To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Julie Smith, Community Development Director
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider a recommendation for an amendment to the City of Keller Unified Development Code (UDC), adopted by Ordinance No. 1746 dated July 7, 2015, by amending Article 8 - Zoning Districts, Development Standards, Tree Preservation, related to fence requirements; authorizing publication; provide for penalties; and establishing an effective date. City of Keller, Applicant. (UDC-21-0008)Body
Background:
The current Unified Development Code (UDC) fence regulations were most recently amended in January 2021. After the proposed changes were implemented, contractors and residents brought forward several concerns including vinyl fencing, the six-foot-height restriction for corner lots, and the challenge of corner lot setbacks. The City Council held a work session September 7, 2021 and the Commission on September 28, 2021 to provide direction to staff in order for staff to draft potential amendments to address these concerns. The attached draft ordinance reflects those proposed amendments. (The sections that have been red-lined are Exhibit A. Staff also has attached a “clean” version that incorporates all the proposed changes as Exhibit B.)
Proposed Changes:
• Clarify the height and setback for fences on corner lots and in cul-de-sacs
o Solid privacy fences would have to be set back 25 feet from the street.
o (Open fences may be set back only 4 feet from the sidewalk.)
• Add white vinyl fencing to the list of fencing materials for the SF-36 zoning district for post and 2-, 3-, or 4-rail ranch fencing.
• Provide exception for four-foot setback from front property line if it is adjacent to a bar ditch.
• Add definition for “open style” fencing.
Citizen Input:
An amendment to the text of the UDC requires a public hearing notice to be published in the local newspaper ten (10) days prior to the scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting date and fifteen (15) days prior to the City Council meeting date. The notice for the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing was published in the October 1, 2021, edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Alternatives:
Planning and Zoning Commission has the following options when considering an amendment to the text of the UDC:
- Recommend approval as submitted
- Recommend approval with modifications or additional amendments(s)
- Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose
- Recommend denial
City Council Action:
If the Planning and Zoning Commission takes action and makes a recommendation on this agenda item, then this UDC Text Amendment application will be scheduled for City Council action on November 2, 2021.