DeKalb commission tables request for 6‑foot privacy fence at 129 Wendell Place

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday continued a public hearing on a petition by Jim Hartwig requesting a variance to allow a 6‑foot privacy fence to be built in a portion of the front yard along South Second Street at 129 Wendell Place; the commission voted to table the item for further discussion at its Oct. 6 meeting.

The request would place a solid 6‑foot fence about 4 feet behind the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the property and start the fence roughly 11 feet back from the front of the house, encroaching into the yard area along South Second Street. City staff said the house sits roughly 25 to 29 feet from the right‑of‑way and that the lot measures about 80 by 125 feet (approximately 10,500 square feet).

The variance drew several neighbors who opposed the proposal on aesthetic and property‑value grounds and the applicant, who said the fence was primarily for safety and privacy. "Our number 1 thing was safety," said Jim Hartwig, who identified himself as a local insurance agent. "We want to do what's best for my family, for safety, privacy." Hartwig said the family has three children, ages 15, 9 and 2, and a dog, and that he and his wife had delayed the project until returning from military deployment when funding became available.

Residents who spoke said a solid fence at the proposed location would be an "eyesore" and harm neighborhood character. "It's definitely gonna block views," said Susan Petrus, a longtime resident of Wendell Place. Jacqueline Killeen, representing neighbors who submitted a petition signed by 17 residents, read a letter noting the petitioners believe the legal criteria for a variance have not been met and warned that approving the fence could set a precedent for similar encroachments. A realtor's letter submitted by the neighbors argued approval would reduce property values. Adele Pantel, another nearby resident, told the commission she feared a boxed‑in appearance along Second Street would change the subdivision's character.

City planning staff (Dan) explained the variance request in the context of recent, similar corner‑lot fence variances the commission has approved and said the city engineer reviewed sight lines and found no visibility issue for motorists at the intersection. "We did look at the visibility issue first… the city engineer reviewed this also when they sent people out to take a look at it," staff said. The staff report referenced prior approvals at other addresses (examples given during the presentation showed back‑set distances of 4 to 10 feet in earlier cases) and recommended approval of the variance, subject to the commission's findings.

Neighbors and some commissioners urged compromise. Several speakers and commissioners suggested alternatives: moving the fence to the west side of the house, trimming or removing lower tree limbs, tapering fence height, or placing the fence flush with the back of the garage rather than close to the sidewalk. Diane Frederick, a nearby neighbor, suggested moving the fence to the west side and routing it around the basement stair to give the family more usable yard without putting a solid wall on Second Street.

During discussion, City Manager Bill said the city is reviewing programs and grant funding for private tree issues and that staff is evaluating options, including a 50/50 tree program and a recent Morton Arboretum grant to help with pruning and planting. He said the cost to remove the mature trees at the Hartwig property had previously been quoted to the owners at roughly $12,000–$15,000, and that staff could explore what assistance might be available.

Commissioners ultimately agreed to continue the hearing to allow the applicant to talk with neighbors and staff about potential compromises and to permit staff to consider an arborist visit and tree‑program options. The motion to table the item to the commission's Oct. 6 meeting at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb Public Library was seconded by Commissioner Vinnie Graham and carried on a voice vote. The record does not show a separate formal vote on the variance findings of fact at this meeting.

Clarifying details in the staff record, the applicant's presentation and public comments: the proposed fence height is 6 feet; the applicant proposed beginning the fence 11 feet back from the front of the house and 4 feet from the sidewalk on South Second Street; the lot was described by staff as about 80 by 125 feet (~10,500 sq. ft.); the city engineer reported sight‑distance analysis did not show a visibility problem; neighbors submitted a petition signed by 17 residents and multiple letters; estimated tree removal costs cited by the applicant were roughly $12,000–$15,000.

The hearing was continued to Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb Public Library; the commission asked staff to consider a site visit by an arborist and to explore possible tree‑program assistance, and encouraged the applicant and neighbors to seek a compromise before the next meeting.