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Planning commission approves 54‑inch horse fence application contingent on ordinance change
Summary
The Piperton Planning Commission voted Feb. 10 to approve a request for a 54‑inch front fence to contain horses on a 5‑acre R‑C property at 540 Keough Drive, contingent on a city ordinance amendment; the change will proceed to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for readings.
The Piperton Planning Commission voted Feb. 10 to approve a property owner’s request to install a 54‑inch wood front fence to contain horses, but commissioners made the approval contingent on changing the city fence ordinance first.
City Planner Brett Morgan told commissioners the Hutton property at 540 Keough Drive is roughly five acres in an R‑C (Rural Conservation) zone and that the city code currently limits front fences beyond the principal structure to 48 inches. "We can’t break our regulations, but it may be possible that we look at amending the fence height in cases such as this up to 54 inches," Morgan said, urging that a formal ordinance change would be required before construction.
The request came from Henry and Lisa Hutton; their representative, Jerome Salvaggio, told the commission the change is for safety. "The reason we are here is for the safety of the horses. Industry standard for that is 54 inches and 60 inches is preferred but we asked for 6 inches rather than 12 inches," Salvaggio said. Mayor Henry Coats said he had researched horse safety standards and found a 54‑inch minimum; Commissioner Mimi Ragon said she found sources recommending 54 to 60 inches.
Fire Chief Reed Bullock noted emergency access requirements for gated properties and said access could be addressed with a Knox key box or radio control. "With Knox or radio control, we can work that out," Bullock said. Planner Morgan and the applicants indicated they would coordinate with emergency services.
The commission voted to approve the fence application "contingent on the ordinance being changed," with Vice‑Mayor Mike Binkley moving the motion and Commissioner Mimi Ragon seconding. The motion "received all affirmative votes." The approval does not allow fence installation until the Board of Mayor and Aldermen considers and adopts the ordinance amendment; Morgan told the applicants the Board will review the change at first reading in March and second reading in April.
What happens next: the commission’s approval is conditional on a formal change to the municipal code and does not itself alter the fence height limit. The applicants and staff will be notified of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting dates so they may attend.
