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Hobart redevelopment authority rejects immediate front-yard fence relief, asks applicant for survey
Summary
At its March 5 meeting the Hobart City Redevelopment Authority declined to grant an immediate variance for a front-yard fence at 212 South Ash, asking applicant Kathleen Tellez to provide a certified survey and consult the building department; the board also tabled one application and removed another from the agenda.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority on March 5 heard a request from resident Kathleen Tellez to install a fence extending from the front of her house toward the curb at 212 South Ash and declined to grant immediate relief, telling her to obtain a certified property survey and consult the building department before the board would consider a variance.
Tellez, who identified herself during the public presentation, said she recently moved into the house and wanted a fenced area for her two small dogs. "I have two little dogs and the lot is consumed by house mostly all the way back to the alley," she said, adding she provided photos and a plan to illustrate the proposal.
Patrick, the board chair, said the authority is constrained by the city ordinance adopted in 1983 that generally prohibits front-yard fences. "I don't think we'd be able to entertain allowing a front yard fence there for a couple of reasons," he said, noting the board's concern about setting precedent if it allows fencing up to the curb line.
Board members and staff reviewed aerial and street views of the property during the meeting and discussed alternatives that would meet code while providing usable fenced space. Members suggested Tellez could place fencing up to the front corner of the house (not past the house face), extend a fence along the side yard where space permits, or add a side "man door" in the garage to access a rear strip. A committee member described the city practice of limiting exceptions to unusual lot configurations rather than to financial or personal hardship: "Those extraordinary circumstances... have to do with the land," the member said.
Staff advised Tellez that some neighboring front-yard fences appeared to predate the ordinance and therefore are grandfathered, but any changes to those fences or new installations must meet current standards. The board repeatedly told the applicant she should obtain a certified survey to confirm property lines and then take that survey to the building department before submitting any formal variance application.
Votes at a glance - Motion to table application 25-12 (Zachary Tillman) until the applicant's matter is resolved in city court: tabled by voice vote. - Motion to remove application 25-17 from the agenda due to incomplete public notification: motion carried by voice vote. - Approval of the Feb. 5 minutes and the meeting agenda (as amended): approved by voice vote.
The board concluded the fence item without granting a variance and with a direction to the applicant to provide a certified survey and work with the building department; the meeting adjourned after the items were completed.
