Design board approves variance to add lattice at privately sited fence on Estella Drive

The Town of Tiburon Design Review Board voted 3-0 to approve a variance that allows a two-foot lattice atop an existing fence on a sloped portion of the property at 1 Estella Drive.

Philippa Norman, presenting for the property owners, told the board the full fence along the shared lot line is about 152 feet long and that the lower, downhill portion—about 52 feet—was damaged in a storm and previously varied in height between 8 and 11 feet. Norman said the lower segment is not visible from the street or other neighbors and that the proposed two-foot lattice would restore privacy between the two properties.

Norman said she reviewed the applicable Town of Tiburon fence and wall code criteria and believed the request met the five elements required for a fence taller than 6 feet. She said the immediate neighbor at 1 Burke Court, Rama Ranganath, supported the variance.

Board members who visited the site described the slope and said the request was consistent with the findings they could make. A member suggested a vertical (ladder-style) lattice rather than a diamond-style pattern; the presenter said she had no strong preference and was open to a vertical option. Staff confirmed the planting and wall details are on the landscape pages of the submitted plans.

During deliberation members discussed plant sizes and planting maturity as screening measures for other matters on the agenda; for the fence variance the board did not add a design condition beyond the lattice approval. A motion to adopt the resolution approving the variance passed by voice vote; the board recorded the vote as 3-0 with two members absent.

The board chair instructed staff to finalize the resolution and noted that design details such as lattice orientation could be handled through building permit review or in coordination with staff.