Title
ZV(R)2025-0047 & 0048
Iyolexis Perez
15221 Laurel Lane (District 4)
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
PROJECT BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION:
Iyolexis Perez, owner, submitted a residential zoning variance request to remove landscape for the property located at 15221 Laurel Lane South in the Grand Palms neighborhood, which is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD) The property follows the PUD guidelines for Single-Family Residences with lots not less than 7,875 Square Feet in area.
On June 6, 2025, the owner submitted Tree Removal Application No. TR2025-0285 to remove (2) Oak trees from the front lot on the property. The permit application was reviewed and approved; however, the petitioner is unable to mitigate the required landscape material at location, and submitted the following request:
• ZV(R)2025-0047: to allow no palms or trees in front of the single-family residential unit instead of the required five palms or trees in front of the single-family residential unit.
Per the property’s survey, it was detected an existing (305 SF) roofed structure, freestanding located contiguous to the pool deck, at rear of the property. The petitioner would like to maintain the size of the existing structure at location, and included:
• ZV(R)2025-0048: to allow 305 SF instead of the required 200 SF for existing Open Sided Structure (Free Standing) in a residential single-family property, typical lot
Per staff review of the city’s archives, no permits can be found for the detected work on the property. Nonetheless, according to Broward County Property Appraiser Imagery, it appears the roofed freestanding structure had existed at location since at least December 2023 (See property changes).
The applicant is aware that Board consideration of residential variance requests does not preclude the property owner from obtaining all necessary development-related approvals or permits.
The property is in the Grand Palms neighborhood. The applicant provided HOA Letter dated June 6, 2025.
VARIANCE REQUEST DETAILS:
ZV(R)2025-0047) is to allow no palms or trees in front of the single-family residential unit instead of the required five palms or trees in front of the single-family residential unit.
ZV(R)2025-0048) is to allow 305 SF instead of the required 200 SF for existing Open Sided Structure (Free Standing) in a residential single-family property, typical lot.
Code References:
ZV(R)2025-0047)
Grand Palms PUD, Design Standards and Criteria Section (3), (A) Typical Lot Landscaping: “In addition to the two street trees in front of each unit, there shall also be a minimum of five (5) palms or trees…”
ZV(R)2025-0048)
Table 155.620 Accessory Building and Structures
Type, Open Sided Structure (Free Standing), Maximum Dimensions, 200 square feet
VARIANCE DETERMINATION:
The Board of Adjustment shall not grant any single-family residential variances, permits, or make any decision, finding, and determination unless it first determines that:
Its decision and action taken is in harmony with the general purposes of the zoning ordinances of the city and is not contrary to the public interest, health, or welfare, taking into account the character and use of adjoining buildings and those in the vicinity, the number of persons residing or working in the buildings, and traffic conditions in the vicinity.
In the granting of single-family residential variances, the Board shall follow Section 155.301(O) Variance:
1. Purpose: To allow for the provision of relief from certain development standards of this LDC for one or more of the following reasons:
a) There are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land or building for which the variance is sought, which circumstances are peculiar to the land or building and do not apply generally to land or buildings in the neighborhood, and that the strict application of the provisions of the zoning ordinances would result in an unnecessary hardship and deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the land or building; or
b) Any alleged hardship is not self-created by any person having an interest in the property nor is the result of a mere disregard for or in ignorance of the provisions of the zoning ordinances of the city; or
c) Granting the variance is not incompatible with public policy, will not adversely affect any adjacent property owners, and that the circumstances which cause the special conditions are peculiar to the subject property.