Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-01-10-085 — Tracy McGrady

Request: Variances in R-CE zone to construct detached accessory building (personal athletic training facility) as follows: 1. 9,600 sq. ft. in size in lieu of 1,000 sq. ft.; 2. 25 ft. in height in lieu of 15 ft.; 3. In front of yard in lieu of rear yard.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The proposed facility is for the personal use of the applicant, who is a basketball player with the Orlando Magic. Because of the applicant's unique personal schedule and the need for privacy, he and his trainer need to have access to a facility at any given time during a 24-hour period. There are two small out buildings and a tennis court located in front of Mr. McGrady's home which were permitted under separate Variance approval to a different owner in the early 1990's. The tennis court sits 11 feet from the front property line. One of the out buildings and the tennis court will be removed. The training facility will be located in the area of the tennis court but will be located 30 feet away from the front property line. The training facility has been designed to compliment the house and is a prefabricated building; the building can be taken down and removed from the property when Mr. McGrady moves. Three commentaries were received in favor and three opposed. The opposition was concerned about aesthetics and additional traffic. Staff proposed conditions to mitigate these concerns. The applicant's representative agreed with the conditions, which were adopted by the BZA under action to approve the Variance request. There were no opposing parties in attendance at the public hearing.