Zoning board tables request by Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church for 8-foot community-garden fence after neighbor opposition

The Town of DeWitt Zoning Board of Appeals on April 29 heard public comment on an application from Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church to install an 8-foot fence around its community garden at 5299 Janesville Road (Tax Parcel ID 059-03-08). After extended public comment, the board voted to table the application so the applicant could consult with neighbors and submit additional documentation on materials and deer mitigation.

Pastor Courtney Sineinger described the garden as a 50-year community resource used by church members and community partners. The church said the existing perimeter is temporary plastic netting; the proposed permanent fence would be an 8-foot woven/mesh wire fence intended to deter deer and make maintenance easier. The applicant estimated the garden’s perimeter at about 522 feet and described the garden footprint roughly as 185 by 75 feet in public remarks.

Neighbors who spoke at the hearing objected to an 8-foot fence, calling it visually intrusive in a largely residential area and saying a 6-foot fence would be sufficient. Several neighbors submitted written statements and photographs showing existing screening and tree lines between homes and the garden, and noted the town’s recent deer management activity. One resident who gardened at the site said rabbits, groundhogs and other small animals—more than deer—had damaged crops in the past and that some mitigation measures other than an 8-foot fence could be effective.

Board members and staff noted two technical questions that need clarification: whether the proposed woven wire material complies with the town’s permitted materials list (the code lists wood, stone, other natural material, brick, ornamental metal, vinyl, and black-colored chain link as permitted fence materials) and whether the garden fence qualifies differently from a property perimeter fence. The board advised that building-permit review and the code-enforcement officer will confirm compliance with material and construction requirements during permitting.

After public comment, board members voted to table the matter to give the applicant time to consult with neighbors, provide supporting documents (for example, research on deer-fence height and the materials specification), and coordinate with code enforcement. The board asked the applicant to re-notify people who received the initial hearing notice when the item is re-scheduled.

The board did not make a final ruling on the requested 8-foot height; no binding variance was granted at the meeting.