Board approves 6-foot front gate and columns at 1425 Waverly Road, citing security and design compatibility

The Highland Park Zoning Board of Appeals approved an application April 16 to install a 6-foot front gate and matching columns at 1425 Waverly Road, allowing an exception to the 4-foot front-yard fence-height limit under Chapter 173 fence standards.

Patrick, the city staff member, described BAR202600067 as a request in the R-4 district with the property located at the end of Waverly near Millard Park and a ravine. Staff said the gate and fence would be set back from the road and that police and fire access must be preserved.

Attorney Cal Bernstein, representing the property owner Carrie B. Sachs, said the property is secluded and the applicant retained consultants who recommended a 6-foot fence and gated entry for security; he told the board the gate is set nearly 30 feet off the road and will be heavily landscaped, so the street will not be dominated by tall fencing. "We've been advised that the 6 foot fence is a more advisable for the purposes they're seeking to achieve," Bernstein said, adding that some neighbors contacted the applicant and two expressed support after receiving additional information.

Designer Scott described arborvitae screening and classical columns intended to match the home's Georgian architecture, and showed that the gate sits far enough from the street to allow vehicles to pull in and turn around.

Applying the Chapter 173 standards, multiple board members said the request is suitable and compatible with the block’s character and unlikely to harm orderly growth or property values. A motion to approve the variance as drafted passed on a roll-call vote; members discussed, but did not require, additional vegetation language because screening was already shown in the submitted materials.

The approval will be incorporated into the order and the plans submitted to the building department must be consistent with what was reviewed by the board.