Boerne zoning board approves 8-foot fence variance at 405 Watt Street, citing neighborhood context and privacy concerns

The City of Boerne Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals on an unspecified date approved a variance, 5-0, allowing an 8-foot fence on the side and rear yards of 405 Watt Street (Irons and Gram Addition, Lot 185A). The board voted to “accept the findings and approve the variance request” as presented to the board and limited by the front-yard/building-line provisions.

City planner Ben Simmons presented the application on behalf of applicants Scott and Jessica Miller, describing the 0.212-acre property in R2M zoning and explaining that the request would allow an 8-foot fence where the Unified Development Code (UDC) limits side and rear yard fences to 6 feet unless one of several exceptions applies. Simmons said 67 notices were mailed to properties within 500 feet and the city received 11 written responses in favor. He also noted photos of neighboring alleys with fences taller than 6 feet that were permitted before the current UDC took effect and said, “To preserve safety,…