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Board narrows fence/berm rule: berm must equal fence height or columns required; tree mitigation accepted
Summary
After debate over decorative columns and berm height, the board required a revised plan that shows the berm equal the fence height (minimum 5 ft) so decorative columns (previously required every 60 ft) will not be necessary if the berm conceals the fence; the board also accepted the applicant's mitigation proposal for most tree removals with conditions for one black locust tree.
Board members, staff and the developer spent substantial time debating whether to require decorative stone columns spaced every 60 feet if a 6‑foot fence would be visible above a 5‑foot berm, or instead to require the applicant to raise/reshape the berm so the fence would not be visible.
Developer Tom Ricks argued the stone columns are expensive and would be invisible if the fence is placed on the property line and the berm is elevated. "The stone columns cost about 6,000 to $7,500 a piece... If you put it down on the property line, you'll never see it," Ricks said. Staff explained city code requires columns in situations where a fence is visible above a berm; the board resolved to require a revised plan showing the berm equal the fence height (minimum 5 ft) and removed the column requirement in that circumstance. The board also accepted the proposed mitigation approach for the majority of tree removals (11 trees removed; six trees to be mitigated with 28 new trees sited in common areas), and flagged one black locust that would require additional mitigation if removed.
