Sugar Grove board discusses Settlers Ridge 4-foot corner-side fence resolution after homeowners speak

Trustees of the Village of Sugar Grove discussed a proposed resolution to allow 4-foot fences in corner side yards within the Settlers Ridge Planned Development District (PDD) after residents and the homeowners association (HOA) spoke in favor of the change.

Residents Brian Pich and David Seksauer spoke during public comment, describing safety concerns (coyotes) and the HOA’s internal decision to allow 4-foot fences in certain locations. Community Development staff said they found nine existing 4-foot corner-side-yard fences in Settlers Ridge but could not locate legal approvals for those installations and that the village code currently limits corner side-yard fences to 3 feet across most of the village. The plan commission voted 4–2 to recommend allowing 4-foot fences in Settlers Ridge.

Trustees emphasized that any allowance should preserve sight-line (triangle) requirements and limit fences to decorative picket styles that do not obstruct visibility. Staff noted the proposed approach would avoid amending the entire Settlers Ridge PDD by instead adopting a village resolution that permits 4-foot picket-style fences in corner side yards in that neighborhood, subject to site-triangle compliance and limitations on privacy fencing.

No final roll-call vote on a village resolution was taken during the discussion. Staff told the board it could prepare a resolution for consideration at the next board meeting, and trustees indicated support for a limited, condition-based allowance rather than a villagewide change.

The village’s Community Development staff will prepare draft resolution language that: (1) restricts any approved 4-foot fences in Settlers Ridge to decorative/picket styles that do not obstruct site triangles; (2) excludes privacy fencing in the corner-side yards; and (3) references the village’s sight-triangle requirements. The resolution would return to the board for formal action.