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St John BZA approves corner‑lot fence variance at 9234 West 91st Place
Summary
The Town of St John Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 4 approved a variance to allow a 4-foot wrought-iron fence 18 inches from the sidewalk at 9234 West 91st Place, citing child safety and drainage concerns; the vote was 4-0.
The Town of St John Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-0 on Feb. 4 to grant a developmental variance that lets a homeowner build a 4-foot wrought-iron fence 18 inches from the public sidewalk at 9234 West 91st Place.
Daniel Price, the property owner and applicant, told the board he moved into the house about five months ago and asked for the setback so his grandchildren would have a flat, dry play area and his small dog would have space away from a wet, sloped drainage area. "I have grandkids that will be over at the house often. That gives them an area to play in the backyard," Price said, and described placing the gate closer to the house so children would not have to walk toward the street.
The application sought relief under municipal code provision STJMC 24-516(e)(3) to allow the fence to be located 18 inches from the sidewalk. A board member raised a maintenance and accessibility concern, noting that "18 inches is the minimum distance" tied to ADA clearance for a walk-through path and asking that the gap be kept clear of overgrowth. Price responded that he had chosen the 18-inch placement "knowing that the ADA was approved there" and said he would maintain the area.
The board first approved routine minutes from its Jan. 6, 2026 meeting earlier in the session by the same reported 4-0 margin. For the variance motion, an unnamed board member moved to approve, citing that strict application of the zoning ordinance presented practical difficulties for the property; Price seconded the motion. The board recorded the motion as passing 4-0.
The applicant said the fence design complies with the subdivision covenants (a 4-foot, see-through wrought-iron style) and that sight lines to the street would not be impaired — he estimated roughly 130 feet from the corner of the fence to the corner of the street and about 19 feet to the nearest street edge. The meeting record shows no public commenters on the item. The board reported no new or old business and adjourned the Feb. 4 session.
