HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - Fences MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
SCOTT WILLIAMS, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: APRIL 17, 2018
SUBJECT: AM18-02 —ARTICLE IV, GRAPEVINE CODE OF ORDINANCES,
FENCES
RECOMMENDATION:
Council to discuss possible amendments to Article IV of the Grapevine Code of
Ordinances, Fences, and take any necessary action.
BACKGROUND:
The Grapevine fence ordinance currently limits the height of fences in a required or
established front yard to a maximum 36 inches in height, and requires them to be at least
50 percent open. At the March 19, 2018 meeting, the Building Board of Appeals discussed
recommending to Council possible amendments to the ordinance. The Board felt that it
would be reasonable to recommend 48" fences in R-20 zoning districts only. The fences
would still be required to be at least 50% open, and the Board recommends that chain link
fences not be allowed in front yards, and gates across driveways must be set back at least
20' from property line at the street.
Below are what some other Metroplex cities allow:
Southlake - maximum 8' tall - however, per Southlake staff, deed restrictions typically
require much lower height.
Colleyville - maximum 30" tall, and minimum 75% open. Some lots over 40,000 square feet
may have a maximum 8' fence, 75% open.
Flower Mound - maximum 48", except agricultural districts may have livestock wire fencing
not to exceed 5'.
Plano - maximum 40" tall, minimum 50% open.
Keller - 36". In SF-LD (Keller's largest lot-area residential district), open fences can be 5'
tall.
Euless - maximum 36" tall. Lots more than one (1) acre may exceed 36", must be at least
75% open, and setback 10' from property line.
Coppell - No fences permitted in front yard.
A draft ordinance showing the proposed amendments is attached. If Council wishes to
proceed with these changes, the amendment will be brought to the May meeting.
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DRAFT
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, AMENDING THE GRAPEVINE CODE OF
ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION,
ARTICLE IV FENCES; AMENDING SECTION 7-127;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A
PENALTY, NOT TO EXCEED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS
($2,000.00) FOR EACH SEPARATE OFFENSE AND A
SEPARATE OFFENSE SHALL BE DEEMED COMMITTED
UPON EACH DAY DURING OR ON WHICH A VIOLATION
OCCURS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine, has previously adopted ordinances regulating
the installation of fences; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine, has determined that it is a necessity to
regulate the activities and entities as provided for herein to safeguard the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine is authorized by law to adopt the provisions
contained herein, and has complied with all prerequisites necessary for the passage of
this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grapevine, has determined that an
amendment of Chapter 7, Building and Construction, Article IV, Fences, Section 7-127,
of the Code of Ordinances is in the best interest of the City, and its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1 . That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct
and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That the Code of Ordinances Chapter 7, Buildings and
Construction, Article VI, Fences, Section 7-127, is hereby amended as follows:
Section 7-127. Front yard requirements.
"(a) Corner lots: it shall be unlawful to ereGt a fenGe on the required front yard building
setbaGk area or the established front yard area, whiGhever area is greater On depth, en
any GGrner let, eXGept aleng the interier let line on aGGGrdanGe with subseGtien (b).
(b) Interior Into•
M ) It shall be unlawful to erect a fence, hedge or vines over 36 inches in height in
the required front yard area or the established front yard area, whichever area is greater
in depth, on any interie lot. Fences in a required or established front yard on
properties zoned R-20 Single Family District may be a maximum of 48 inches in
height.
q) b) It shall be unlawful to erect a fence, hedge or vines in the required front yard
area or the established front yard area, whichever area is greater in depth, on any
+nter+er lot that does not have at least 50 percent through vision.
{3) ) It shall be unlawful to maintain a fence, hedge or vines in the required front yard
area or an established front yard area, whichever area is greater in depth, of an ;n+
lot in a manner that does not permit at least 50 percent through vision.
{4}d) For the purpose of this section, "established front yard area" shall mean an open,
unoccupied space on a lot facing a street and extending across the front of a lot
between the side yard lines and extending from the abutting street to a principal building
or structure. The phrase "required front yard" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
the Grapevine Zoning Ordinance No. 82-73.
(e) Fences within a required or established front yard area shall not be
constructed of "chain-link" material.
(f) Gates erected across driveways adjacent to streets shall be set back a
minimum of 20 feet from the property line adjacent to the street."
{Remainder of section unchanged}
Section 3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not
to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense and a separate offense
shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or
continues.
Section 4. All ordinances or any parts thereof in conflict with the terms of this
ordinance shall be and hereby are deemed repealed and of no force or effect.
Section 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phase of this
ordinance shall for any reason be held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 6. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of
Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals,
peace and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Grapevine, Texas, creates an
emergency for the immediate preservation of the public business, property, health,
safety and general welfare of the public which requires that this ordinance shall become
effective from and after the date of its passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
ORD. NO. 2018-XX 2 0Ordinances\20180rdinanceDraf Fencing
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, on this the day of , 2018.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ORD. NO. 2018-XX 3 0Ordinances\20180rdinanceDraf Fencing