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DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission approves 6-foot fence variance at 529 Fisk Avenue
Summary
The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a variance to allow a 6-foot privacy fence in a portion of the front yard at 529 Fisk Avenue, citing lot narrowness and neighbor support; staff referenced similar precedent cases and three supporting letters.
The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on April 20 approved a variance allowing a 6-foot privacy fence to be built in a portion of the front yard at 529 Fisk Avenue.
The unanimous vote followed testimony from the applicant, Kyle Riley, and a staff report outlining a hardship created by the lot’s narrow corner configuration. "This is our home… we'd like to just make it a little bit more private," Riley said, describing plans for an aluminum, semi-private fence with cement footers that would sit about 4 feet from the property line (roughly 5 feet from the sidewalk).
City staff (Dan) said the proposed fence location is shown in exhibit A of the April 16 staff report and recommended approval based on the lot width and precedents. Staff noted three letters from neighboring property owners — Susan Wayland Holiday (509 North 6th Street), David and Laurel Loriat (535 North 6th Street), and Michael and Janet Marquart (528 North 6th Street) — expressing support.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the fence placement and neighboring conditions; commissioners agreed the narrow corner lot limits where a privacy fence can be placed under the Unified Development Ordinance. Based on the petition, testimony, and findings of fact, Commissioner Fellabom moved to approve a variance to Articles 7.06.3, 7.06.4 point B and 7.06.6 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow the 6-foot fence as shown in exhibit A. Commissioner Wright seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as Fellabom: yes; Cisler: yes; Wright: yes; Chair McMahon: yes. The motion passed.
The staff report referenced past similar approvals in 2023–2024 (1158 South 5th Street, 928 North 14th Street, and 960 North 12th Street) as precedent for granting variances on narrow lots. The commission did not receive in-person public testimony on the item during the hearing; staff’s packet included the neighbor support letters.
The commission’s action is a final decision on the variance. The applicant said the fence would help block pedestrian traffic through the yard and reduce the effects of occasional corner flooding and trash accumulation.
Chair Phil McMahon closed the public hearing after no members of the public requested to speak. The commission then moved to other routine reports and adjourned the meeting.
