39-95 FAILED ON FIRST READING - 7/11/95
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 4.6.5,
"WALLS, FENCES, AND HEDGES", OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, TO
REDUCE THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF WALLS, FENCES AND HEDGES
WITHIN FRONT YARD SETBACKS AND AT INTERSECTIONS TO
ELIMINATE SIGHT OBSTRUCTIONS; PROVIDING AN
AMORTIZATION CLAUSE; PROVIDING A GENERAL REPEALER
CLAUSE, A SAVING CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, pursuant to LDR Section 1.1.6, the Planning and
Zoning Board reviewed the subject matter at its meeting of June 19,
1995, and has forwarded the change with a recommendation of approval
by a vote of 5 to 2; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Florida Statute 163.3174(4)(c), the
Planning and Zoning Board, sitting as the Local Planning Agency, has
determined that the change is consistent with and furthers the
objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
~_~ That Chapter Four, "Zoning Regulations", Article
4.6, "Supplemental District Regulations", Section 4.6.5, "Walls,
Fences, and Hedges", of the Land Development Regulations of the City
of Delray Beach, Florida, be, and the same is hereby amended to read
as follows:
Section 4.6.5 Walls, Fences, and Hedges
(A) Relationship to travelways: N~/%4Halls, fences, hedges,
or similar structures shall not be erected in the public right-of-way
nor close to the public right-of-way in a manner which the City
Engineer determines will obstruct visibility or otherwise interfere
with the proper flow of vehicular traffic, pedestrian safety, or the
provision of services. On a corner lot. fences or walls shall not be
erected or maintained at a height exceeding three feet (3') within
twenty-five feet (25') of the intersection measured from a Point where
the extension of ultimate right-of-way lines ~ee~,
(B) Dangerous features: No walls, fences or hedges shall
contain any substance such as, but not limited to, barbs, broken
glass, nails or spikes, nor shall a fence be electrically charged.
However, two feet of barbed wire may be placed upon a six foot or
higher fence in nonresidential zone districts.
FAILED ON FIRST READING - 7/11/95
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(C) Height Restrictions: Any wall, fence or hedge located
in a ~¢~¢~ front yard shall not exceed six feet (6') in height. In
the requir~ front ~etback. the maximum height shall be three feet
(3'), If it can be clearly demonstrated that a site obstruction is
Dot created, the height limit within the front setback may be
incrgased to a maximum height of four feet (4'). Any wall, fence or
hedge located in aa ~¢~¢~ interior side or rear yard shall not
exceed eight feet (8') in height. Such height is further regulated by
subsection (A), above.
(D) Amortization Clause: Fences. walls and hedges in
existence as of July 25. 1995. shall comply with the above height
restriction by July 25. 2000.
Section 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in
conflict herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed.
~ect~Qn 3. That should any section or provision of this
ordinance or any portion thereof, any paragraph, sentence, or word be
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a
whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.
~_~ That this ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon passage on second and final reading.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final
reading on this the day of , 1995.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
First Reading
Second Reading
- 2 - Ord. No. 39-95
FAILED ON FIRST READING - 7/11/95
MEMORANDUM
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM ~ ~ - MEETING OF JULY 110 1995
FIRST READING FOR ORDINANCE NO. 39-95 (WALLS. FENCES AND
DATE: JULY 7, 1995
This is first reading for Ordinance No. 39-95 which amends Section
4.6.5 of the Land Development Regulations concerning walls, fences
and hedges. The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the maximum
height of fences in front yards from 6 feet to 3 feet to eliminate
sight obstructions. It also includes a maximum height restriction
of 3 feet within the sight triangle area at intersections (within
25 feet of the intersection of the two streets). Commission
directed staff to pursue this amendment on April 4, 1995.
The Planning and Zoning Board considered this matter at public
hearing on June 19, 1995, and recommended adding an amortization
clause of five years for the removal of existing sight
obstructions. The Board voted 5 to 2 (Frank Wheat and Louis
Carbone dissenting) to recommend approval of the amendment as
modified. The dissenting members did not oppose the amendment, but
were opposed to the amortization clause. The Development Services
Management Group discussed the amortization clause on June 22nd, at
which time concerns over the impact of enforcement were expressed
by staff.
Recommend approval of Ordinance No. 39-95 on first reading without
the amortization clause. If passed, a public hearing will be held
on August 1, 1995.
ref:agmemol5
CITY COMMISSION DOCUMENTATION
TO: DAVID T. HARDEN, CITY MANAGER
FROM: PAUL DO
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
SUBJECT: MEETING OF JULY 11, 1995 ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION
4.6.5 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS - (WALLS,
FENCES AND HEDGES)
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE COMMISSION:
The action requested of the City Commission is approval on first reading of a
LDR text amendment to Section 4.6.5 for Walls, Fences, and Hedges.
BACKGROUND:
Current regulations allow a maximum height of eight feet (8') for fences and waits
within the side interior and rear yards. A maximum of six feet (6') is allowed in the
required front yard. In many cases, fences with a height of 6' in front yards creates
sight obstructions. To avoid this situation in the future as well as similar potential
problems at intersections the attached amendments are proposed. At its meeting of
April 4, 1995 the City Commission directed staff to pursue modifying the LDR's to
reduce the maximum height of fences in the front yard.
The proposed amendments provide for a reduction in fence height from six feet (6') to
three feet (3') within the front setback area. This fence height can be increased to a
maximum of four feet (4') if it can be demonstrated that the increase in height would
not create a sight obstruction. The amendment proposal also includes a maximum
height restriction of three feet (3') within the sight triangle area at intersections (within
25' of the intersection of the two streets).
City Commission Documentation
Consideration on First Reading of an Ordinance Amending
LDR Section 4.6.5 (Walls, Fences & Hedges)
Page 2
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD CONSIDERATION:
The Planning and Zoning Board considered this item at its meeting of June 19, 1995.
One person spoke during the Public Hearing (Alice Finst) with respect to requiring
plantings in front of fences installed at single family homes. The Board recommended
adding an amortization clause of five (5) years for the removal of existing sight
obstructions. The Board voted 5 to 2 (Frank Wheat and Louis Carbone dissenting) to
recommend approval of the amendment as modified. The two dissenting members did
not oppose the amendment but were opposed to the amortization clause. This
amortization clause was discussed by the Development Services Management Group
on June 22, 1995 at which time concerns over the impact of enforcement were
expressed by staff. The clause has been included in the attached language.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
By motion, approve the amendment to Section 4.6.5 of the Land Development
Regulations without Section 4.6.5(D) (Amortization Clause).
Attachment:
* Proposed LDR Amendment
S:WALLS.DOC
Section 4.6.5 Walls, Fences, and HedQes:
(A) Relationship to travelways: No Walls, fences, hedges, or similar
structures shall not be erected in the public right-of-way, nor close to the public right-
of-way in a manner which the City Engineer determines will obstruct visibility or
otherwise interfere with the proper flow of vehicular traffic, pedestrian safety, or the
provision of services. On a corner lot, fences or walls shall not be erected or
maintained at a hei,qht exceedinR three feet (3') within 25' of the intersection
measured from a point where the extension of ultimate ri.qht of way lines meet.
(B) DanQerous features: No walls, fences, or hedges shall contain any
substance such as, but not limited to, barbs, broken glass, nail, or spikes nor shall an
fence be electrically charged. However, two feet of barbed wire may be placed upon a
six foot or higher fence in nonresidential zone districts.
(C) Hei.qht Restrictions: Any wall, fence, or hedge located in a reflaired
front yard shall not exceed six feet (6') in height. In the required front setback the
maximum hei.qht shall be three feet (3'). If it can be clearly demonstrated to the
satisfaction of the Chief Buildin.q official or his designee that a site obstruction is not
created1 the height limit within the front setback may be increased to a maximum hei,qht
of four feet (4'). Any wall, fence, or hedge located in an ~ interior side or rear
yard shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height. Such height is further regulated by
subsection (A), above.
(D) Amortization Clause: Fences, walls and hed,qes in existence as of
July 25, 1995 shall comply with the above hei,qht restriction by July 25, 2000.