a variance to Chapter 39 of the Florida Building Code to allow construction within 4 inches of the sea wall at 724 Eldorado
Avenue. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #D -Pending Matters
City Inspector Bill Wright said the case regarding 712 Eldorado Avenue which was heard at the February 13, 2002, meeting, may be heard at the next meeting unless the Legal Department
advises otherwise. The owners had made a request to allow construction of exterior pressure-treated wood frame staircase and landing on shallow footings within the 18-foot seawall setback.
The Board denied the requested variance due to a lack of representation and explanation regarding the request.
ITEM #E - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:36 p.m.