Unique variance granted for 300 Harbor Court carport

July 30, 2024

A compelling presentation by a law firm partner and an architect last Tuesday evening offset a Village recommendation of denial and, instead, convinced Council members to allow a two-car carport to be built on a unique property site at 300 Harbor Court.

The property is on a curve with an intersection in front of Harbor Court and Cranwood Road. The existing single driveway has a “semi-blind” area, and 17 feet of swale exists out front before reaching the actual property line.

A series of photographs and diagrams from Tracy Slavens, a partner at LSN Law, LLC and LSN Partners, LLC, who practices land use, zoning, real estate, environmental and government law, and Bryan Pravda, founder and principal architect of Pravda Architecture/Design, PLLC in Jupiter, were instrumental in allowing the change for homeowner Sandra Pimentel.

Six neighbors were notified of the potential plans, and most gave their approval in writing. When Pimentel read a text message aloud from the nearest neighbor who supported her quest, Council members reached a consensus with a 7-0 vote.

According to the resolution, what was being asked is that a 2-foot front setback and a 5-foot side setback be allowed, whereas typically, a 10-foot front and side setback would be required.

Photos “before” and what it would be like “after” were strikingly different, resulting in a more landscape-friendly site. Pavement from the existing curved driveway would also be removed, resulting in an overall 25% decrease in pavement, and the new layer will be passable, according to Pravda. Also, a French drain filtration system is part of the plans.

“The design is good,” Councilman Oscar Sardiñas said. “I thought you did a good job explaining (all the details).”

Vice Mayor Allison McCormick, who said she knows what it’s like to leave a car uncovered in the Florida heat, called it “an excellent presentation. It makes me think twice about it because it is a unique property.”

Council members made it clear this would not set a precedent for variances, especially for the existing “Mackle houses,” as McCormick alluded to.

“This creates a variance for better car parking to improve the overall site … not to create a variance for (just) a carport,” Councilman Frank Caplan said.