The Sanibel Planning Commission on April 8 approved an application to allow for elevating the residence at 1495 Angel Drive by 10 feet 3 inches.
A previous amendment to the Land Development Code capped the allowance for elevation at 10 feet, and Commissioner Lyman Welch questioned whether that should be changed if they were allowing an additional three inches.
The application was for a variance and had to meet the seven required conditions to be approved. In response to the seven questions, the applicant wrote, “Applicant wishes to elevate her home because ALL neighboring houses are elevated more than 10 feet above her.” In addition, the response said they are seeking relief from the restrictive minimum standards likely to result in destruction during storm events of only Category II, and to comply with FEMA best practices and anticipate forthcoming increases in recommended elevations. It also said the elevation is necessary for the “rhythm and harmony” of the neighborhood to “combat the visual and aesthetic oddity of one house in the neighborhood not being elevated the same as the others and presenting a stunted eyesore under the requirements of that section.”…