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Board approves 6-foot front-yard fence at 2529 Horsham Drive to secure yard for child
Summary
The Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a variance allowing a portion of a 6-foot fence in the front-yard setback at 2529 Horsham Drive after the applicant and community supporters said the fence is needed to create a safe yard for the applicant's child; staff cited unusual lot shape and topography.
The Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to grant a variance allowing a portion of a 6-foot fence in the front-yard setback at 2529 Horsham Drive.
Staff told the board the corner lot’s cove-shaped geometry and a bulbed cul-de-sac create a narrow triangular area that prevents a straight-line fence without encroaching on the required front-yard setback. Staff noted the property’s setback lines on the plan and concluded the lot’s shape and topography create a practical difficulty that supports a variance.
Applicant Steven Signago, sworn before the board, said the straight-line fence would run from the rear of the house into a retaining wall and would not leave a gap where it meets the wall. Signago told the board the family is pursuing the fence primarily to provide a secure yard for their child with Down syndrome and said the Make-A-Wish program and Dogwood Elementary helped raise funds to pay for the project. “I have a child with Down syndrome ... and he needs a safe place to to be,” Signago said.
Catherine Brown, a special-education preschool teacher at Dogwood Elementary who spoke in support, said the Dogwood community helped raise about $10,000 toward the effort and urged the board to approve the variance so the child could have a safe place to play.
Board members asked whether any letters of opposition had been received; staff said none were on file. In discussion, members cited the unusual lot shape, the retaining wall and the applicants’ mitigation efforts. A board member moved to approve the variance "to allow a portion of a 6 foot high fence located in the front yard setback facing Rooksworth Cove at 2529 Horsham Drive" and the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote with all voting in favor. The board recorded approval based on the property’s exceptional narrowness and topographic conditions.
The variance was granted at the meeting; staff noted the applicant must file for the required fence permit following approval.
