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Board allows 6‑foot fence at 540 Grama Ave., citing privacy and child safety
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance (ZV25‑009) allowing a 6‑foot fence in a front‑yard setback at 540 Grama Avenue, concluding corner‑lot conditions, a backyard pool and concerns for grandchildren created an unnecessary hardship; approval included limits to the existing height and repair/maintenance conditions.
The North Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved variance ZV25‑009 on Sept. 2 to allow a 6‑foot fence to remain in the front‑yard setback at 540 Grama Avenue.
Staff noted that the property is a corner lot with a pool and that the existing fence extends beyond the front wall of the house at roughly 6 feet. The board discussed that the fence provided privacy and a barrier for the pool while acknowledging the fence's visual appearance in the public view. Staff also explained that the previous fence was damaged during a hurricane and that the current fence was replaced in the same location.
Applicant Timothy Thomas testified he installed the fence for the safety of his grandchildren and to provide privacy after renovating the property. "We've got fence up because we have a pool, but also for the safety of our grandkids," he said.
Board members worked through the ten variance criteria required by the North Augusta Development Code (section 5.1.4.5) and found that the applicant demonstrated unnecessary hardship, extraordinary conditions related to the corner lot, uniqueness compared with neighboring properties, and a lack of detriment to adjacent properties. Staff recommended two conditions: limit the increased height to the existing fence height and permit repair, maintenance and replacement with similar design and materials if the fence is damaged.
A motion to grant the variance with those conditions was seconded by Logan and approved unanimously.
The variance allows the fence to remain at its existing height under the stated conditions; board members did not identify further enforcement steps at the hearing.
