Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Residential Fence Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board grants 9‑foot fence height waiver for 1432 Bleistein Avenue to improve privacy
Summary
The board approved a waiver allowing a 9‑foot wood privacy fence along a portion of 1432 Bleistein Avenue to screen a neighbor’s side door and window, after the applicant presented neighbor support and staff found no health or safety objections.
The Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board on June 5 approved a fence‑height waiver allowing a 9‑foot wood privacy fence along a portion of the west side yard at 1432 Bleistein Avenue to screen a neighboring side door and window.
Staff presented the application and told the board that a fence up to 7 feet does not need a waiver but a fence taller than 7 feet does. Yutona Dye, Community Development Director, said the applicant, Patrick Ream, provided written notices to surrounding property owners and submitted returned letters showing neighbor support. Dye said the neighbor immediately to the west provided a letter stating no objection so long as the fence is built on the applicant's property and meets city standards. Staff reported no health or safety issues associated with the taller fence.
Patrick Ream spoke to the board and explained the fence would screen a side door and window that face into his kitchen, living room and bedroom. Ream told the board he intends to construct the new section of fence in cedar to match existing fencing and that the nine‑foot section would extend from a point beside the house northward to the corner of the house; the remaining portions of fence would remain at six feet as shown on the applicant’s sketch.
Board members confirmed they had inspected the site before the meeting and said they were satisfied that the proposed nine‑foot section would address the applicant’s privacy concerns without adverse impacts to public health or safety. The motion to approve the waiver passed; the transcript records a motion by Ian and a second by Sarah to approve the request and the chair announced "Ayes have it." The applicant was advised to obtain any required permits for fence construction.
Why it matters: The waiver changes the standard residential fence height along a limited portion of a property to address a privacy concern and establishes permit and location requirements. The board’s approval is conditioned on the fence being placed on the applicant’s property and meeting city construction standards.
The record includes the applicant’s letters from neighbors and photographs supplied to staff. The board asked staff and the applicant to ensure the fence follows city standards and building requirements.
