The Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board voted to forward application SV2504, a request by property owner David Bender to vacate a small, undeveloped portion of the Venice Canal right-of-way adjacent to his lot, to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation of approval.

Planning staff presented the request, saying the parcel contains “just shy of 2,000 square feet” and sits in Commission District 3. Staff described the area as partially eroded and under-dredged; the property’s future land-use designation is low-density residential with a Residential Single-Family 3.5 zoning district and lies within a coastal high-hazard/tropical storm surge area and Federal Emergency Management Agency AE flood zone.

The proposal would move Mr. Bender’s property line into the canal right-of-way, grant a drainage and maintenance easement for canal upkeep, and allow the adjusted property line to be used for setback measurements. Staff said the change would increase the lot’s usable setback along the water by about 10 to 15 feet from the current 20-foot side setback to water.

Board members discussed the customary practice of tabling petitions when applicants fail to attend but noted the county had no objections and there were no public comments in opposition. Staff said they had been in contact with the applicant and that the applicant may be out of state. The board chair asked about the schedule for the county commission hearing; staff said the item is scheduled for the Board of County Commissioners’ November 24, 2025 meeting.

A board member moved to forward application SV2504 to the Board of County Commissioners “with a recommendation of approval based on the findings and analysis and the staff report dated 10/13/2025,” and the motion passed without recorded opposition.

The Board of County Commissioners will consider the vacation petition at its public hearing; if approved, the county will record any granted drainage and maintenance easement and update lot lines accordingly. Public notices for this Planning and Zoning Board hearing were mailed to owners within 1,000 feet of the subject property per the county’s procedures.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Forward application SV2504 to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation of approval based on staff findings and the staff report dated 10/13/2025. Outcome: Forwarded to BCC (recommendation of approval).