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Neptune Beach council declines to advance blanket 8-foot residential fence change
Summary
On first reading April 6, the council debated an ordinance to raise privacy fence height from 6 to 8 feet; planners described the change as straightforward but several councilors opposed a blanket amendment and a motion to approve failed for lack of a second.
Councilors discussed and did not advance ordinance 2026-03, which would amend Neptune Beach’s land development code to increase the allowable privacy fence height from 6 to 8 feet.
Planner Miss Whitmore presented the request as “a pretty simple straightforward request” to change the privacy fence height. Councilors raised concerns about community character and uniformity: Councilor Messinger said he was “opposed to a blanket change,” arguing most communities cap fences at 6 feet and additional screening is usually provided with plantings. Vice Mayor Livingston said he worried the city would become “hodgepodge” rather than uniform. Councilor Horvath said residents had called for “more privacy.”
After discussion and no public comment, a motion to approve the ordinance was made but did not receive a second, so the council took no action on the proposed code change.
Councilors suggested the existing code’s corridor exceptions and case-by-case review remain important tools for balancing privacy and neighborhood character. No vote was recorded on final passage because the motion lacked a second.
The item remains at first reading status with no further action recorded at this meeting.
