Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-01-10-091 — Mark Blechman

Request: Variances in R-1AA zone to construct brick wall as follows: 1. 7 ft. in lieu of 4 ft. in height within front yard setback area along E. Winter Park Road; 2. Within 15 ft. setback area at the intersection of Winter Park Road and Western Parkway.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant wanted to erect a 7 foot high brick wall across the front of his property abutting E. Winter Park Drive, and extending around the corner at the intersection. The BZA did not have a problem with Variance #2 (wall within the 15 ft. setback area) because the evidence showed it would not cause a traffic visibility problem. The applicant felt his proposed 7 foot high brick wall would be in keeping with the subdivision walls in along the road of similar height and design. The BZA disagreed. Subdivision walls are different than single lot privacy walls. Further, the subdivision walls in reference to are not located anywhere near the applicant's lot. Photographic views of the street showed none of the lots in the immediate area abutting the road had any fence or wall type structures. Nine letters in favor of the request were secured by the applicant. Four commentaries were submitted in opposition. The BZA discussed a possible reduction in Variance from the requested 7 feet to 5 feet. The district representative stated he could not support any Variance to the height requirement as it would be out of character with the community at large.