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Board approves fence variance in Darby Station but limits front-yard extension to 10 feet
Summary
The Plain Board of Zoning Appeals approved variance VAR-25-4 for a corner-lot fence in Darby Station with conditions: the fence may extend no more than 10 feet beyond the building line along Pleasant Valley Boulevard and must tie into the home’s back-right corner facing Pleasant Valley Boulevard.
The Plain Board of Zoning Appeals on May 14, 2025 approved a variance for a corner-lot fence in the Darby Station subdivision but limited the extension to 10 feet beyond the building line and required the fence to tie into the dwelling’s back-right corner facing Pleasant Valley Boulevard.
The applicant requested a 4-foot black-aluminum fence to extend approximately 20 feet beyond the front building line adjacent to Pleasant Valley Boulevard. Planning staff explained this would place the fence roughly 5 feet from the sidewalk and that prior variances in the same subdivision had typically been granted to extend 10 feet beyond the building line. The board discussed sightline and traffic-visibility concerns for corner lots, the transparency requirement for front-yard fences (about 50% visibility), and the potential need for a future code amendment that staff is considering to formalize a 10-foot allowance in some new developments.
Board members weighed the standards in the variance procedure (sec. 11-38.05) including whether the variance would be contrary to public interest, whether special conditions exist for a corner lot, and whether the variance would substantially alter the neighborhood character. Members agreed a 20-foot extension as proposed raised sightline and adjoining-property concerns, and the board concluded a 10-foot extension struck a balance consistent with previous approvals in the subdivision.
The motion to approve the variance was made with specific recommendations: limit the fence to no more than 10 feet beyond the front-of-building line along Pleasant Valley Boulevard and require the fence to tie into the home’s back-right corner on the side facing Pleasant Valley Boulevard. The motion was moved by Miss McCoy and seconded by Mister Harriman; the board then approved the variance with the stated recommendations.
Outcome and next steps: The variance for VAR-25-4 was approved with conditions. Planning staff noted that variances are property-specific and do not change the code; a separate code amendment is under consideration to address corner-lot fencing more broadly. Permitting and any inspections will follow standard Planning and Zoning procedures.
