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Council partially grants appeal allowing 2-foot trellis atop existing fence after coyote and privacy concerns
Summary
After a public hearing and neighborhood testimony the council partially granted an appeal of a Design Review Board condition and allowed a 2‑foot lattice/trellis over a portion of an existing fence at 110 Las Lomas Lane, citing unusual topography and privacy/safety concerns; staff to return with a formal resolution.
The Tiburon Town Council on Oct. 15 partially granted an appeal of a Design Review Board decision concerning exterior improvements at 110 Las Lomas Lane. The improvements had included an exterior spiral staircase, a hot tub and a short section of lattice (a 2‑foot trellis) atop an existing 6‑foot fence; the DRB approved the improvements but conditioned removal of the street‑facing lattice section, reducing the fence height to the 6‑foot limit.
The property owner appealed the condition, arguing that the additional lattice is needed for privacy and to deter coyotes that have attacked pets in the neighborhood. Several neighbors testified they have experienced coyote incidents and supported allowing the lattice for safety. The applicant supplied photographs and a neighborhood petition; neighbors submitted letters of support.
Staff explained that to grant a variance the DRB must make specific findings concerning unique physical circumstances, special privilege, and physical hardship. The DRB was supportive of portions of the fence but could not unanimously make findings 1–3 for the street‑facing section, citing that the street‑facing area is largely flat and therefore did not present a unique physical circumstance necessary to justify a variance.
After public comment and applicant rebuttal, council members discussed topography, view impacts, safety (including two recent coyote attacks reported by neighbors) and the narrowness of the lot. The council voted to partially grant the appeal: the lattice on the rear portion of the fence would remain (as the DRB allowed), and the council authorized retaining the 2‑foot lattice above the gate and the red‑lined, street‑facing corner section shown in the design materials, subject to staff returning with a resolution reflecting the council’s determination. The council directed staff to prepare the necessary resolution for adoption at a subsequent meeting.
Council members emphasized the limited, site‑specific nature of the decision and noted it should not establish a broad exemption for other properties without similar circumstances.
