Board grants six-foot front-yard fence variance for 890 Prairie Trail Road

The Sheldon City Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing a six-foot, 100% solid privacy fence at 890 Prairie Trail Road on a corner lot.

The applicant, identified in the agenda as Brandon, said the fence is for safety and privacy and provided photos of comparable fences in the neighborhood. Board and staff discussion clarified that because the property fronts multiple streets it is treated as having multiple front yards under city code; front-yard fences are generally required to be 50% open, so the request entails both a height variance (six feet allowed instead of the usual three feet) and an opacity variance for a fully solid privacy fence.

Staff and the applicant discussed gate design and egress. The applicant said the gate will either slide or swing inward; the public works director will finalize gate egress and width, which staff estimated will likely be between about 12 and 16 feet depending on fence panel sections. Staff also noted that plantings and hedges are governed by code 16.5 (part 4) and that perennial plantings must be set back; the treatment of existing hedges is a matter for administrative interpretation and may depend on planting location relative to the property line.

A neighbor, Brad Zutenhurst, raised concerns about how existing tall plantings on adjacent lots would be treated and whether future plantings could trigger variances; staff explained the code provisions and indicated interpretations are handled case by case.

A board member moved to allow the six-foot solid fence; the motion passed by a 4–0 vote. The board noted the applicant had previously come before the board and that that prior request was denied; the current application was presented with design changes and site clarifications.

The public works director will work with the applicant to finalize gate design and egress before construction permits are issued.