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ZBA hears Poplar Street fence case; matter closed after discussion of setback and sight-line concerns
Summary
The Zoning Board discussed a variance to legalize a 6-foot front-yard fence at 195–205 Poplar Street. The applicant argued the fence secures tenant parking; commissioners questioned frontage height and setback compliance and the board closed the matter (no numeric vote recorded in the transcript).
The Bridgeport Zoning Board considered a variance request to legalize an existing 6-foot front-yard fence at 195, 199 and 205 Poplar Street, a five-unit multifamily property with 13 parking spaces.
Attorney Chris Russo said the fence and gates were installed to secure off-street parking for tenants and noted the fence is visually open (aluminum black fencing) and stylistically similar to an 8-foot school fence across the street. He told the board the property provides roughly one parking space per bedroom and that the gates provide security for tenants.
Commissioners and speakers questioned whether the 6-foot height in the frontage conflicts with code (frontage fences are generally limited to 4 feet) and whether the decorative arch at the gate creates an effective height closer to 7 feet. A commissioner noted the neighborhood context, saying an 8-foot school fence exists across the street, and argued the design preserves sight lines because it is not a solid screen.
Members also raised practical concerns: one commissioner said they observed the gates sitting open on multiple visits, and others noted that had the fence been lower or designed differently the same security objectives could be met. After discussion of context and precedent, the clerk closed the matter for 195–205 Poplar Street. The transcript does not include a numeric roll-call vote or explicit statement of approval or denial in numeric tally form.
