City Council Meeting: January 20, 2026

The Jan 20, 2026 meeting began with the approval of previous minutes and the election of new leadership, followed by two major variance applications involving a fence height increase and a lot width reduction. Council members emphasized adherence to existing ordinances while seeking practical compromises based on terrain and property constraints.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The council voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the December 16, 2026 meeting.
• Election of Officers: The council unanimously elected William Perkins as Chair and Rick as Vice-Chair following a motion and second.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Perkins (Applicant): Expressed the position that a fence height increase is necessary to address a five-foot elevation drop and to maintain privacy between his property and his neighbor's driveway. He proposed a steel and wood screen wall with heights reaching up to 12 feet in certain sections to match the terrain, noting his neighbor has also requested a 10-to-12-foot fence. Perkins confirmed he notified the adjacent neighbor prior to the meeting.
• Josh Neely (Applicant's Representative): Stated the position that the proposed variance is essential to allow development on a 40-foot wide R3 zoned lot, as the property cannot be replatted due to existing encroachments from a neighboring duplex. Neely argued that without the variance, the lot would remain vacant, whereas granting it would bring a single-family residence back to the neighborhood.

Discussion Items

• Fence Height Variance (Perkins):
  • Council members questioned the proposed 12-foot and 10-foot heights, noting they are double the standard 6-foot ordinance limit.
  • A council member expressed concern that a 12-foot fence would be an obstruction and requested alternative solutions.
  • The council discussed the feasibility of "stepping" the fence down in two-foot increments or sloping it to maintain a maximum 8-foot height at the lowest point rather than letting it follow the grade to 12 feet.
  • The council clarified that any height increase is to accommodate terrain, not for visual clearance over a deck.
  • Council members sought clarification on existing fencing heights to ensure the new design starts at the existing 6-foot level and slopes up/down as needed.
• Lot Width Variance (Neely on behalf of client):
  • The council reviewed the proposal to reduce the minimum lot width from 50 feet to 40 feet for a single-family residence.
  • Discussion highlighted that the property area (6,398 sq ft) exceeds the 6,000 sq ft minimum and meets all setback requirements, with the only deficiency being the lot width.
  • The council noted the complexity of replatting due to an unplatted 20-foot alley and the existing structures of neighboring properties.
  • Members indicated a positive disposition toward the project as an improvement to the area, noting that 40-foot lots exist elsewhere in the city's older districts.

Key Outcomes

• Fence Variance Approved: A motion was passed to grant a variance allowing a maximum fence height of 8 feet at the back corner. The fence is to follow the contour of the ground, stepping down or sloping as necessary to match the existing 6-foot fence at the front. The original 12-foot proposal was rejected in favor of the 8-foot maximum cap due to terrain.
• Lot Width Variance Approved: A motion was passed unanimously to grant a variance for the minimum lot width, allowing the applicant to build on the 40-foot wide lot in compliance with R3 zoning requirements despite the standard 50-foot minimum.
• Meeting Adjourned: The council concluded the meeting immediately following the approval of the second variance.