Resident Kathleen Tellez seeks front-yard fence; Hobart redevelopment board cites ordinance, requests survey

Kathleen Tellez, an applicant and resident, sought permission at the March 5 Hobart City Redevelopment Authority meeting to install a fence extending toward the front of her house to create an outdoor area for two small dogs. The board reviewed aerial imagery, raised concerns about setting a precedent and did not grant a variance at the session.

The Chair said the authority’s fence rules are rooted in a code change and cautioned against exceptions that would create inconsistent outcomes in neighborhoods. “We can’t be careful, because if we allow you to do that, then we’re setting precedent,” the Chair said, explaining the board’s reluctance to let a front-yard fence extend to the curb line.

Tellez described the property constraints and her objectives: she told the board she has limited yard area and wants a fenced area for her dogs to access without using the alley or driveway. “I have 2 little dogs and the lot is consumed by the house,” Tellez said, adding that she had provided images of the proposed fence (noting they were AI renderings).

Board members examined street view and aerial images during the discussion and suggested alternatives that would avoid violating the ordinance’s intent. One committee member suggested running the fence to the front corner of the house and using a side yard or adding an additional man door in the garage to access a rear strip; another member noted older fences that predate the ordinance are typically grandfathered and that exceptions historically have been limited to unusual lot configurations.

The board repeatedly referenced an ordinance change adopted in 1983 as the basis for the current front-yard restriction and said that grandfathered fences remain exceptions, not a model for new allowances. “If you start allowing it, it’s not just one petition,” a committee member said.

Rather than approve a variance at the meeting, members advised Tellez to obtain a formal property survey to establish exact property lines and to consult the building department about workable placement and compliance. The Chair said a stamped survey could be used to confirm how far the applicant could lawfully place a fence and recommended the applicant notify neighbors about intentions before proceeding.

Next steps: the board did not take formal action to grant the requested variance at the March 5 meeting. The applicant was directed to provide a property survey or coordinate with building officials and may return with corrected plans or follow the building-department process for any necessary permits.