When Dave and Sandy Henninger bought their Indialantic home 20 years ago, they paid just $17,000 and used it as a vacation home, keeping a permanent home in Delray Beach.
But now that both are retired they have a new plan. “We want to be here more permanently, so we decided to make it more spacious,” Dave Henninger said.
Their 800-square-foot home on 8th Avenue in Indialantic is surrounded by a mix of original, small homes, and much larger, two-story, newer homes, many selling for $500,000 or more.
Henninger’s home was originally built with a carport – and to increase his square-footage, he decided to enclose it. But town code requires that any change to his structure must include a two-car garage in the plan.
So, to add 160 square feet in living space, he is now also including plans for a 400-square-foot, two-car garage. He said it will cost him an additional “couple thousand” or so – but he’s OK with it.
“I respect the town and the leadership here,” Henninger said. “We love this area.”
Henninger’s neighbor learned about the issue and realized the code might need an update, since many original homes have a carport or a one-car garage, and it can be costly for owners to renovate their own homes within the current requirements.
And this neighbor just so happens to be Indialantic Town Councilman Simon Kemp, so he may be in a position to assist. He said that many houses built in the 1950s and ’60s were constructed with either a one-car garage or a carport.
But all new houses are required to have a two-car garage. So, if a home was built before the requirement went into place, and the homeowner chooses to add onto their home to increase square footage, they must either expand their current garage, if it is a one-car, or add a two-car garage.
“There are several reasons I think the rule no longer serves our community well and that consideration should go into changing this requirement,” Kemp said. “I believe changing the code will help maintain our small-town feel, protect our infrastructure, and protect the lagoon.”
First, he said the requirement places an unnecessary burden on those who live in the older homes in Indialantic and in turn encourages a change in the small-town feel.
“I believe the small older homes add to the charm of our town and I would like to see them stay whenever possible,” Kemp said. “If a resident wanted to expand their living space it could cost them tens of thousands of dollars, on top of the money being spent for the living space expansion, to meet the two- car garage requirement.”
He points to the fact that some of the older homes have small lots that cannot fit a two-car garage without getting special variance, which he said takes time, and may not be approved.
His other motivation involves improving the troubled Indian River Lagoon. He believes that the larger surface of a two-car garage increases stormwater runoff into the lagoon.
Additionally, he said the need for two-car garages may become passé because of “remote jobs, ride sharing, and increased public transportation and walkability.”
The issue was brought up last week during a regular meeting of the Town Council where Kemp asked members to consider an ordinance amending garage requirements.
“The other council members declined to make a decision on the issue and instead decided to send the issue to the zoning and planning committee,” Kemp said. “I’m hoping that the zoning and planning will try to understand the concerns I have raised.”