Hilliard zoning board rejects request to place six-foot privacy fence near Copland Court sidewalk

The Hilliard Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 16 failed to approve a variance that would have allowed a six-foot privacy fence to be installed near the public right of way along Copland Court at 5270 Gladstone Place.

The board voted against the applicant’s request after a staff presentation that said the proposed placement would put a privacy fence within roughly 3 feet of the right-of-way line and about 4 feet from the sidewalk at its closest point, and that the zoning code’s intent was to allow a lower, open ornamental fence nearer the street on corner lots. "Staff respectfully recommends that the proposed hearings be denied," the staff member told the board.

The applicant told the board she sought more privacy for her children and described wanting to alter where the fence begins on the house but was concerned about losing yard space. At the podium she said, "I don't wanna... cover all the house. You know? Yeah. And I hope you guys approve me because I have 3 kids." She also later referred to one child during discussion; the…