Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/297477
As recently as April 7, a 91-year-old resident of the Terrace East condominium complex at 5300 Ocean Blvd., who has owned that unit since 1973, sent an email to the commission- ers pleading with them to deny the request. "During the time I have lived at Terrace East, I have personally witnessed a number of weather incidents that have caused erosion and serious flooding to Beach Road and the lot involved in the above variance request," she wrote. "Significant damage could be done to the surrounding properties as well as the natural beachfront as a result of construction on this lot. The changes made in this variance request when compared to the variance request for the same property in 2013 are minimal and should result in denial of variance petition for all the same reasons it was denied in 2013." STAFF REPORT The staff review of the Allens' latest request notes that while facts do demonstrate con- sistency with the approval criteria for the variance, those are outweighed by the aspects of the plan that are inconsistent with the criteria. For example, the construction of a three- story residence over a parking area, with 3,088 square feet of habitable area, and a paver driveway of 1,421 square feet "may not be viewed as the minimum necessary for rea- sonable use of the property." The report does point out that the modified petition removed the pool, pool deck and landscape retaining wall that were part of the Jan. 9, 2013 request. Other positive factors are that about "4,114 square feet of the 7,652-square-foot lot will remain as unaltered dune habitat and native vegetation," and the Allens "have proffered planting 1,350 square feet of dune vegeta- tion in areas where non-native plants are to be removed." However, the review also points out, "The site is located in a high hazard coastal area that has exhibited dynamic shoreline changes over the past 60 years," and "The project would result in direct impacts to more than 3,538 square feet of existing shoreline stabi- lizing dune habitat and native vegetation." It adds that the county's comprehensive plan says, "Dune systems and their native vegeta- tion shall be preserved." % For the best viewing experience on a computer click the icon in the menubar to zoom to fullscreen mode. QUICK TIP Sarasota News Leader April 18, 2014 Page 69