Director Istenes explained that this is a request to allow the replacement of an existing 6-foot high wood (painted black) privacy fence along the eastern and northern property lines with a new 8-foot high cedar fence; the top 2-feet of which is proposed to be wood lattice. The existing fence along the northern property line (fronting Pershing Avenue) is set back 7 feet from the public sidewalk

2 and is approximately 15 feet long. It is located between the eastern property line and the eastern edge of the driveway. To allow more yard area, the owners are proposing to install the new fence 4 feet closer to the sidewalk, leaving a 3-foot wide planting bed between the fence and the public sidewalk. The existing landscaping in front of the fence will be removed and new shrubs, possibly narrow leaf buckthorns (slow growing, deciduous, 10-12 feet tall at maturity and 6-10 feet wide at maturity) and/or dwarf slender deutzia (deciduous, 2-4 feet tall at maturity), will be planted in front of the fence to soften its appearance. The owners plan to paint the new fence black once it has properly cured. Section 405.1900 of the Zoning Regulations requires that all fences located in the front yard in single-family zoning districts be approved by the Architectural Review Board prior to installation. Historically, the Architectural Review Board has considered requests for front yard fences that are not in conformance with the zoning requirements. For example, on corner lots, 6- foot fences have been approved on “secondary” front yards (what functionally would be a property’s side yard) provided the fence is ornamental or decorative (not a solid wood, chain or vinyl fence) and is placed on the property in a manner which provides a sufficient area for landscaping to break up the monotonous appearance of the fence. Director Istenes noted that the proposed design and materials of the fence are not consistent with the Architectural Review Board’s preference for ornamental or decorative fencing in front yards. Additionally, the new fence will be located 4 foot closer to the sidewalk and is proposed to be constructed to a height of 8 feet, thus making it a very prominent feature along a residential street. With respect to landscaping, the existing shrubs, commonly known as “Firebush,”are located in front of the existing fence. They are mature and have provided a seasonally opaque screen of the wood fence from the sidewalk and street; however, the Firebush, and an existing tree at the northeast corner of the existing fence, will be removed and replaced with plantings that will make the fence immediately visible from the street. Director Istenes stated that staff is of the opinion that the portion of the fence that fronts Pershing Avenue and the fence return to the house should be constructed with materials which are more decorative in nature (metal/iron) and should be limited in height to 6 feet and therefore, recommends approval subject to the following conditions:

limited in height to 6 feet and shall be constructed of a decorative iron or metal to be approved by staff prior to the issuance of a fence permit.