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Resident Kathleen Tellez seeks front-yard fence; board advises survey and code-compliant alternatives
Summary
At the Hobart City Redevelopment Authority meeting on March 5, resident Kathleen Tellez requested permission to extend a fence to the front of her property at 212 South Ash to create a secure area for two small dogs. The board cited a 1983 ordinance limiting front-yard fences, suggested alternatives and asked her to submit a property survey for staff review.
Kathleen Tellez, a resident and applicant, told the Hobart City Redevelopment Authority she wants to install a fence from the front to the back of her property at 212 South Ash to create safe outdoor space for two small dogs. "What I'm trying to do is put a fence and a fence around the front of the property as well as all the way to the back," she said, showing photos and mockups of the proposed layout.
The board said the city code, adopted in 1983, generally does not allow front-yard fences and warned that approving a new front-yard fence risks creating a precedent. "If we allow you to do that, then we're setting precedent," the Chair said, noting that earlier front-yard fences in the neighborhood are likely grandfathered from before the ordinance change.
Board members and staff discussed alternatives that could meet the applicant's need without extending a fence to the curb. Options suggested included installing a man door on the garage to provide access to the side strip, running the fence only to the front corner of the house (rather than to the curb), or adjusting the layout so the fence aligns with existing neighboring front-yard lines. A committee member explained that exceptions have been made in the past only in cases tied to lot configuration (for example, homes sited so that what appears to be a front yard functions as backyard), rather than for economic hardship or personal health reasons.
The board advised Tellez to obtain a stamped property survey to confirm the property line and to submit any revised fence plan to the building department for a formal review. Staff said a survey is required to determine how much space exists and whether the proposed line would remain on the applicant's property; the building department will then advise what portions, if any, would meet code or qualify for a variance.
Tellez acknowledged financial constraints but said she would pursue the survey and follow up with staff. The board did not vote to approve a front-yard extension at the meeting; it provided procedural guidance and asked the applicant to return with the survey and a revised plan if she wishes to proceed.
The next procedural step is for Tellez to obtain and submit a property survey and to consult with the building department on a revised plan. The meeting then moved on to other business and ultimately adjourned.
