Board approves 6-foot PVC privacy fence at 107 Cherry Street

The Milford Board of Adjustments unanimously granted two variances that let Ramona Lovett replace an existing 21-year-old wooden fence with a six-foot PVC privacy fence in the front-yard area along Cherry Street at 107 Cherry Street. The board voted to approve an increase in permitted front-yard fence height from 3.5 feet to 6 feet and to allow a privacy-style fence within the front yard where such fences are normally prohibited in R-1 districts. Lovett said the existing fence is termite-damaged and has been in place about 21 years; she told the board she and her neighbors support replacing it in its current location. "We just wanna replace it with a white one," she said, adding that the fence sits in the same place it has for two decades and that moving it would reduce usable yard. Neighbor George Ehrmann, who lives at 817 Seabury Avenue and has a vinyl fence, spoke in support. "I have no issues with her replacing that fence," Ehrmann said. Planning staff described the two variances requested from Milford City Code: chapter 230-39(a)(1) (maximum front-yard fence height for residential uses) and chapter 230-39(a)(2) (prohibition on privacy fences in the front yard). Staff said the property is a corner lot and provided photographs and the applicant’s narrative responses to the variance criteria. The board discussed the fence’s existing placement and the lack of opposition among neighbors who were contacted. Board members cited the fence’s long-standing placement and safety/privacy interests tied to anticipated pool replacement as reasons to approve. The board voted to approve variance request 1 (height increase) and variance request 2 (privacy fence in front yard) by unanimous vote. Lovett may now proceed with the fence permit process per city procedures.