Board postpones decision on 6-foot coyote fence at 222 Palaca Street to Aug. 12

The Historic Design Review Board on July 22 continued a request from the owners of 222 Palaca Street to install a 6-foot coyote fence and a vehicular gate, setting the case for a date-certain hearing on Aug. 12, 2025.

Staff member Amanda presented the case and told the board that while the application otherwise complied with design standards, "staff finds that all exception criteria have not been met relative to the proposed height." The applicable code requires yard walls and fences to remain near the predominant streetscape height unless an exception is granted; Amanda said the calculated streetscape average for the block yielded a 4-foot-7-inch limit.

Applicant Gala Bechtel said she had photographed Palaca Street and found a mix of wall and fence heights and types; she argued the street included several taller walls and that a coyote fence would not be out of character. The owners said they preferred a wall at the permitted height if required and that they had initially chosen a 6-foot coyote fence for speed while repairing a failing taller fence.

Board members asked detailed questions about how staff calculates the streetscape average and whether previously approved exceptions are excluded from the average. Staff explained the code’s calculation method and said walls approved by exception or variance should be excluded from the average; board members asked for clearer documentation in the packet showing which walls were included or excluded in the streetscape calculation.

Member Degnan moved to grant a continuance to allow the applicant to present alternate fence or wall options; the motion, seconded and amended to set a date certain, passed unanimously. The case is continued to the Aug. 12, 2025 Historic Design Review Board meeting. Staff noted it would approve an administratively reviewed wall or fence at the calculated 4-foot-7-inch height if the board provided direction on color and wall type.