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Zoning board allows 8-foot cedar corner fence at 7107 Carmona Street over staff objection
Summary
The board granted a variance to allow an 8-foot solid cedar fence on the side-street property line of a corner lot at 7107 Carmona Street despite staff recommending denial under the UDC. The motion passed 8-1.
The Zoning Board on June 16 granted a variance allowing an 8-foot solid cedar fence on the side-street property line of a corner lot at 7107 Carmona Street, overriding staff's stated inability to support the request.
Planning staff explained that the Unified Development Code (UDC) limits solid fences on corner lot side-street property lines to 36 inches (48 inches for transparent materials), and that the applicant's request for an eight-foot solid cedar fence conflicted with that rule. Staff also noted the lot is in Planned Development 310 and that the neighboring property's front yard is adjacent to the applicant's side yard, which could raise visibility concerns; transportation staff reviewed the case and reported no visibility problems from the driveway or adjacent intersections.
Applicant Jose Guerra said the request would move the fence closer to the sidewalk so the family could gain yard area in back; he noted neighboring houses have similar fences and said he had been advised by the HOA to file a city permit first. Guerra provided photos of nearby fences that he said had similar configurations.
Board members discussed visibility and whether similar fences existed nearby; planning staff noted the board was required to consider the UDC standard and public-safety implications. After discussion a motion to close and approve the variance passed by recorded vote 8 in favor, 1 opposed. The approval allows the applicant to build the solid cedar fence to the requested location while still subject to building-permit and inspection requirements.
