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Planning Board backs code change to permit six‑foot solid side‑yard fences on corner lots with planted buffer
Summary
The board voted unanimously to forward an amendment to section 20‑3.6 that allows six‑foot opaque fences on corner side yards if the fence is set two feet in from the property line and a four‑foot‑high landscape buffer is planted at installation; the front‑yard fence rules remain unchanged.
The Planning Board unanimously recommended forwarding to the City Commission a proposed amendment to the Land Development Code that would allow six‑foot solid fences on corner side yards provided they are set two feet back from the property line and a landscape buffer (minimum four feet tall at planting) is installed to soften the streetscape.
Staff explained the change is intended to balance corner‑lot homeowner privacy with streetscape appearance and pedestrian safety. The ordinance would preserve existing front‑yard transparency rules while allowing additional privacy for rear/side yards on corner lots. Board members discussed technical footing details to enable planting against the fence (footings to be flush with the exterior face) and added a friendly clarification in motion that where a side yard abuts another dwelling's front yard the fence should be six feet tall throughout that portion to avoid awkward four‑foot transitions.
The motion to approve sending the ordinance to the City Commission carried unanimously on voice vote.
