Planning board approves temporary construction fence, conditions dirt-work permit renewal

Hillsboro Planning and Zoning voted to approve a renewed building permit that lets an applicant install a temporary four-foot chain-link fence and perform limited dirt work to prepare a future shop pad. Staff said the 2024 permit reference will be relabeled in city files and the approval is conditional on a revised sketch showing property pins, fence placement and elevation details.

"I make a motion pending update of the permit," the staff member said, calling for resubmission of drawings and drainage review; the motion was seconded and the chair announced that the motion carried. The commission required the applicant to show where drainage will flow and to note USGS elevation pins so reviewers can confirm proper grading and culvert placement.

The applicants told the board they want the fence in place quickly "to keep everyone out because we do have a dirt pile there, and then that wood pile, I'm scared kids are gonna start coming there and climbing on the dirt pile," the owner said, describing the safety rationale for a temporary barrier. Staff clarified that fences may go to the property line only with written approval from adjacent owners; otherwise the fence must be set back and may require reapproval if left longer than the one-year temporary window.

The approval process requires an updated sketch and a drainage review by the city's reviewer (referred to in the meeting as a '2 s' review). If the applicant wants a longer-term fence or additional structural work, the commission advised returning with amended plans and any neighbor approvals needed to place fencing on the property line.