Resident seeks zoning variance for eight-foot deer fence amid population surge

A growing deer population is wreaking havoc on Baltimore neighborhoods, prompting residents to seek solutions at a recent Board of Municipal & Zoning Appeals meeting. Homeowners expressed urgent concerns about the increasing number of deer damaging gardens and landscaping, with one resident detailing the destruction of azaleas and hollies in her yard.

The resident, who has invested significant time and effort into creating a beautiful garden, highlighted the inadequacy of a five-foot chain link fence that fails to deter the deer. She noted that the fence, owned by a neighboring development, is further compromised by a slope that makes it even less effective. “The damage they’ve done is extensive,” she stated, emphasizing that the deer population has surged without any control measures in place.

The discussion revealed that the deer issue is not isolated, affecting multiple homes in the area. Residents are frustrated by the lack of options available to them within city limits, as neighboring counties have more aggressive deer control measures, including culling. “We pay city taxes and get county deer,” the homeowner lamented, underscoring the disparity in wildlife management.

In response to the ongoing problem, the resident is seeking a zoning variance to install an eight-foot deer fence, which she believes is necessary to protect her property. The board members acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the property’s topography and the need for a more effective barrier. “It’s a lot easier for deer to go over something lower than to make the effort to go over a higher fence,” one board member noted.

The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency regarding the deer population's impact on quality of life and local landscapes. As residents await a decision on the proposed fence, the broader implications of urban wildlife management continue to resonate throughout the community.