Commission approves 4‑foot ornamental fence variation at 9504 Old Bottom Road

The Planning and Community Design Commission unanimously approved a site‑plan variation on May 7 allowing a 4‑foot black aluminum ornamental fence to extend within the front‑yard setback at 9504 Old Bottom Road.

Staff described the request as a "variation" to the city code’s 3‑foot front-yard height restriction, permitted in limited cases through the site‑plan variation process. "This is a 4 foot tall, black, aluminum ornamental fence," a staff presenter said, showing the commission the proposed alignment and noting landscaping would be planted in front of the fence.

Petitioner representative John Trevillion said the homeowners want a taller ornamental fence to keep a dog contained and that the fence would be placed behind the front building line and softened by plantings. "A 3 foot fence is something that somebody could jump. The 4 foot fence is something that maybe they'd have to climb," Trevillion said.

Commission members asked whether the proposed fence ties into a previously approved retaining wall and whether neighboring properties already have taller privacy fences; staff confirmed an existing privacy fence runs along the adjacent side street and that a 6‑foot privacy fence could be installed by the adjacent property where permitted.

A motion to authorize the site‑plan variation as presented in the Department of Planning and Community Development memorandum dated May 7, 2026 (subject to staff conditions noted therein) passed unanimously, 7–0. Staff will document the approval and proceed with the standard follow‑up for site‑plan variations.

The action was recorded as a site‑plan variation approval; commissioners did not register dissent or abstentions at the recorded vote.