The Margate Planning Board recently granted variances with conditions to former Margate City Commissioner John Amodeo and wife LuAnn for the construction of a garage at their Amherst Ave residence.
The property boasts dual street frontages on Amherst Ave and Edgmar Circle.
Listen to clips from Sept 28 Margate Planning Board meeting.
On Sept 28, they requested a variance for the proposed garage. Variances were also granted for the size of the garage and its positioning.
The board stipulated that garage height should be reduced by 3 feet.
MARGATE Planning Board Approves Variance.
According to Amodeo’s attorney, Eric Goldstein, the garage project had been in the works for several years, but they delayed the application to ensure no influence was exerted while Mr. Amodeo was still a member of the Margate governing body.
Margate Planning Board members agreed that the design and location of the garage were suitable for the lot and the surrounding neighborhood.
However, they expressed concern regarding the height of the garage, which included a second floor for storage.
Planning Board wanted to ensure that the height did not inadvertently allow the space to be converted into a living area.
The board unanimously approved variances for location and square footage, but imposed two conditions.
Amodeos are required to reduce roof height of garage from 20.5 feet to 17.5 feet.
Stipulate that space within garage could not be utilized as habitable space.
With these conditions in place, the Margate Planning Board granted the variances, enabling John and LuAnn Amodeo to proceed with their garage construction plans.
Note: Margate Planning Board blocks live video streaming of their public meetings. Remote public comment is also prohibited. Mayor Collins of Margate selects the Planning Board.
Why is this news, other that imply some wrong-doing (as usual) ? Do you report on every other time a zoning variance application is submitted, reviewed and either approved, rejected or approved with changes? Of course not.
Amodeo waited until his role ended. So why is this “a thing”? Now wait for the predictable criticisms from the handful
of usual suspects on here.