Columbia City board approves 7-foot fence variance at 120 South Gregg

At its November meeting, the City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a 7-foot fence at 120 South Gregg on a corner lot.

The applicant told the board the house sits at the intersection of Tugaloo and South Gregg and asked for the extra foot of height to provide privacy and security for three small children and to better contain play equipment. "We would ask that the board approve this fence to be 7 foot instead of 6 foot," the applicant said while referencing photographs supplied to the board.

The request was for a variance to the city’s fence regulations: the board was told the general front-yard fence limit is 4 feet and corner lots are allowed up to 6 feet. The applicant argued that a slight slope and pedestrian activity at the intersection meant a 6-foot fence would not provide the privacy or containment the family seeks.

Board members asked questions about sight lines and necessity. One board speaker said they "can't see over a 6 foot fence" and several members noted examples in nearby Earlwood where corner lots have 7-foot fences. After discussion a motion was made to approve the variance "subject to staff comments," received a second, and passed on a voice vote.

The board did not record individual roll-call votes in the minutes; the chair announced the motion carried. No members stated opposition on the record during the vote. The applicant thanked the board after the decision and the meeting proceeded to adjournment.

The board’s action allows the applicant to install a 7-foot fence within the secondary front-yard setback at 120 South Gregg, subject to any conditions identified by staff.