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San Gabriel council pauses hedge-height change, asks staff to return with comprehensive fence-and-hedge package
Summary
Council members heard a zone-text amendment to remove hedges from fence-and-wall height limits but stopped short of approving the draft. Staff presented proposed language; council directed staff to return with a broader package addressing fences, walls, hedges, maintenance and public-safety concerns.
The San Gabriel City Council held a public hearing on a proposed zone text amendment that would remove hedges from the city's fence-and-wall height limits in residential zones, then agreed to return the item for a more comprehensive package addressing hedges, fences and walls.
Planning Manager Samantha Torres Hart told the council the proposal (ZTA 2044) would amend San Gabriel Municipal Code chapter 153 to remove hedges from the height standards that now set a 4-foot limit in front yards and a 6-foot limit on sides and rears. She said maintenance requirements remain in chapter 98.02 of the municipal code and noted the Planning Commission recommended adoption but suggested the council consider safety and height standards for front yards and uniformity across neighborhoods.
Council members expressed competing priorities. Several members said they prefer hedges to hardened walls for aesthetics and neighborhood character, but they also voiced concerns about public-safety risks (sight-line obstructions, fire risk) and inconsistent enforcement. Council Member Dean and Council Member Ding asked whether maintenance enforcement is sufficient and how the city would handle large, overgrown hedges in the right of way. Vice Mayor Menchaca and others said they would like to consider raising the permitted height for block walls and fences in side and rear yards (options discussed ranged from 6 to 8 feet; the Planning Commission had suggested considering heights up to approximately 9.5 feet), while keeping front-yard rules more restrictive.
After extended discussion staff told the council that code-enforcement cases tied to hedge heights have been placed on hold pending council direction because many hedges in the city are currently out of compliance. Council members asked for more time for community engagement and for staff to return with a single, consolidated ordinance that addresses: hedge heights (with distinct front-yard guidance), fence and wall height options, maintenance and enforcement processes, and potential wildfire and sight-line safety provisions.
Rather than adopt the draft amendment as written this evening, the council reached consensus to bring the item back as a comprehensive package (fences, walls and hedges) for further review and to develop an enforcement and outreach plan. Staff said the consolidated item could come back to council without another Planning Commission hearing if council prefers, or it can go back to the commission for additional input.
The council did not vote to adopt or introduce ordinance 716 at this meeting; instead the item was continued for further direction and drafting.
The discussion included multiple references to existing code sections (San Gabriel Municipal Code chapter 153.127; chapter 98.02 on maintenance), the Planning Commission's recommendation, and practical enforcement concerns staff said affect "dozens, if not hundreds" of out-of-compliance hedges across the city.
The council directed staff to return with a single, more complete proposal that: (1) clarifies definitions (hedge vs. tree/shrub), (2) proposes front-yard and side/rear limits or exemptions, (3) includes maintenance and sight-line safety standards, and (4) presents enforcement and outreach plans for residents. The council left open whether the revised ordinance will return directly to council or be forwarded to the Planning Commission for additional review.
