Board of Adjustment approves limited barbed‑wire fencing at Vulcan Quarry after neighborhood agreement

The Board of Adjustment voted to grant variances that will allow Vulcan Materials to finish a chain‑link security fence and install limited barbed‑wire along the rear and the northwest side of the quarry property at 12307 Hebner Road.

The approval came after the applicant, represented by Bill Kaufman of the Kaufman Group, said he and neighborhood associations reached a written agreement to remove barbed wire where the fence abuts Shavano Forest and Shavano Heights homeowners.

Board Chair Orian opened the discussion by outlining staff findings that public safety and security for the working quarry justified relief from setback and fence‑height rules. Bill Kaufman told commissioners the company had met repeatedly with nearby neighborhoods and had signed agreements with two homeowner associations. "We have signed agreements, and I think the fact that no one's here is pretty good evidence we worked pretty hard," Kaufman said. Joe Sanchez, who identified himself as an HOA director, left a voicemail saying the HOA had reached an agreement in principle and that Vulcan would remove barbed wire and drop the height exemption item from its request.

Staff’s presentation noted the quarry pre‑dates annexation, that the site has nonconforming fencing issues, and that the requested variances were intended to reduce trespassing and vandalism. The board’s motion, made by Commissioner Zuna, approved (a) an 18‑foot variance to allow a 2‑foot rear setback in lieu of the required 20 feet, and (b) a 3‑foot variance to allow a 2‑foot side setback in the northwest side and along the rear — limited to where no houses directly abut the barbed wire — with the staff findings of fact attached to the motion.

In roll call, commissioners voiced concurrence with staff findings and with the negotiated conditions. The board also made clear the barbed‑wire installation must comply with the city’s administrative process for barbed‑wire approval (which requires angled strands away from adjacent properties and limits overall height above ground).

Because the applicant agreed to remove barbed wire adjacent to Shavano Forest and Shavano Heights and to pursue required administrative approvals for the barbed‑wire portion of the work, commissioners who spoke said the narrow variances were intended to improve safety while minimizing visual impact on the neighborhoods.

The motion passed. The board determined the variances satisfied the ordinance tests — that literal enforcement would cause unnecessary hardship given the operational and safety needs of the quarry, that the variances would not authorize a new use, and that neighbors’ property interests would not be substantially injured.

The board did not act on a separate height exemption item for the site after staff confirmed the installed fence portion will not exceed the permitted 6 feet in a way that requires the additional variance. Commissioners instructed staff and the applicant to ensure the administrative barbed‑wire review and any required permits are completed.

The board moved to the next item.

Ending: The approval allows Vulcan to complete security work at the quarry within the limits agreed with neighborhood groups; the applicant and staff must complete administrative approvals for barbed wire and follow up with the board if the scope changes.