Neighbors urge removal of barbed wire as Toledo zoning case for 7-foot chain-link fence is continued

The Administrative Board of Zoning Appeals took public comment and continued a case about a seven-foot commercial chain-link fence at 1701 Star Avenue after a neighbor complained about barbed wire and the fence’s appearance.

Bruce Holman, a neighborhood resident, said workers had begun installing barbed wire on the top of the fence and said "barbed wire has no business in the neighborhood." He said the fence and the brackets for barbed wire make the site look out of character with the surrounding residential area.

Staff and a board member advised that barbed wire is only acceptable in industrial-zoned lots and that the application before the board did not request barbed wire; staff suggested making a condition addressing barbed wire if the board were to approve the fence. The board also noted a dilapidated building on the property that staff should document when the case returns.

The applicant was not present. The board voted to push the case to the next month and directed staff to re-notify the applicant so the applicant could appear; one board member moved to continue the case and another seconded the motion. The board indicated it would consider a condition prohibiting barbed wire if the application returns for approval.

No final decision on the fence height or setback was made at the hearing; the continuation preserves the board’s ability to impose conditions when the applicant attends and staff provides the additional documentation requested.