HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment ReportCARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
DEPARTMENT REPORT
OCTOBER 28, 2014
2. (V) Peck Fence, Woodland Springs, Sec. 8, Lot 325
The applicant seeks the following development standard variance for an existing fence:
Docket No. 14100001 V ZO CH: 25.02.01: 3.5 ft Max Fence Height in Front Yard, 6 ft requested for
corner lot
The site is located at 11605 Rolling Springs Drive and is zoned R- 1/Residential. Filed by Kathryn and Chris Peck,
owners.
General Info:
The petitioner is requesting a variance for a
newly constructed wooden fence on their
comer lot that is 6 feet tall and is located
along 116th Street. Per the Zoning
Ordinance, the side of their house along
116th Street is considered a front yard. The
maximum height for a fence in a front yard
is 3.5 feet. Surrounding the property are
single family residential homes. Please
refer to the petitioner's information
packet for more details.
Analysis: This property is a corner lot at
the intersection of Rolling Springs Drive
and 116th Street. The front of the home
faces Rolling Springs Drive and the side is
adjacent to 116th Street. The Carmel
Zoning Ordinance classifies their yard
along 116th Street as a front yard and only
allows a 3.5 feet tall fence in a front yard.
The petitioner received a copy of the fence
regulations before they installed their fence, but they did not realize that their yard along 116th was a front yard. They
have since had a wooden fence built that is 6 feet tall and they are now in violation of the zoning ordinance.
The petitioner is requesting this variance to allow the 6 foot tall fence to remain. The City limits fence heights along
public roads to avoid creating a tunnel effect which is not aesthetically pleasing from the street. Having tall, wooden
fences that line the street creates the feeling of walling off from the community. It can also start to look of poor quality if
multiple people have wooden fences in a variety of styles and a variety of ages /levels of upkeep.
The fence regulations that the petitioners received are not clear on what is considered a front yard. There is another
section of the Zoning Ordinance that defines any yard along a street as a front yard; however the petitioner did not know
to look there. The Department would recommend some compromise between the petitioner and the City. If the fence
were moved back to be 35 feet from the property line, then it could remain 6 feet tall as it would no longer be considered
in the front yard. Adding some landscaping, such as some trees along the south side of the fence, might also help to
soften the effect of the fence.
Petitioner's Findings of Fact:
Please refer to the petitioner's information packet for their Findings of Fact.
Recommendation:
After all comments and concerns have been addressed, the Dept. of Community Services recommends favorable
consideration of Docket No. 14100001 V if they can move the fence further north away from the street or plant some
landscaping to help as a buffer.
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