The City of Hollywood Planning Board on Tuesday approved a variance allowing a homeowner at 5441 Estate Oak Circle to build an attached garage within a 10‑foot front setback, down from the 25 feet required by the RS‑8 single‑family zoning district.

Adrian Montoya, planning and urban design, told the board the lot’s irregular, curved frontage reduces the buildable depth at the front of the parcel and that staff found the request consistent with criteria A–C of Article 5.3F1 of the city zoning and land‑development regulations; staff marked criterion D (whether the hardship is economic or self‑imposed) inconclusive and left the determination to the board. "The property has an irregular shape specifically along the eastern property line," Montoya said during his presentation.

Shauna Spear of Knight Law, representing owners Avidan and Melissa Frommer, said the requested setback relief is the minimum needed to accommodate a standard, side‑entry garage. "The need for this variance arises from the physical geometry of the lot, not a self‑imposed condition," Spear said, arguing the existing house sits beyond the required 25‑foot setback and that only the unique lot geometry prevents a code‑compliant garage.

Architect Brian Bullock described design iterations and said neighbors had not objected; the applicant confirmed they have a letter from the homeowners association and offered to provide it to the city clerk. Board member Bob Glickman urged making HOA approval a condition of any city approval to avoid future disputes, and the board ultimately did so. The city attorney reminded members that HOA rules are private agreements and not legally binding on the city, but the board may require evidence of HOA approval as a condition.

A motion to approve the variance with the HOA‑letter condition was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote (motion carries). The approval applies only to the garage setback; any future extension of the main dwelling would require a separate variance.

The board did not identify any additional city permits required beyond the standard building permit process; staff remains available to answer technical questions during permitting.

Next steps: the applicant will deliver the HOA approval letter to staff as the condition of the approval is satisfied.