Board of Adjustment approves parking variance for 751 Harbor Boulevard (PZ 2026-3)

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Wagner Property Group, LLC is proposing to redevelop the site at 751 Harbor Blvd. by demolishing the existing building and constructing a new 3,333 square-foot bank building with a drive-through facility. The redevelopment includes on-site parking and vehicular circulation to serve both the drive-through and walk-in customers. Based on the proposed site plan, the applicant is requesting approval of 23 parking spaces. As per Land Development Code (LDC) Table 8-6 “Sector 52 Finance and Insurance,” 1 space is required for every 250 square feet of gross floor area, plus each drive-in teller window shall have a minimum storage lane capacity of 5 motor vehicles. The applicant proposal of 23 spaces would exceed the maximum of 13 spaces that is allowed. This exceeding of the parking maximum occurs because the applicant desires to have a relatively small bank branch (hence low square footage) but still be able to serve customers' and employees' parking needs. Becaues the Code parking requirements are based on square footage, this presents a relatively low parking requirement and maximum for the site, and the applicant seeks relief in order to provide when it deems to be sufficient parking. REQUEST: Bohler Engineering FL, LLC on behalf of Wagner Property Group, LLC, is seeking relief from LDC Section 8.06.10.B, which provides a maximum parking allotment for properties within the Old Destin Multimodal Transportation District. The code requires a maximum of one space per 250 square feet of gross floor area for the use “Finance and Insurance” (Sector 52). The Applicant is requesting 23 parking spaces for 3,333 square feet of gross floor area (approximately 1 space per 145 square feet of gross floor area). There is sufficient area on site for the parking, and the issue is that the Code currently contains a parking maximum as of the date of this application (City Council is currently considering removal of the parking maximum from the Code and an ordinance is in the works for Council consideration). The subject property is located at 751 Harbor Boulevard, Destin FL, 32541 (00-2S-22-0701-000H-007A). Applicant: Wagner Property Group, LLC Agent: Ryan Hilerman, Bohler Engineering FL, LLC Location: 751 Harbor Boulevard, Destin FL, 32541 Size of Property: Approximately 0.97 acres (42,253.2 sq. ft.) Current Zoning: Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU) Future Land Use Map Classification: Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU) Legal Notice: The legal notice for the proposed variance request was submitted for publication in the Northwest Florida Daily News with publication dates of January 25, 2026, and January 30, 2026. Request: The applicant is requesting a variance from LDC Section 8.06.10.B, which states that, ‘Within the Old Destin MMTD sub-area, the number of vehicle parking spaces provided on-site shall not exceed the maximums and shall not be less than 80 percent of the minimums indicated in Table 8-6: Number of vehicle and bicycle parking spaces required, for the specific use or uses. ’ | attachments=10 | reports=1