Commission removes blanket fence prohibition in Trails Edge PUD; residents express support

On Oct. 9 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a modification to the Trails Edge PUD development text to remove language that had prohibited all fencing within the subdivision, allowing property owners to apply for fences under the Hilliard zoning code.

Staff said the original developer had included the anti-fence provision in the PUD text; the city has since taken the position that fences should be regulated by standard zoning rules or by homeowners associations rather than by PUD text. "If approved, the PUD text will be modified to remove the line that prohibits fencing," staff said. Staff reported receiving verbal support from four residents and no formal opposition at the time of the report.

Two residents spoke in favor of the change. Homeowner Bridal Humphrey said she had applied for a white picket fence that "we're gonna do per code," and resident James Rock said he supported the change but raised unrelated concerns about private-street maintenance and responsibilities. Rock noted the subdivision contains private streets built to different construction standards and said private owners are responsible for maintenance when the streets were not built to public standards.

Commissioners clarified the change applies to individual-lot fences permitted under the zoning code, not to a perimeter fence around the entire development. A motion to approve the PUD text modification carried unanimously on roll call.

Ending: The PUD text will be amended to allow individually permitted fences in Trails Edge; homeowners must follow Hilliard fence regulations and any HOA rules that apply.