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Homeowner seeks retroactive approval for 6-foot front-yard fence at 506 West Lester Street
Summary
A homeowner requested a conditional use permit to retain and replace an existing 6-foot solid fence in the front yard at 506 West Lester Street; staff noted the fence predates Winchester—s zoning fence permit requirements and recommended conditions if the CUP is granted. The Planning Commission will hear the formal case Nov. 19.
A Winchester homeowner is asking the Planning Commission to allow a 6-foot, solid fence in a front yard where the city code limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and 25% openness.
Planning staff explained at the Nov. 6 work session that the conditional use permit application (SCU-24-732) would allow a property owner to exceed section 18-9-4 of the Winchester Zoning Ordinance when compliance is impractical or an alternative design is preferable. The subject lot, 506 West Lester Street, is zoned Medium Density Residential and measures about 0.25 acres. Staff said an existing 6-foot fence is already on site and predates the ordinance that now requires zoning fence permits.
"Technically, per section 18-9-4, any fencing that a property owner can demonstrate that compliance with the Winchester zoning ordinance is technically impractical ... then a CUP can be granted," planning staff said during the presentation. Staff showed photos of the existing fence and the applicant—s proposed fencing, describing about 30 linear feet of 6-foot fencing along the front yard. Proposed staff conditions include requiring the fence to be installed within one year of conditional-use approval, the submission and approval of a zoning fence permit prior to installation, a 6-foot maximum height, and a requirement that replacement of the fence would trigger a new CUP application.
The homeowner who spoke at the session said the fence configuration has been in place for about 25 years and that sections are falling apart. She asked whether retaining a similar fence would cause harm and noted the front yard functions as a private space at the dead-end street. Commissioner (S11) characterized the request as "reasonable." Planning staff confirmed the application will return to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and a recommendation to City Council on Nov. 19.
No vote was taken at the work session. The commission will consider the CUP at the public hearing and issue a recommendation to City Council, which has the authority to approve or deny the permit.
