Summary
The Glenn Arbor Planning Commission's March 1, 2025 public hearing (Item 2) considered proposed revisions to Zoning Ordinance Version 5.1 concerning fences. The proposal updates the definition of "fence" and revises Section VI.4 and Section VII.2 governing fence, wall, and screen regulations, including height limits, setbacks, and approval requirements across different zoning districts. No votes or public comments are recorded in this document.
Other Business
The proposed ordinance amends the definition of "Fence" under Section XVII.6 to describe it as a barrier of vertical posts and horizontal sections made of materials such as wood, metal, vinyl, stone, concrete, or wire, used to enclose, confine, or mark a boundary.
Section VI.4 would prohibit fences, walls, or screens on corner lots except as permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
Section VII.2 establishes detailed fencing requirements by district (Residential I through VI, Multiple Family, Resort Recreational, Business, Agricultural), including:
- Corner lots: fencing not allowed within the Intersection Sight Distance Triangle as defined by MDOT Sight Distance Guidelines; maximum height of 6 feet.
- Wireless Communication Tower fencing: minimum/maximum height of 8 feet.
- Equipment and Material Storage yards: not allowed in some districts; minimum 6 feet/maximum 8 feet in others.
- Side yard setback: 0 feet; Rear yard setback: 0 feet; Waterfront setback: 40 feet.
- Front yard maximum height and waterfront setback of 3 feet in certain districts.
- Finished side of fence required to face outward.
- Barbed wire or concertina wire prohibited without ZBA approval, except for use on working farms, which do not require ZBA approval.
- Minimum clearance of 5 feet from parallel structures.
- A Land Use Permit is required before fence installation.
Action Items
- ZBA approval required for any fence, wall, or screen proposed on a corner lot.
- ZBA approval required for use of barbed wire or concertina wire, except on working farms.
- Applicants must obtain a Land Use Permit before installing any fence under the proposed ordinance.