Board of Appeals grants variance to allow 6-foot fence at 4067 North Lake Drive

Wendy Smith, chair of the Shorewood Board of Appeals, moved to grant a variance from village code 225-8(b)(5) to allow a six-foot fence along the north property line at 4067 North Lake Drive, and the board approved the motion 3-0. Smith said the request "meets our criteria for granting a variance, including, the unique and exceptional nature of the homeowner's property and an absence of any detriment to any neighboring property."

Inspector Burris told the board the owners applied for a building permit on 06/08/2026 after a June 2 enforcement letter and a denial issued on June 9; Burris summarized the packet that included the enforcement notice, permit application, denial, survey and photos. Homeowner Salvatore Taurasi testified the prior 6-foot fence was destroyed in a spring storm and that replacing it was intended to restore privacy and safety: "lowering that fence to 4 feet would allow someone standing in the neighbor's driveway to look right into our kitchen through the backdoor." The board concluded the house’s side "bump-out" and the lack of neighbor objections justified the variance. The clerk recorded the vote: Steven Isaacson, Wendy Smith and Kevin Matthews voted aye. The board said the homeowners will receive instructions from the village on next steps.