ARB grants hedge-height waiver at 1148 Wild Cherry Lane with maintenance conditions

The Village of Wellington Architectural Review Board approved petition 2025-0019-ARB to allow a hedge-height waiver for 1148 Wild Cherry Lane, permitting taller vegetation along the front plane where the property’s pool and patio are located to preserve privacy, provided the owner follows a maintenance and infill schedule set by staff.

Planning staff presented the petition and said the 0.3-acre single-family lot (owner listed as Georgette Berndt) has a pool and patio placed to the side of the house rather than the rear, which staff said justifies an ARB waiver to maintain hedge height above the standard 3-foot limit under Wellington’s land development rules (staff referenced "section 6.4…of Wellington's land development regulations"). Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring the owner to address secondary plant material and to infill patchy areas so the hedge’s base is not bare beyond code allowances.

Paul Barrant (who identified Georgette Berndt as his wife) spoke for the owner and said the hedges have been that height historically; he told the board that a Google Maps image indicated the hedge height has not changed for many years. A board member who reported driving by the property described multiple species and patchy, struggling areas in the hedge and urged a more consistent planting material; staff responded that the village’s standard is focused on maintenance (no bare base greater than 18 inches and no encroachment onto the sidewalk) rather than strictly requiring a single species. Staff said they would work with the owner on an infill and maintenance plan to promote healthy growth and to address sight-line concerns at the driveway.

Board members discussed sight-line and safety concerns near the driveway; one member said the waiver was warranted for the side-yard pool screening while expressing concern about an eight-foot hedge near the driveway that could impede visibility. Staff explained the approval conditions would include a timeline (six months) to demonstrate healthy infill growth and removal of secondary/weed vegetation in the hedge’s base. A motion to approve 2025-0019-ARB with staff recommendations carried (vote tally not specified in the transcript).

The ARB’s approval is conditioned on the owner implementing the maintenance/infill plan and ensuring the hedge meets Wellington’s maintenance standards (no overhang into public ways; base vegetation and no visible bare areas beyond the code threshold). Staff will follow up after six months to confirm the hedge is trending toward the required healthy condition and to ensure driveway sight-lines remain safe.