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Commission asks planning board to revisit rules for pergolas and accessory structures
Summary
After resident concerns about hedges, views and water availability, the commission directed Planning & Zoning to develop options that could relax setback and size restrictions for pergolas/gazebos while protecting neighbors’ privacy and waterfront views.
Ocean Ridge commissioners directed the Planning & Zoning advisory board to reexamine the town’s accessory‑structure rules after a robust discussion about pergolas, gazebos, hedges and view preservation. Planning staff had recommended no changes; several commissioners and residents urged P&Z to return with tailored options that differentiate waterfront and landlocked lots and address materials, size, and privacy protections.
Mayor Pugh said the direction was clear: "We go back, look at it, and say, hey, maybe there is a way we could make this happen without it being too egregious," and asked that Planning & Zoning present alternatives for consideration. Commissioners discussed allowing certain open‑air pergolas within reduced setbacks for landlocked properties, offering a path for variances, and drafting height/material limits that mitigate view impacts.
