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Planning commission denies variance to keep metal R-panel fence at Joplin Street property
Summary
The Victoria City Planning Commission voted July 17 to deny a variance request that would have allowed R-panel metal fencing at a residential property on Joplin Street after residents raised safety, aesthetics and precedent concerns. Planning staff had recommended approval.
On July 17, 2025, the Victoria City Planning Commission voted to deny a variance request that would have allowed R-panel metal siding used as a residential fence at 902/904 Joplin Street.
Planning staff described the R-panel as a sheet-metal style panel chosen by the property owner to replace a dilapidated wooden fence, and recommended approval. "Staff recommends the approval of the variance and staff has determined the approval of the variance would not significantly change the existing character of the neighborhood and would not be detrimental to the surrounding lots," a planning staff member told commissioners during the public hearing.
Multiple residents opposed the variance and told the commission they considered the fence a safety hazard and an eyesore. Logan Hawes, who said he and his partner are in the process of purchasing 904 Joplin, said the fence "is a huge cause of concern for us as we believe it to be a safety hazard." Hawes cited gaps under the fence that he said could injure pets, differing colors and heights between the two properties, and the proximity of a power pole with an anchored line that he said could make the metal fence dangerous if a line were to fall.
A resident who identified herself only as Kim said the fence "can be picked up from the bottom. It is not secure," and described hearing the panels "howl" in wind and needing to prop the panels with wood. A separate resident at 103 Timber said the panels were installed quickly, that the posts might not have been concreted and that the owner of 902 Joplin had declined a shared-cost proposal to install a single, consistent fence.
The resident at 902 Joplin who spoke at the hearing said the R-panel material was purchased from Amigos Steel Company, that a contractor performed the work and that the fence posts are cemented. That resident said work was stopped after the property was issued a stop-work notice and that some finishing steps — including capping posts — had not been completed.
Commissioners asked whether the fence sat on a property line and whether deed restrictions or an HOA applied; staff said there are no deed restrictions and noted that property owners are responsible for maintenance of space between fences if one owner places a fence inside their property line. Staff also explained that under the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) standard residential fences are typically limited to opaque materials such as wood, masonry or concrete and that director-level discretion to approve alternative materials applies to commercial projects, not residential ones.
Commissioners also raised concerns about the precedent that granting a post-construction variance might set, noting the fence had been installed and red-tagged after complaint-driven inspection. The commission first voted on a motion to approve the variance; that motion failed after members recorded two ayes and multiple opposing votes. A subsequent motion to deny the variance passed. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded as part of the record; the commission chair noted that the city council is the next avenue for appeals or for final action on variances.
The public hearing record for this item will remain part of the planning commission file for 902/904 Joplin Street. The meeting moved on after the vote.
