the uh March 18th, 2026 meeting to order. And before we continue, I have a public statement to read. This is a public hearing and we are the zoning board of adjustment for Putnham County, Florida. We operate under the
authority of articles 11 and 12 of the land development code as amended. The primary responsibility of the board is to hear and decide appeals challenging final determinations made by planning and developing services department under the land development code and to hear
and act upon requests for variances special use permits non-conforming use determinations and primary development plans under the land development code. Uh since the only thing we have today is a variance, I'm going to read the information on a variance. A variance is
a relaxation of the requirements of the zoning coord code. In a particular case where because of unusual circumstances, a literal enforcement of our zoning code would result in undue or unnecessary hardship. The zoning code permits us to authorize
variances only for height, size of structure, size of yards, and open spaces. If we grant a variance, we may impose reasonable conditions on the use of the property which must be satisifi satisfied if the variance is to remain
valid. The standards we use in deciding whether or not to grant a variance are listed in section 45-833 of the land development code. Procedurally, we call each case by name and number. A member of the SCA staff will briefly explain to us the nature of
each request. We will then take any comments from the applicant or their representative followed by any public comment concerning the quest. Please direct all comments and statements to the board and not to other people in the audience. Before speaking, we will ask
each person to be recognized. Come forward to the lectum and identify his or herself by name and address. All persons wishing to speak have been heard. We will entertain a motion from the board. The motion will be voted on
by the board members and become our final order. Any decision made by this board can be appealed to the circuit court. However, any appeal must be filed within 30 days after the board of adjustment has rendered the final order which is being appealed.
Are there any questions? Anyone wishing to speak would need to be sworn in. I do not see anyone that wants to speak. So I don't think there's any need to swear anybody in. >> Okay.
The first case to be considered is variance 26 0000001. Uh good afternoon board. For the record, Ethan Thompson, Planner One, Planning and Development Services, presenting V26-0000001. This is an application by Ronald
Robertson and Selena Wood at 107 Hicks Avenue down in Crescent City uh for a variance to reduce the waterfront setback from 50 ft to 31 ft which is a total of a 19 ft reduction in the residential 1A zoning district so that they can develop a single family
residence. Uh we will get into the details of it in a minute but the background is that they would like a setback reduction to develop the property. Here is an aerial of the property.
We've got the zoning, the flood zone and the wetlands. So for the criteria there are special conditions and circumstances exist which are comput which are peculiar to the land the structure or the building or the development design. Um our analysis
is that the the pro the subject property is a point 0.44 acre property which is zoned R1A that's approximately 200 feet wide approximately 114 ft deep from the front lot line to the canal. um parcel was part of a bound boundary
line adjustment in 2005 where it was altered from a 0.08 acre parcel to its current 0.44 acre configuration. The proposed configurations were approved by the county and resulted in a parcel which cannot be developed within 50 foot of the water body due to the waterfront
setback unless a variance is granted. Uh at the time of the boundary line adjustment, the county did not consider canals to be water bodies. Um, and we didn't consider them water bodies officially until 2025. Uh, so the parcels only had to meet the lot size requirements of the zoning
district. Um, so the peculiar condition is that it is um it has a a non-conforming waterfront setback. The special conditions and circumstances described in paragraph A above do not
result from a failure on the applicant's part to follow applicable county, state, or federal land use regulations and building codes. Um, special conditions and circumstances are not the fault of the applicant. Uh, the boundary lines were adjusted in 2005, which is before the applicant purchased the property in
March of 2024. Granting the variance will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by this code to other lands, buildings or structures in the same zoning district. Um it would not be cons considered special privilege. Setback reductions are the most common variance
in Putnham County. Um and property owners in any residential zoning district have the right to apply for one. Um, worth noting that in 2020, a reduction of 25 ft was granted to a parcel on the south side of Hicks Avenue for the same reason.
A literal interpretation of the provisions of the ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same zoning district under the terms of this code and would place unnecessary and undue hardship on the applicant. Uh, it could deprive the applicants of rights
enjoyed by other property owners. Uh the R1A district does not specifically regulate allowable uses for waterfront development, but it does allow for the development of a single family structure in the established setbacks or with the approval of a variance to reduce those setbacks when that spe when special
circumstances are involved. A denial of the variance could restrict the applicant's ability to develop their single family structure. uh granting of the variance would be in harmony with the general intent and purpose of the ordinance um or otherwise not injurious to the area. The intent of
variances in Putnham County is to grant applicants development rights uh where a condition exists that would prevent it otherwise. Granting this variance allows the applicant to develop a single family structure on their parcel without which they're not they are currently able not
able to build their proposed structure. Um kind of strictly speaking, we don't consider a single family residential structure injurious to neighborhoods. Uh it is the minimum variance that is
that would minimum variance that will make possible the reasonable use of land. Um without a survey or detailed plans of the property, um it's kind of hard to assess for us whether it's the minimum. So there might be some flexibility in the house. U it it may
not be the minimum possible. Staff finds the requested variance meets the majority of the criteria for issuance of a variance under LDC section 45833. As such, staff recommends approval of the requested variance to reduce the waterfront setback from 50 ft
to 31 ft uh for a total of a 19t reduction in the R1A zoning district. Uh the variance will run with the land in perpetuity. Are there any questions? >> Any questions for staff? Before we proceed, let's have a roll
call if there's any exparte communications or conflict of interest on this case. >> Michael Rurn, Ron West, >> no. >> Willie McGee, >> no. >> Dan Dodge, Cole Wilkinson.
>> Can we also have a roll call on uh site visits? >> Michael Rurn, Ron West, >> yes. Willie McGei. >> Yes. >> Dan Dodge. >> Cole Wilkinson. >> Okay. Since we don't have the applicant here
or anyone to representative at this time, we will co uh close public input and open it up for motion or discussion by board. >> Mr. Chair, motion to approve the uh variance as presented. >> Second.
>> We have a motion to approve and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed. We have a 6 vote. Uh
so the variance passes. I'd like to remind the applicant that there is a 30-day appeal process, but he needs to work closely with staff. Okay. The next agenda is three, election of officers.
Thank you, sitting chair. Nominations are now open. Do I hear any nominations for the zoning board of adjustment chair? >> I'd like to nominate Linda Osbbor. Second.
>> Any others? Hearing none, I declare the nominations to be closed and we will proceed to a vote. All in favor of retaining Miss Osborne as the chair of the zoning board of adjustment, please raise your right hand.
60 for the record. All right. And finally, nominations are now open for the vice chair. I'll nominate Ron West. I have a motion.
>> Have a second. Do I have any other nominations for the vice chair? Hearing none. Nominations are closed. All in favor of Ron West to be vice chair of the zoning board of adjustment, please indicate by raising your right hand.
>> Can I vote against? No sir, let the let the record show a 60 vote for Mr. West. Thank you. Um just as a quick disclaimer, we ran into the same situation with the planning commission
appointment of chair um last month or two months ago. Um we just have to check with Miss Osborne that she will accept the position. and we'll do so um either via phone call or email and then we'll circle back with uh this group the next time we have a meeting.
>> Okay. Is there any old business? Any new business? >> Well, uh Mr. Chair, it's not necessarily new, but we haven't seen you folks in a while. Um so Nancy Brown is now our senior planning coordinator. She is the
managerial position for the planning and zoning department. Um that occurred sometime December. Uh so she's been wonderful running this team. Um I've wished her lots of luck, but I don't mind wishing her continued luck at this point in time.
>> I don't know that I have anything else. >> Approval of minutes October 15, 2025. >> Mr. Chair, I have I was president. So, we're just we've just missed your attendance and exparte communication in those minutes.
>> Yes. >> Do we have a motion to approve the minutes uh with the amendments? >> Mr. Chair, a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve the amendments as amended. All those in
favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> Anything else? >> No sir. >> Mr. Chair, motion to adjourn. >> Like to adjourn. >> Mr. Chair, motion to adjourn.