Resident urges action on fence configurations that hinder access and pose safety concerns

During public comment at the June 11 Whitemarsh Township Board meeting, resident Claire (Ash Lane, Lafayette Hill) described persistent zoning and fence-configuration problems she says have left several backyards landlocked and posed fire-safety and maintenance access issues.

Claire told the Board she has contacted township staff previously and has not received a timely response; she said the fence along her property from the Lafayette Green Condominium sits on the property line and some neighboring properties lack required corridor access for lawn equipment and emergency egress. "I cannot have a, my lawn guy come through the back because [of] narrow opening..." she said, and expressed concern that back exits may be blocked in an emergency.

Charlie Guttenplan, speaking for township staff, described the situation as "very complicated," noting the development lacks a homeowners association and that the ordinance requires a three-foot corridor or two unlocked three-foot gates to provide continuous access. Guttenplan said staff periodically send letters to homeowners and that compliance has been inconsistent across rows of houses. He told the Board the enforcement route, if owners do not comply, would be to pursue court action through the district justice, but inspections and enforcement are labor-intensive because staff need permission to access private backyards.

Board members encouraged staff to work with the homeowner on interim remedies and to consider inspection approaches similar to a staff visit one resident described. There was no immediate enforcement action taken at the meeting; staff said they will follow up with the resident.