The Rome Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 Oct. 1 to grant an area variance allowing an 8-foot fence in the rear yard at 6866 South James Street.

The variance increases the permitted 72-inch rear-yard fence height in the RR zone under Rome zoning code section 80-13.2 to 96 inches for the property owner, Joseph Sklach. The board recorded unanimous approval during its evening meeting.

Board member Raymond Tucker said he voted to approve the appeal; three other named members—Joe Pasqualetti, Jim DeCastro and John Mangilino—and the presiding member also recorded votes in favor. The United County Department of Planning provided no recommendation on the application in a Sept. 11 memo signed by James J. Genovese, second commissioner of planning.

Sklach told the board he sought the taller fence after wind and a tornado damaged a line of cedar hedges that had provided privacy. “I do have a lot of privacy right now. I have, like, 16 to 18 foot cedar hedges along the side, which is great, but the tornado sort of tore them up some,” Sklach said. He said removing the damaged hedges and installing an 8-foot solid wood fence would regain privacy and reduce visibility from a neighboring property and an alley. He described the fence as solid wood, installed with poles driven into the ground rather than by deep excavation.

The applicant said the new fence would run roughly 22 feet along the front portion and about 145 feet along the left-side property line, with a short return in the rear, and would include an 8-foot gate with a lock. The board asked no members of the public spoke during the public-comment portion.

The board noted the variance addresses the five standards it considers for area variances, and members did not identify an adverse environmental impact in the discussion on the record. Before construction, Tucker and the board advised Sklach to coordinate with Mark Domenico of the codes enforcement office to ensure all required building permits and inspections are obtained.

The board’s approval is limited to the variance described in the application; any building, safety or local-code requirements remain subject to review by codes enforcement.