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Mounds View Planning Commission September 2, 2015 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Chair Stevenson was of the opinion that the City could not deny the request based on the applicant’s past. He was in favor of tabling action until the homeowner could be present to provide the Commission with additional information on the property. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Love/Commissioner Klander. To table action on this item to the October 7, 2015 Planning Commission meeting. Ayes – 6 Nays – 1 (Elofson) Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 7. Other Planning Activity A. Discuss a Code Amendment to Allow Fences Taller than 4-Feet in Front Yards of Corner Lots Planning Associate Heller informed the Commission that the Planning Commission has received, and approved, several variances over the last few years allowing a 6-foot or 8-foot fence in the second front yard of corner lots. Commissioners have mentioned that maybe the zoning code should be amended to allow for these taller fences since they are always approved. Another variance request for a 6-foot fence was approved at the last Planning Commission meeting on August 19, 2015, and at that time, again it was mentioned that there should be discussion to amend the code. The Commissioners in attendance all agreed, and asked staff to add this code amendment discussion to the next meeting agenda. Associate Heller explained the Zoning Code allows fences up to 4-feet tall in any part of a property. Fences that are taller than 4-feet are only allowed behind the front line of the house (the Zoning Code allows fences up to 8-feet tall). Properties that are on corners have two front yards and therefore are much more limited in where they can put a taller fence. Property owners want the taller fences for privacy and safety, and the Planning Commission has been very understanding of this and approved every fence height variance request. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review and discuss the information, and provide staff with direction about the proposed amendment. Chair Stevenson believed it was time that the City amended it code. He supported the City allowing up to a six foot fence for a second front yard with requests for taller than six feet still requiring a variance review by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Schiltgen questioned how many requests the City has had for an eight foot fence on corner lots. Associate Heller recalled only three requests in the past ten years.