Commission lets staff committee approve fence variances inside zoning buffers

The Woodstock City Planning Commission voted unanimously March 5 to approve a zone-text amendment that expands the Development Process Committee's authority to include administrative variances for fences located within zoning buffers.

Cameron, speaking for planning staff, said many residential lots contain interior buffers that homeowners unknowingly disturb when installing fences or landscaping, producing repeated code-enforcement cases. "The zone text amendment proposed this evening adds to these powers, allowing the DPC to grant administrative variances to allow for fences within these zoning buffers," Cameron said, describing the change as a way to legitimize minor work already undertaken on some properties.

Staff noted the DPC already handles minor variances such as reduced parking or architectural changes and recommended the amendment to avoid a time-consuming public hearing process for small, low-impact encroachments. The amendment would not change permitting requirements for pools, accessory dwelling units or larger disturbances; those still require permits and full review.

No members of the public signed up to speak. Commissioner Chase moved approval with Commissioner Greg seconding; the motion passed unanimously.

The amendment follows a 2018 city update to the buffer ordinance and was recommended by the DPC. If residents wish to install a fence that encroaches into a buffer under the new text, they would apply to the DPC for an administrative variance rather than pursue a full variance before the planning commission and council.