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ZBA recommends variance for 824 S. Mallard fence, citing safety and existing precedents
Summary
The Palatine Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to recommend a special‑use variance allowing a 5‑foot solid vinyl fence at a 20‑foot setback at 824 South Mallard, citing petitioner testimony about child and pet safety and staff findings of similar corner‑lot fences in the area.
The Palatine Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend approval of a special‑use variance for a fence at 824 South Mallard, finding the proposal met local standards.
Eric Haney, the property owner, told the board the principal goal is "to create a safe space for our current almost 2‑year‑old son as well as [our] Goldendoodle," and described the lot as a nonstandard corner lot with the house set back only 20 feet. Haney said the petitioners reduced the fence height from 6 feet to 5 feet after neighbors raised concerns.
Staff told the board the property is zoned R‑1B and identified multiple nearby corner‑lot fences with setbacks of roughly 20–25 feet. Planner testimony said community services and engineering did not find line‑of‑sight issues and recommended approval with conditions including conformance to the submitted site plan and maintenance of the north‑side landscaping.
During deliberations, board members weighed neighbors' aesthetics concerns against the public‑safety rationale and local precedents. One member said, "there doesn't seem to be any line of sight issues," while another noted the proposed alignment would be consistent with the home and existing landscaping.
The board approved the motion "subject to staff's conditions" and recorded a unanimous 6–0 roll call. The ZBA's recommendation will be forwarded to the village council for final action.
