Residents and landowners of American Beach have expressed their concerns to Staff regarding the construction of new homes within the community and the need to ensure that those homes are compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood.  Specifically of concern is the ability to combine lots to build homes that are significantly larger and more obtrusive to the area.  Subsequent to a community meeting held in October 2020, Staff met regularly with the American Beach Task Force to discuss changes to the LDC to help mitigate those concerns.

The Planning & Zoning unanimously recommended approval of this ordinance at its April 6, 2021 meeting.

This ordinance would amend Article 9A, Residential, Single-Family - American Beach: RS-2AB, and Article 12A, Residential, General 1 - American Beach: RG-1AB to:

1)      establish maximum lot width of 110 feet;

2)      reduce lot coverages from 45% to 40%;

3)      increase front yard (setback) for beach side properties in RS2-AB from five (5) feet to fifteen (15) feet;

4)      increase northern property line side yard (setback) for beach side properties from two (2) feet to eight (8) feet;

5)      decrease southern property line side yard (setback) for beach side properties from fifteen (15) feet to eight (8) feet; and

6)      establish maximum garage door height of eight (8) feet.

The proposed changes are a short-term solution to help protect the unique character of the American Beach community and will supplement the efforts contemplated in the American Beach Cultural Heritage Visitor Experience Enhancement Initiative recently approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The changes have been reviewed by members of the American Beach Task Force, American Beach Property Owners Association, and Friends of American Beach and have been generally supported.  The changes were also presented at a community meeting on February 27, 2021, at Burney Park.  No objections to the changes were received.

This is the first of two public hearings scheduled with the Board of County Commissioners to consider adoption of this item. The second public hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021.

Consider LDC21-002 an ordinance amending Article 9A Of The Land Development Code, Residential, Single-Family – American Beach: RS-2AB, specifically to clarify intent, to add a maximum lot width requirement, to revise beach side front and side yard setbacks, to correct a scrivener’s error, to reduce the maximum lot coverage requirement, to establish a maximum garage door height, to clarify parking requirements, to delete duplicative lot coverage requirements; Amending Article 12A Of The Land Development Code, Residential, General 1 - American Beach: RG-1AB, specifically to clarify intent, to clarify permitted uses and structures on Gregg Street, to add a maximum lot width requirement, to add front setback requirements for Gregg Street properties, To reduce the maximum lot coverage requirement, to establish a maximum garage door height, to delete density requirements, to clarify parking requirements, to delete duplicative lot coverage requirements; providing for findings; providing for severability; and providing an effective date (Second Hearing: April 26, 2021).

Consider LDC21-002 an ordinance amending Article 9A Of The Land Development Code, Residential, Single-Family – American Beach: RS-2AB, specifically to clarify intent, to add a maximum lot width requirement, to revise beach side front and side yard setbacks, to correct a scrivener’s error, to reduce the maximum lot coverage requirement, to establish a maximum garage door height, to clarify parking requirements, to delete duplicative lot coverage requirements; Amending Article 12A Of The Land Development Code, Residential, General 1 - American Beach: RG-1AB, specifically to clarify intent, to clarify permitted uses and structures on Gregg Street, to add a maximum lot width requirement, to add front setback requirements for Gregg Street properties, To reduce the maximum lot coverage requirement, to establish a maximum garage door height, to delete density requirements, to clarify parking requirements, to delete duplicative lot coverage requirements; providing for findings; providing for severability; and providing an effective date.