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Commission debates fence heights, transparency and windstorm rules in UDC revisions
Summary
Commissioners spent an extended period debating proposed UDC fence changes: whether front and corner fences should be limited to 3–4 feet or allowed up to 10 feet with 50% transparency, the effect of a 6'6" windstorm engineering threshold, and separate maximums for commercial/industrial security fences.
The commission devoted significant discussion to proposed Unified Development Code fence standards, focusing on maximum heights for front, corner, side and rear fences and transparency requirements. Staff noted the current UDC limits front yard fences in many residential districts and requires 50% transparency within front or corner setbacks; building/municipal code requires engineering for structures over 6 feet 6 inches.
Travis, the planning staff presenter, told the commission that “we require any structure over 6 foot 6, be engineered to withstand the wind speed,” explaining that engineering details are required for fences taller than that. Commissioners raised practical concerns about allowing only 3 feet in front yards for decorative gates and wrought‑iron fences and urged a balance between visibility and privacy. Bruce Henderson argued for a wider range and proposed a standard between 6 and 10 feet for front fences in limited circumstances, adding that taller front gates should meet a 50% transparency requirement.
The commission discussed separate rules for commercial and industrial zones, where security needs may justify taller fences with barbed wire. Commissioners suggested keeping a 50% transparency requirement for front setbacks but allowing higher maximums (up to 12–14 feet) in industrial or auto‑centric districts provided those fences are set back from the public right‑of‑way or handled through conditional use/special permits. Staff noted previous ordinance language that included a 3‑foot setback from the property line for front yard fences and said that could be reintroduced.
