Council grants fence exception for Hidden Creek subdivision, owners to follow maintenance plan

The Grand Prairie City Council on May 6 approved an exception allowing a board-on-board wooden fence with existing masonry columns along the property line in the Hidden Creek Subdivision, Phase 1, instead of the UDC-required continuous masonry screening wall.

Planning staff said the city’s Unified Development Code requires masonry screening walls in that location but allows the council to grant exceptions. The applicant proposed to retain existing masonry columns and install a board-on-board wooden fence between them. As part of the request, the applicant provided a maintenance plan committing to biannual inspections, annual cleaning, periodic sealing or staining, repairs as needed, and eventual replacement of failed elements. Planning & Zoning recommended approval with an additional condition that, after an initial one- to three-year period, sealing or staining occur every two years; the applicant incorporated that condition into the maintenance plan.

Speakers at the meeting included homeowners and the HOA board representative, who described substantial, recurring maintenance costs and that the masonry wall has structural problems; the HOA representative said full replacement would cost roughly $1 million and would be infeasible for many homeowners. Several residents said they want the wall replaced with a permanent masonry option but acknowledged the prohibitive cost. The council considered the maintenance and safety concerns and voted to approve the exception by voice vote.

Council members and staff emphasized the approved maintenance plan and inspection schedule. Staff enumerated 17 letters of support and four letters of opposition that were received and shown to council. The council recorded the approval and advised the applicant and HOA to follow the maintenance and inspection schedule submitted.