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Planning and Zoning Board approves 8‑foot buffer wall at Woodfield Country Club
Summary
The board unanimously approved a variance to allow an 8‑foot wall (instead of the 6‑foot maximum) along a portion of Clintmore Road adjacent to Woodfield Country Club, citing limited evening surveillance and security concerns; the Community Appearance Board had recommended approval if the wall is screened by landscaping.
The Planning and Zoning Board of the City of Boca Raton voted 7‑0 on Feb. 19 to approve a variance permitting an 8‑foot buffer wall along part of the northern property line of Woodfield Country Club, located near 5901 Northwest 41st Avenue.
Pam Kitchen, a city zoning officer, told the board the golf course is an accessory recreational use that closes after sunset and that the section of fence adjacent to Clintmore Road is deteriorated. She said the limited natural surveillance along the golf course creates "a special and unique condition where a higher wall height would be beneficial for security," and that the proposal represents the "minimum deviation necessary" to achieve the applicant's objectives while complying with landscaping requirements.
John Wheeler of Caulfield and Wheeler, representing Woodfield Country Club, said the existing fence had fallen into disrepair and the proposed precast wall would be more structurally sound and removable if future easement work is required. He described the requested wall as replacing a failing barrier along a roughly one‑mile stretch and said the homeowners association and board support improved security.
Dan Shannon, general manager with Allied Security, told the board an 8‑foot wall "provides a lot more of a deterrence" than a 6‑foot wall and described instances where shorter walls were easily scaled in neighboring communities.
The Community Appearance Board had reviewed the landscaping plan and supported the wall provided it is properly screened. City staff recommended approval, concluding the landscaped buffer would screen the wall from public view and that the change would not conflict with the comprehensive plan.
No members of the public spoke in opposition during the public hearing. After a motion to approve, the board recorded a unanimous vote in favor; the minutes note the motion passed 7‑0.
The approval grants a variance from the city code limiting wall height to 6 feet for the specified portion of the property, allowing up to 8 feet where it abuts Clintmore Road. The applicant plans to install landscaping to meet city screening requirements as a condition of the approval.
