P&Z defers decision on fence-height rule after debate over grade measurement, hedges and privacy

The Planning and Zoning Board of the City of West Miami voted 5-0 to defer consideration of proposed amendments to zoning ordinance 2-82, section 7.22, which would change how fence height is measured and raise maximum heights in some cases.

The proposal under discussion would have measured the 6-foot maximum from finished floor elevation rather than ground grade and included language allowing fences up to 8 feet in some circumstances. Several board members said measuring from finished floor would produce inconsistent results in West Miami, where many homes have crawl spaces or elevated floors; those homes could end up with fences that are effectively much taller when measured from the street. The city manager explained that hedges are already allowed to reach 8 feet in certain rear and side yards and suggested matching a fence maximum to that standard; some board members proposed allowing hedges up to 10 feet if maintained.

Staff and the city manager also reminded the board that any fence over typical retail heights will require engineering review under the Florida Building Code for wind loads. Board members raised privacy and pedestrian-safety concerns about solid 8‑foot walls directly adjacent to sidewalks on corner or side streets; the city manager suggested limiting taller fences to rear/interior yard areas so sidewalks and street-facing frontages remain visible.

After discussion the board elected to defer the item for staff research and redrafting, asking staff to return with clearer verbiage about how grade is measured (staff described averaging five points along the fence line), corner-lot rules, and how hedges and fences should be treated separately in the code. Board member Diana Rio made the motion to defer; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.