PUBLIC HEARING: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING FENCES IN FRONT YARDS Conduct a public hearing regarding proposed changes to Appendix C, "Zoning," Section 8. B "Fences and Walls” of the Friendswood City Code to clarify that fences in the front yard are limited to a maximum of four (4) feet, to prohibit certain materials, and to allow lots fronting Greenbriar Drive between Tall Pines and Briar

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

This item allows the Commission to receive public comment regarding the proposed ordinance amendment. Required notices advertising the public hearings were published and posted - newspaper notice and notice on city web site. Origination of this request Code Enforcement observed a contractor installing a fence in a front yard without a permit and advised them to stop work and apply for a permit. Upon review, it was determined that the lot did not meet the minimum requirements to allow a fence in the front yard. The subject lot is .5 acres and has about 109 feet of frontage and the adjacent lots do not have front yard fences. The contractor submitted an application for a rear yard fence only, which was approved. Current Regulation Currently, fences are allowed in front of the front building line in the following instances: On lots adjacent to FM 528, FM 2351, and FM 518 north of FM 2351 and south of FM 528 On lots greater than 2 acres Decorative, transparent fences are allowed on lots greater than 2 acres OR that have a minimum width of 150 feet at the street Exception: any size lot may construct a fence when all adjoining lots facing the same right-of-way or private street have existing compliant fences in the front yard Chain link and barbed wire fences are prohibited in front yards in residential districts. Ordinance Subcommittee The Planning and Zoning Commission Ordinance Subcommittee workshopped the item, and they were not in favor of changing the ordinance. If changes are made to the ordinance, their second recommendation is: Restrict the height to 4-feet Restrict the material to wrought iron and masonry columns (Missouri City); no wire of any kind (League City) Minimum 1 acre lot size None of these options would remedy the situation at 711 Greenbriar Dr. City Council Work Session This subject was discussed with City Council at their regular meeting on August 3rd. Council suggested adding Greenbriar Drive to the list of streets allowed to have fences. They requ