HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-2023 FINAL Staff Report 434 FountainSTAFF REPORT
HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
CZC
APPLICATION INFORMATION
ADDRESS 434 Fountain Avenue
CASE NO. CZC2023-0008
OWNER Susan Ward
APPLICANT Susan Ward
REQUEST Certificate of Zoning Compliance for new fencing
GENERAL SITE INFORMATION
CURRENT ZONING NSZ
CURRENT LAND USE Residential
PUBLIC UTILITIES Power, gas, water
PUBLIC SERVICES Storm sewer, Paducah Fire, Paducah Police
SURROUNDING AREA INFORMATION
SURROUNDING ZONING SURROUNDING LAND USE
NORTH NSZ Residential
SOUTH NSZ Residential
EAST NSZ Residential
WEST NSZ Residential
Vicinity Map
STAFF REPORT (continued) page 2 of 7
From Fountain Avenue
Side from Harrison Street
STAFF REPORT (continued) page 3 of 7
From Harrison Street
STAFF REPORT (continued) page 4 of 7
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
434 Fountain Avenue is located in the Neighborhood Services Zone (NSZ) and
Fountain Avenue Neighborhood. The home sits on a corner lot along Fountain Avenue
and Harrison Street.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Applicant requests a Certificate of Zoning Compliance to place new fencing in
the side yard of the property along Harrison Street.
The fence will be 6’ high and will use dog ear style wooden boards. There will be a
4x4 post placed every 8’.
The fence will extend out from the center of the house in the side yard facing Harrison
Street and extend till it meets the driveway in the rear yard.
Examples of the wooden boards and a layout provided by the applicant follow.
STAFF REPORT (continued) page 5 of 7
STAFF REPORT (continued) page 6 of 7
STAFF ANALYSIS
The NSZ Design Standards allow for the use the following fence materials: wood,
wrought iron, tubular steel, cast aluminum, and brick with vinyl allowed only in side and rear
yards. The proposed use of wood is permitted.
The height requirements for fences in the NSZ are as follows:
Fence Height
The heights of the approved fences are subject to the Paducah Code of Ordinances
regulated heights (Section 126-83). On corner lots, the structure will be considered to have
two front yards, with the front yard ending at the rear corner of the structure. At the time
of adoption of this policy, those heights are as follows:
Front yard - 4 feet
Side yard - 6 feet
Rear yard - 8 feet
Due to its location on a corner lot the front yard height requirements translate to the
side yard along Harrison Street which would stipulate a height of 4’ for fencing along
this area. As proposed the 6’ fence does not start at the very rear corner of the house but
instead along its middle, at the corner of the wing containing the second window from
the front.
However, as seen in the attached photos a majority of the home would be not
concealed with the fence beginning in this location. Additionally, an air utility unit would
be concealed if the fence began in its proposed location at its proposed height.
Alternatives would have to include moving the fence to start at the very rear of the
corners of the home or having a fence of two different heights. Staff does not recommend
these alternatives as the intent of the proposal is to create a fenced in side yard which
would be limited by moving the starting point of the fence. Additionally, a fence in this
location of two different heights is in Staff’s opinion less cohesive than a fence of one
standard height.
Staff’s perspective is that a 6’ fence beginning in the proposed location would not
significantly hinder the view shed of the property and would recommend HARC offer a
variance of two feet to be allowed to construct the fence at its proposed height and
location.
Planning Staff recommends approval for this project.
STAFF REPORT (continued) page 7 of 7
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
Based on the above, staff recommends approval of the request and recommends the
following motion:
I move that this Commission Approve the Certificate of Zoning Compliance request of Susan
Ward to include a two-foot height variance to place a 6’ fence as proposed at 434 Fountain Avenue.
I further move that the approval be based on the following findings of fact
• The proposed fencing is in conformity and complies with the NSZ Design Standards
regarding use of material and design
• A two-foot height variance allowing for a 6’ fence would not disrupt the view shed of the
property