HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 11 13 Public Hearing 500 City Code Section 6-190. Fence Height Limitations
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 500
Consent
Information
Public Hearin2 X
Re2ular
November 13.2007
Special Meeting
Mgr. iY /Dept.~
REQUEST: Community Development Department requests that the Commission consider and
provide direction regarding the existing fence height limitations set forth within Section 6-190 of
the City Code
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the Commission consider and
provide direction concerning allowing 6' high fences and walls in the front yards of houses where
horses are allowed by the City Code.
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS:
Chapter 6, Article VIII. Fences, Walls, and Hedges
CONSIDERATIONS: Chapter 6 ofthe City Code regulates fences, walls, and hedges. It sets
forth appropriate materials (Sec. 6-187); allows for barbed wire and fabric fences where horses
are allowed (Sec. 6-188); allows for barbed wire above 6' in height where security fences are
permitted - with building official approval (Sec. 6-189); limits fence and wall heights to 8'
along side and rear lot lines, except that it limits the heights to 4' tall forward of the
building line (Sec. 6-190); provides for line of sight at intersections (Sec. 6-191); and requires at
least a 3" setback from the property line (Sec. 6-193). The "building line" is a line parallel to the
front-most portion ofthe wall of the principal structure on a lot. The "building line" may be
behind the front building setback line, as houses in most parts of the City are not required to
build all the way up to the setback line. The 4 foot maximum fence height in front of the
building line rule is fairly typical and is by no means unique to Winter Springs.
Staff has received a request to increase the front yard fence height in areas where horses are
allowed (e.g. RC-I & RU zoning districts). Staff notes that horses, donkeys, and cattle are
typically kept within 3 to 5 strand barbed wire fences of approximately 4' height. Taller fences
placed in front of the building line are more likely to create conflict with the City's aesthetic
character and requirements. Staff has done research and determined that a 4' wire mesh fence
with one strand of barbed wire, at an overall height of 4' 6", is an acceptable alternative. A
November 13, 2007
Regular Agenda Item 500
Page 2
simple barbed wire fence with 3 to 5 strands of wire at a height of 4' 6" would also be
acceptable. A 6' tall fence is unnecessary, except for "jumpers." These are horses with a
propensity for jumping fences, which should not be kept in the front yard, where they could
easily get out and into traffic or otherwise endanger the public or themselves.
RECOMMENDA TION: Staff recommends that the City Commission review the request and
provide direction to maintain the existing front yard fence or wall height. Staff believes that
horse fence at an overall height of 4' 6", would be acceptable in front yards where horses are
allowed by code and indeed are kept. Otherwise, increasing the allowable height of fences or
walls in front of residences will be detrimental to the City's overall aesthetic quality and
represent a degradation of the City's aesthetic standards.
COMMISSION ACTION:
2
City Commission Special Meeting
Tuesday November 13,2007
Item # 500
Fence Heights Limitation
This letter represents supplemental information for the above referenced public hearing
on the height of horse fences.
.
November 1 st,2007.
Lesli Isaacson
801 Rogers Court
Casselberry,FI. 32707-3404
Dear Randy Stevenson
Community Development Director,
This letter is in reference to a required and appropriate fence height when keeping and maintaining
horses in a paddock or pasture area, whether at a boarding facility or a privately owned residential
home.
As a respected Hunter-Jumper Trainer in the Orlando area, the UCF Hunt Seat Coach, with 15
years as a professional, and 25 years in the horse industry, I feel that the appropriate fence height
for keeping horses, in a pasture type area, is between 4ft. to 4.5ft. This is what our fencing height
is at our farm, in Orange County, that stables between 30 to 35 horses, where the horses range in
all sizes to small ponies up to very large horses. It is a 3 boarded fence, that is around 4 ft. high.
In all of my travels to horseshows through out the country, to many boarding facilities, public and
private, I have never seen a perimeter fence for a paddock or pasture area, higher than 4. Sft.
Please feel free to contact me at 407-463-2113 or lapcisaacson@embarqmai1.com
Sincerely,
Lesli Isaacson