HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/11/2025 Item 4a, Mills
melanie mills <millsmelanie@me.com>
Sent:Monday, June
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission Hearing 6/11/2025 (APPL-0248-2025)
Planning Commission Members:
Thank you for your volunteer service to our City. I am writing to express my support of the Community
Development Director’s recommendation to deny the appeal of a previously approved Fence Height
Exception application for 1425 Sydney Street. Our property shares a corner with 1425 Sydney and we see
their many landscape improvements from our upstairs. Jake and Lacey have been great neighbors! They
reach out before projects to discuss their plans and notify us in advance of any construction noise. They
have made beautiful improvements to their property that certainly enhance the appearance and home
values on Sydney Street.
I reviewed the staff report and related documents and visited the site to try to understand the issues
stated in the appeal. I am honestly dumbfounded by the complaints it contains. For starters,
it inaccurately describes the fence in question as 6’6”, when it measures 6’. As for the hedge, given the
difference in elevations between the two properties, an 8’ hedge on the lower side will only be a 7’ hedge
on the uphill side. Based on my observations, it appears an 8’ hedge will not block light from entering the
uphill neighbors’ windows. It WILL, however, screen Jake and Lacey’s view of the uphill property’s
existing concrete block wall, which certainly already shades their own yard. Since reviewing the
proposed project, I have been looking at similar grade/fence/hedge conditions along Sydney and across
the neighborhood. It appears the proposed 8’ hedge is consistent with side yards throughout the
neighborhood.
I fully agree with the staff report that the 6’ fence height and proposed 8’ shrub height exception
represents a reasonable compromise that allows for adequate privacy tbetween the two residences,
especially given the grade difference and the closer than normal proximity of the uphill residence to the
property line.
Sincerely,,
Melanie Mills
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