Zoning board denies variance for front-yard fence; tables ADA accommodation for family with elopement risk

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 23 denied a variance request to install a 4-foot solid fence in the front yard at 68100 West Edgerton Avenue and tabled consideration of a separate reasonable-accommodation request tied to the homeowner’s son with autism until the board’s next meeting.

The board voted 4-0 to deny the variance, adopting staff’s recommendation that the applicant had not shown the “exceptional, extraordinary or unusual” property characteristics required to grant a variance. The board then moved the reasonable-accommodation discussion to the next meeting so the applicant can present an updated site plan and additional materials.

Staff told the board the Greenfield municipal code allows decorative front-yard fencing up to 3 feet tall and requires such fencing to be more than 75 percent open. The applicant’s request sought both an increase in height and a fully closed (solid) fence. Staff recommended denial because the lot…