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3. A variance request for a nine foot high fence in the front <br /> yard (maximum allowed is three feet) was denied for a <br /> property on Hamline Avenue. The commission recommended that <br /> the property owner continue to buffer his property from <br /> commercial property across the street with a landscape <br /> screen. <br /> Comments from neighbors <br /> The property owner at 1433 West Idaho, Mr. Brace, said he had no objections to <br /> the proposal as long as the fence is constructed on or adjacent to the King's <br /> property line. He said that when he was constructing his garage, <br /> he found the <br /> survey stake on the west side of his property, then measured 50 feet to the <br /> east to determine the location of his east side property line. This <br /> measurement revealed that the existing King fence is about 2 to 4 inches over <br /> the property line between the Kings and Braces. Mr. Brace said that he doesn't <br /> mind this now, but if a new fence is installed the property line should be <br /> determined. <br /> (The city requests that property owners determine the location of their <br /> property line by finding stakes or hiring a certified land survey. Any variance <br /> should include this as a condition.) <br /> Staff report <br /> The city's code allowing for a six foot high fence is adequate in most <br /> situations. The intent of restricting fences to this height is to avoid a <br /> tunnel effect between properties and to keep some consistent open space. <br /> Staff cannot determine if the eight foot high fence will more adequately screen <br /> the rear 15 feet of the Brace garage from the King property or not. The rear <br /> 15 feet is the additional length that makes this garage different from the <br /> previous one on the King property. It doesn't appear that the additional three <br /> feet in fence height will screen the height of the garage, which meets the <br /> zoning code. There is no expressed need to screen the east side of the King <br /> property with an eight foot fence. <br /> Possible alternatives: <br /> 1. Approve the variance for an eight foot fence as requested. <br /> 2. Approve the variance for an eight foot fence on the West side and rear <br /> west side of the King property to screen the neighbor's garage as <br /> described by the Kings. <br /> 3. To deny the variance because there is no benefit from the eight foot fence <br /> in screening the adjacent property and there are alternatives to a fence. <br /> ATTACHMENTS: <br /> A Letter from Mrs. and Mrs. King, 1427 West Idaho <br /> B Site plan of proposed fence <br /> C Diagram of variance granted for 1530 Iowa <br /> D Diagram of variance granted for 1700 St. Mary's <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Adopt Planning Commission's recommendation <br />