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Resident Kathleen Tellez seeks front-yard fence to contain dogs; board urges survey and compromise
Summary
Resident Kathleen Tellez asked the Hobart City Redevelopment Authority for permission to extend a fence toward the front yard to create space for two small dogs. Board members said the ordinance generally bars front-yard fences, suggested moving fencing to the front corner of the house and asked for a certified survey before any permit or variance is considered.
Resident Kathleen Tellez asked the Hobart City Redevelopment Authority at its March 5 meeting for permission to extend a fence from her property toward the front yard to give her two small dogs a secure area to run.
The board framed the request against Hobart’s fencing rules, noting the city’s ordinance generally prohibits front-yard fences and that existing front fences are typically grandfathered from a 1983 ordinance change. Chair said the board could not “entertain allowing a front yard fence there for a couple of reasons,” citing the need to avoid setting a new precedent.
Tellez described the lot configuration and the practical problem that, because the garage and driveway layout prevent access to a side yard, she has “two little dogs and the lot is consumed by house mostly,” and said she had images and a survey to show her plan. Board members reviewed aerial imagery and pointed out an adjacent fence line on the neighboring property while exploring alternatives.
Board members suggested compromises that would avoid extending a new fence to the curb or past neighbors’ front lines. One option the board discussed was allowing fencing up to the front corner of the house rather than beyond the house’s front face; another was adding a man door to the garage to allow side-yard access. Staff advised that a certified property survey would be required to confirm property lines before the building department could approve any permit or before a variance would be considered.
“Is she alright?” a board member asked while viewing the street imagery; staff reiterated that the applicant should submit an accurate survey and coordinate with the building department. The board emphasized that exceptions to the front-yard rule are narrowly applied for unusual lot configurations, not for economic hardship.
The board did not vote on a variance at the meeting. Staff instructed Tellez to bring a certified survey to the building department, discuss the specific fence placement with staff, and consult with neighbors about the proposal. The meeting adjourned after closing that item.
