Landlords ask council for variance after building front fence without a permit

Two landlords, Cesar and Marisol Rabon, came to the podium to ask the council for assistance after building a front fence on a Kelly Street rental property and learning they lacked a permit. The Rabons said they had been renovating a vacant property they intended to rent to the housing authority and were told by a city employee that a permit was not required for fencing in the rear; they said they misunderstood and built a front fence that encroaches into a 20-foot right-of-way.

"I didn't think I needed a permit for fencing, period," Cesar Rabon said, explaining he built the fence based on an existing line and that tearing it down would be a financial hardship. He said he had spoken to Maria Prieto and Robert Olgin and asked the council for a variance to avoid removal.

City staff advised the Rabons to contact city hall and ask to speak with the city manager so staff can direct them to the appropriate department for follow-up; council did not act on the request during the meeting. The Rabons said they were remodeling to provide secure rentals and that one tenant was elderly.

The council instructed staff to assist the property owners with the permitting process and direct them to the city manager for next steps; no formal variance was granted or denied at the meeting.