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Variance approved for 6‑foot fence at 113 East Woodlawn to preserve privacy for elderly residents
Summary
The board granted variance ZV25‑010 to allow a 6‑foot fence at 113 East Woodlawn, citing a shared driveway, noise history from an adjacent rental and privacy/safety needs for elderly residents; staff recommended limiting the height to the existing fence and permitting similar repairs.
The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 2 approved variance ZV25‑010, allowing a 6‑foot fence to remain at 113 East Woodlawn with conditions limiting the height to the existing configuration and permitting repair or replacement with similar materials.
Staff described the lot and photographs showing a previous fence and the current replacement. The applicant's daughter, who identified herself at the hearing as Charlene Fagler, said the original fence had been in place since about 2004 and was installed to provide privacy and reduce noise after the neighboring property became a rental.
"That fence has been there for 20 years now," she said, and added that the replacement was undertaken when the driveway was redone this year. She said her parents (ages 89 and 91) rely on the fence for privacy and as a visual aid when backing out of the driveway.
Multiple neighbors and the tenant at the adjacent rental spoke in support, saying the fence is attractive, does not create sightline problems and provides privacy. One speaker noted the inner fence is about 27 feet from the road and that visibility when entering the street was not impaired.
Board members worked through the ten variance criteria (section 5.1.4.5 b) and accepted staff's findings that the shared driveway, slope and long‑standing presence of the fence supported a variance. Staff again recommended two conditions: limit permitted height to the existing fence and allow repair and replacement with similar materials if the fence is damaged.
A motion to grant the variance with those conditions was seconded by Bishop and approved unanimously.
Note on applicant name: the agenda listed the appeal under the name "Charlene Begler," but the person who spoke and gave testimony identified herself as Charlene Fagler; the board record reflects the spoken identification at the hearing.
