The Fort Lauderdale Board of Adjustment voted to grant a variance that allows several rooftop mechanical units on the 417‑unit Adderley development to remain as installed instead of meeting a 2020 screening rule.

Applicant representative Greg told the board the project — originally reviewed and approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency and renamed the Adderley after jazz musician Cannonball Adderley — now contains more than 50% workforce housing and extensive community‑focused amenities. At final inspection the development team discovered more than 40 roof‑mounted units; they said only two or three are visible from several blocks away because most equipment is set back behind a five‑foot parapet.

City staff (Bert) told the board the relevant code changed in 2020 to require screening to be six inches above the highest piece of rooftop mechanical equipment, and that the project's building permit was submitted in 2022, after the code change. The developer argued the building was designed and largely built before the rule took effect, that extending the parapet or adding full‑perimeter metal screening would be costly and would materially change the project's appearance, and that the requested variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the affordable‑housing component.

After questioning from board members about visibility angles, screening alternatives and the minimum scope of relief, board member Pat moved to grant the variance. The board took a roll call and approved the motion (motion passed by majority vote). The board recorded that the variance was granted as requested; staff will record the decision and note any implementation conditions.

The board’s vote preserves the developer’s approved project as built and allows the Adderley to move forward toward final occupancy without removing the rooftop units. The city noted the change in code and the permit timing in its discussion; staff will note the board’s decision in the public record.