Council approves fence variance for corner lot adjacent to Denham Springs Elementary

Durham Springs — The Durham Springs City Council on Aug. 25 approved a fence-variance request for a corner lot at 405 Cedar Street, which backs up to Denham Springs Elementary.

The council opened a public hearing on the variance request filed by Landon Vincent. Cherry Vincent, the applicant’s mother, spoke at the hearing and said the fence (a wooden fence proposed to align with an existing chain-link fence along the school property) is intended to provide added protection for her kindergartner because of nearby busy traffic. Planning and Zoning recommended approval by a unanimous vote recorded in the meeting as 6–0, with primary concern being preservation of the sight (vision) triangle.

Council members clarified the matter was previously authorized for public hearing by the Planning & Zoning Commission and that the item required council approval. Councilmember Gilbert moved to approve the variance and Councilman Poole seconded; the clerk called the vote and recorded yes votes from Gilbert, Liam Williams and Poole and the motion carried. Council members emphasized the need to maintain the sight triangle; staff noted the proposed fence would follow the existing chain-link line up to the property’s back edge.

The council’s approval authorizes the variance for placement of the fence in the right-of-way plus 10 feet for the corner lot as described in the agenda; the meeting record does not show conditions beyond the planning commission’s emphasis on protecting the sight triangle.