The Board of Adjustment meeting held on July 30, 2025, in St. Pete Beach, Florida, focused on a significant request for a variance concerning a residential dock. The applicant, Micah Thompson, representing Marilyn Orbach Rosenberg, sought permission to demolish an existing dock measuring 10 feet in width and 25.5 feet in length to construct a new dock that would be 6 feet wide and 20 feet long. This new design exceeds the maximum allowable length by half a foot and does not meet the required setback from the southeastern property line.

The dock is located on the east side of Miller Drive within the RU 1 District, where residential docks are permitted as accessory structures. The request for variance is made under the land development code, specifically sections 6.23 d 3 and 4. While the neighboring property owner to the north has signed off on the proposal, the owner to the southeast has not, which complicates the administrative approval process.

During the meeting, staff highlighted that the existing dock is heavily damaged from a recent storm and that the proposed dock would be narrower and relocated further from the neighboring property. However, concerns were raised regarding the need for additional approvals, particularly from the southeastern neighbor, which could affect the outcome of the request.

The board discussed various aspects of the proposal, including whether the applicant had considered rebuilding the existing dock in its current configuration, which would not require a variance. The potential addition of a boat lift on the north side of the new dock was also mentioned, with the understanding that this would likely require further neighbor approval.

Staff did not propose any conditions for the variance but noted that if the board found the applicant had not met the necessary criteria, they could deny the request or defer it for further information. The meeting underscored the complexities involved in dock construction and the importance of neighbor consent in the variance process. The board's decision on this matter will have implications for future dock constructions in the area.