Title
ZV(R)2026-0015 - 0018
Minoska Vazquez & Cristian Filpo
520 SW 178 Way (District 4)
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
PROJECT DESCIPTION / BACKGROUND:
Cristian Filpo and Minoska Vasquez, owners, submitted four residential zoning variance requests to legalize an existing driveway and pool deck for the property located at 520 SW 178 Way in the Silver Lakes neighborhood, which is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD). The PUD does not address accessory structures; therefore, the provisions of the City’s Land Development Code (LDC) apply.
In August 5, 2024, the applicant submitted building permit application No. RX24-09299 to construct a circular driveway at the property. The permit application was reviewed and approved by the city as of April 2025 (See approved permit layout); however, there has been no progress building permit activity since June 2025.
On December 28, 2025, the City’s Code Compliance Division cited the property for work performed without building permits (Case No. 251204274).
As a result of the existing modifications made to the property, the applicant is presenting a plan for the following requests:
• ZV(R)2026-0015: to allow 55% Front Lot Coverage (Total) instead of the required 40% front lot coverage for an existing circular driveway in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
• ZV(R)2026-0016: to allow 54% width of lot instead of the required 40% width of lot for an existing circular driveway in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
After reviewing the petitioner’s initial request and, according to the property’s survey, it was discovered further changes: pool deck into the rear and side required setbacks, and the owner would like to include additional requests for the existing deficiencies:
• ZV(R)2026-0017: to allow 2.3’ augmenting to 2.7’ setback along a segment of the rear property line instead of the required 5’ rear setback for an existing pool deck in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
• ZV(R)2026-0018: to allow 3.3’ decreasing to 2.7’ setback along a segment of the southern side property line instead of the required 5' side setback for an existing pool deck, patio in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
Per staff review of the city’s archives, no permit information can be found for detected work on the property. See copies of historical surveys referenced for swimming pool, deck and screen enclosure permits (No. 95001707, 95005006. Attached).
Per Broward County Property Appraiser imagery, the driveway, deck enlargement had existed at location since at least December 2026 and 2013 respectively (See images images).
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.
VARIANCE REQUEST DETAILS:
ZV(R)2026-0015) is to allow 55% Front Lot Coverage (Total) instead of the required 40% lot coverage for an existing circular driveway in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
ZV(R)2026-0016) is to allow 54% width of lot instead of the required 40% width of lot for an existing circular driveway in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
ZV(R)2026-0017) is to allow 2.3’ augmenting to 2.7’ setback along a segment of the rear property line instead of the required 5’ rear setback for an existing pool deck in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
ZV(R)2026-0018) is to allow 3.3’ decreasing to 2.7’ setback along a segment of the southern side property line instead of the required 5' side setback for an existing pool deck, patio in a single-family residential property, typical lot.
Code References:
ZV(R)2026-0015-0018)
Table 155.620 Accessory Building and Structures
Type, Driveway, Circular, Maximum Dimensions, 40% lot coverage
Type, Driveway, Circular, Maximum Dimensions, 40 % width of lot
Type, Deck or Patio, Side, 5 feet
Type, Deck or Patio, Rear, 5 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.