Planning and Zoning Meeting Minutes

1. Approval of Minutes

Member Saunders made a motion to approve the March 14, 2022, Planning and Zoning Board meeting minutes as presented; Member Choquette seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

2. Resolution 2022-103 - Variance - Cynthia L. Hines-White – Pursuant to Chapter 5). 5-4). F).4).C).1).A)., of the Town of Lady Lake Land Development Regulations which requires the Front Yard Setback Within the MX-5 Zoning District to be 25 Feet. The Variance Request is to Allow the Front Yard Setback to be 18.7 Feet, For Property Located at 223 Gibson Street, Referenced by Alternate Key 1750776; within Lake County, Florida. (Wendy Then)

Senior Planner Wendy Then said this is a continuation of the Planning & Zoning Board meeting held on March 14, 2022, where Resolution 2022-103 was considered. Those minutes are filed in the Town Clerk’s office and are available upon request. The resolution was being reconsidered because there were only four Board members present on that evening and there was a tie vote.

Ms. Then summarized the request by stating that the Town’s Land Development Regulations requires a 25-foot front yard setback within the district where the property is located. The Town’s codes were violated when the White’s erected a carport that had a front yard setback of only 18.7 feet. Ms. White’s husband has since passed away and she is requesting a variance so she can keep the covered storage area provided by the carport and which also provides a shaded area where her grandchildren play. Ms. White has not received any complaints from her surrounding neighbors, and the carport is not interfering with anybody or anything. She said she is sorry and added that she did not know she was doing anything wrong.

Member Choquette wanted to know if the only violation is with the setback of the carport. Ms. Then answered that the setback is the only issue.

Member Saunders asked if Gibson Street is just one block long.

Cynthia White - 223 Booker Street

Ms. White responded that there are only four houses on her road.

Chairman Sigurdson asked about traffic on Gibson Street and Ms. White responded that there is not any traffic except from people who need directions or need to turnaround.

Member Saunders asked if any letters had been submitted in opposition to the garage and Ms. Then answered that only six letters had been submitted and they were all in favor of Ms. White keeping her garage.

Member Regan said there is something in the back of the carport that looks like an appliance and asked why it is there. Ms. White responded that the appliances are freezers where she stores food so she can feed homeless people on Sundays. She also gives out clothing, bags of food and helps people find shelter.

Chairman Sigurdson asked if her husband’s church is still operating. Ms. White answered in the affirmative saying that it is an outreach ministry.

Member Regan asked about the two signs in the yard. Ms. White answered that her husband put them in the yard when Covid-19 first afflicted the Town and they have remained. Member Regan then clarified that the carport is used to store items brought to Ms. White’s home to distribute to those in need and for outside protection where her grandchildren can play, and where people can gather.

Member Choquette said that it is an unfortunate situation, but Ms. White adds a lot to the community, and we appreciate her and are grateful for her contributions to those in need.

Member Saunders made a motion to approve the March 14, 2022, Planning and Zoning Board meeting minutes as presented; Member Choquette seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

2.Resolution 2022-103 - Variance - Cynthia L. Hines-White – Pursuant to Chapter 5). 5-4). F).4).C).1).A)., of the Town of Lady Lake Land Development Regulations which requires the Front Yard Setback Within the MX-5 Zoning District to be 25 Feet. The Variance Request is to Allow the Front Yard Setback to be 18.7 Feet, For Property Located at 223 Gibson Street, Referenced by Alternate Key 1750776; within Lake County, Florida. (Wendy Then)

Senior Planner Wendy Then said this is a continuation of the Planning & Zoning Board meeting held on March 14, 2022, where Resolution 2022-103 was considered. Those minutes are filed in the Town Clerk’s office and are available upon request. The resolution was being reconsidered because there were only four Board members present on that evening and there was a tie vote.

Ms. Then summarized the request by stating that the Town’s Land Development Regulations requires a 25-foot front yard setback within the district where the property is located. The Town’s codes were violated when the White’s erected a carport that had a front yard setback of only 18.7 feet. Ms. White’s husband has since passed away and she is requesting a variance so she can keep the covered storage area provided by the carport and which also provides a shaded area where her grandchildren play. Ms. White has not received any complaints from her surrounding neighbors, and the carport is not interfering with anybody or anything. She said she is sorry and added that she did not know she was doing anything wrong.

Member Choquette wanted to know if the only violation is with the setback of the carport. Ms. Then answered that the setback is the only issue.

Member Saunders asked if Gibson Street is just one block long.

Cynthia White - 223 Booker Street

Ms. White responded that there are only four houses on her road.

Chairman Sigurdson asked about traffic on Gibson Street and Ms. White responded that there is not any traffic except from people who need directions or need to turnaround.

Member Saunders asked if any letters had been submitted in opposition to the garage and Ms. Then answered that only six letters had been submitted and they were all in favor of Ms. White keeping her garage.

Member Regan said there is something in the back of the carport that looks like an appliance and asked why it is there. Ms. White responded that the appliances are freezers where she stores food so she can feed homeless people on Sundays. She also gives out clothing, bags of food and helps people find shelter.

Chairman Sigurdson asked if her husband’s church is still operating. Ms. White answered in the affirmative saying that it is an outreach ministry.

Member Regan asked about the two signs in the yard. Ms. White answered that her husband put them in the yard when Covid-19 first afflicted the Town and they have remained. Member Regan then clarified that the carport is used to store items brought to Ms. White’s home to distribute to those in need and for outside protection where her grandchildren can play, and where people can gather.

Member Choquette said that it is an unfortunate situation, but Ms. White adds a lot to the community, and we appreciate her and are grateful for her contributions to those in need.

Member Choquette made a motion to forward Resolution 2022-103 to the Town Commission with the recommendation of approval; Member Saunders seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 1 with Member Pressley casting the dissenting vote.

Member	Vote
Choquette	Yes
Saunders	Yes
Pressley	No
Regan	Yes
Sigurdson	Yes