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Olivette commission approves fence appeal for 9235 Castlereagh Court with conditions
Summary
The Planning & Community Development Commission on June 20 approved an appeal to replace and expand a yard fence at 9235 Castlereagh Court, allowing an ornamental iron section on the west and vinyl on the north and east, subject to staff conditions and a minimum buffer from the curb and added landscaping.
The Olivette Planning & Community Development Commission voted unanimously June 20 to authorize a site‑plan review and allow a mixed ornamental and vinyl fence at 9235 Castlereagh Court, resolving a longstanding dispute over an aging, encroaching perimeter fence.
The property owner, Kevin Lansing, appealed the denial of permit P2024‑0298 and asked the commission to permit a combination ornamental iron fence on the west side and a vinyl section on the north and east sides. Lansing told the commission the existing fence dates to the 1970s and is in disrepair; he argued replacement would improve the property’s appearance and cited several recently built fences nearby as precedent.
The commission’s staff presentation noted the petition engages Chapter 435 of the city code, which limits street‑side privacy fences and favors ornamental designs to preserve sightlines and neighborhood character. Staff located a 02/2003 permit card in the file but could not confirm whether that entry documented a repair or a new installation. Because the lot abuts three streets, staff recommended careful conditions if the commission chose to permit an expansion.
Commissioners pressed the petitioner on exact setbacks, potential visual impacts along North Price Road and Castle Rock Court, and whether approval would set an undesirable precedent. Lansing said his plan keeps the ornamental, more open fence where visibility matters and locates the vinyl sections away from the immediate sidewalk and curb, arguing the proposed design would be more open than the present fence.
After discussion, the commission added clarifying conditions emphasizing public safety and streetscape character: the ornamental fence will be installed only on the west side as presented; the new fence shall remain within the property line and not on the public curb or right‑of‑way; the petitioner and staff will avoid a glossy white vinyl finish and consider neutral tones or additional landscaping where the fence approaches the street. Commissioners also asked staff to ensure any final placement be shown on an engineered or permit‑level site plan.
"The vinyl fence will not be on the West side," Lansing said in his presentation, noting he intended the ornamental section to provide greater openness. Jack Carswell, Planning and Zoning Administrator, flagged the need for a clear justification in the record if the commission grants a variation from the ordinance.
Motion: Commissioner Laura Ragsdale moved to authorize the petition for site‑plan review for a six‑foot ornamental and vinyl fence at 9235 Castlereagh Court per the Department memorandum dated June 20, 2024, subject to staff conditions. Commissioner Sam Wallach seconded. Vote was 4–0 in favor.
Next steps: Staff will work with the petitioner on final permit drawings and finish details before any building permit is issued.
