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Residents press zoning board to delay fence variance at Post Island Road over sight-line, speed concerns
Summary
Neighbors urged the Quincy City Zoning Board to delay a variance request to retain a recently erected 6-foot corner fence at Post Island Road, saying motorists’ speeds on Sea Street and inadequate sight lines make exiting unsafe; the board continued the case to July 28 for further traffic review.
The Quincy City Zoning Board on May 26 continued a request by Britney Dunn (ZBA 2565) to retain a recently erected 6-foot corner fence at 7 Shoreside Road (Post Island Road intersection) after residents and a councilor raised safety concerns.
Ward 1 City Councilor David Jacobs told the board he hosted a community meeting and urged the board not to grant a variance while a temporary traffic diet and other interventions remain under review. "I would caution all the members on the board against that," Jacobs said, noting any temporary measures could disappear before a permanent decision is made.
Several residents described daily safety risks when pulling onto Sea Street. Mike Carter of 5 Post Island Road told the board, "good fences make good neighbors," but said vehicle speeds make the intersection dangerous and suggested a traffic light; Jessica Allen, a Shoreside Road resident, cited a written note from the city traffic engineer that "the intersection does not have adequate sight lines" and said a public records request turned up no formal traffic studies.
Members and applicants exchanged technical views: one presenter said sight-line nonconformance stemmed from motorists exceeding speed limits and that lowering the fence to three feet might not resolve visibility because of grading. The board discussed whether planning-board review or additional traffic engineering should precede a variance.
The board moved to continue ZBA 2565 to July 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Aikens said city staff and council representatives would use the interval to coordinate with the traffic department and report back. The continuation gives time for the temporary traffic-diet trial and any data the traffic department compiles.
What happens next: The case returns to the Zoning Board on July 28 for further public input and board deliberation; residents asked the city to report any traffic data or community feedback collected during the interim.
