TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Commission-directed ULDC text amendments related to fence height and location
Recommended Action
Discuss and provide staff with direction via consensus.
Background Information
At the November 5, 2018 Commission Meeting, staff was directed to bring forward ULDC text amendments related to fence height and location. Specifically, per the approved minutes:
(1) Allow eight-foot fence from the elevation of the house and around all sides;
(2) Remove hedges from the language;
(3) Be sure to cross reference the landscaping section of the code bringing any necessary changes there to be consistent;
(4) Make sure the code is consistent within the language itself; and
(5) Review the visibility triangle language to be consistent with the changes.
Staff drafted the proposed amendments and checked in with staff in other departments with expertise in traffic safety and State Building Code requirements before finalizing them. During that process, several issues and potentially unintended consequences were identified that staff would like to discuss with the Commission prior to finalizing the Ordinance. The issues generally fall into two categories: (A) Public and Traffic Safety, and (B) Construction and Site Development.
A. Public and Traffic Safety-Related Issues
* Visibility Triangle: If tall solid fences are allowed on all property lines, the visibility triangle language currently in the ULDC is not adequate to protect the safety of pedestrians, tricycles/bicycles, dogs being walked, strollers, etc. from drivers pulling out onto the street, especially when backing out. Another potential consequence is that a fence on the front property line could affect the visibility triangle of driveways on adjacent property and limit the safety and location of those driveways.
* Stopping Sight Distance Triangle: This is the area that needs to be clear of visual obstruc...
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