Board grants after‑the‑fact front‑yard fence variance for Beulah Woods property
August 12, 2025 | Flagler County, Florida
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The Flagler County Planning and Development Board unanimously approved an after‑the‑fact variance on Aug. 24 allowing landscape panels and decorative columns that exceed the county's 4-foot front-setback fence-height limit at 8 Indian Mound Court in Beulah Woods Unit 3.
Planner Simone Kenny told the board the property is roughly 5.2 acres and that staff had determined the installed landscape panels—5.7 feet tall—qualified as a fence under the land‑development code, triggering a permit requirement. "Fences and walls are permitted uses in all residential districts," Kenny said; the applicants must obtain a 1.7-foot front-yard variance to legalize the 5.7-foot panels.
Applicant Rose Salenza, who said she is the homeowner, told the board the panels were installed in good faith as decorative features after consulting a garden magazine and that the panels are open, spaced to allow wildlife to pass and do not provide security or privacy. "It was my fault. I did it. I didn't realize that it would be considered a fence," Salenza said.
Multiple neighbors testified in support, saying the panels improved the appearance of the cul‑de‑sac and did not impede wildlife movement. Maria Regisi, who lives across the street, said the panels complement the natural setting and the deer still move through the area. Several speakers said they walk the neighborhood frequently and supported the variance.
Board members asked staff about distinguishing decorative landscape features from fences in future code updates. Staff recommended approving the minimum relief necessary: a 1.7-foot variance to permit the measured 5.7-foot panel height. The board moved, seconded and voted unanimously to approve project 2025060043.
The approval regularizes the existing panels and gate; staff noted the concrete columns were already permitted and that the variance was limited to the landscape panels' height within the front setback. The board recorded the approval by unanimous roll-call vote.
Planner Simone Kenny told the board the property is roughly 5.2 acres and that staff had determined the installed landscape panels—5.7 feet tall—qualified as a fence under the land‑development code, triggering a permit requirement. "Fences and walls are permitted uses in all residential districts," Kenny said; the applicants must obtain a 1.7-foot front-yard variance to legalize the 5.7-foot panels.
Applicant Rose Salenza, who said she is the homeowner, told the board the panels were installed in good faith as decorative features after consulting a garden magazine and that the panels are open, spaced to allow wildlife to pass and do not provide security or privacy. "It was my fault. I did it. I didn't realize that it would be considered a fence," Salenza said.
Multiple neighbors testified in support, saying the panels improved the appearance of the cul‑de‑sac and did not impede wildlife movement. Maria Regisi, who lives across the street, said the panels complement the natural setting and the deer still move through the area. Several speakers said they walk the neighborhood frequently and supported the variance.
Board members asked staff about distinguishing decorative landscape features from fences in future code updates. Staff recommended approving the minimum relief necessary: a 1.7-foot variance to permit the measured 5.7-foot panel height. The board moved, seconded and voted unanimously to approve project 2025060043.
The approval regularizes the existing panels and gate; staff noted the concrete columns were already permitted and that the variance was limited to the landscape panels' height within the front setback. The board recorded the approval by unanimous roll-call vote.
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