Planning board approves 6‑foot fence and 0‑setback for Boca Raton Christian School despite neighbor concerns

The Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously April 4 to allow Boca Raton Christian School to install a 6‑foot perimeter fence along portions of its 11.4‑acre campus and to set the fence at the property line in places where code requires a 5‑foot setback.

Pam Kitchen, the city's zoning officer, told the board that staff found “special and unique conditions” that justify the variances and recommended approval, saying the taller fence and reduced setback are reasonable to “provide proper protection for the existing use on the property.”

Juliet Schiff, representing Boca Raton Christian School, described the campus layout, vehicle gates and security measures. She said the school serves about 750 students and families across pre‑K through 12th grade and that the campus would keep existing hedges and mature trees where possible. "We will have a security officer on‑site," Schiff said, laying out how gates would be managed during drop‑off and pick‑up.

Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing did not oppose the fence height but worried that placing a fence on the property line would permit vegetation to overgrow sidewalks. Holly (Ellie) Sutton, chair of the Citizens Bikeway and Pedestrian Committee, asked who would maintain sidewalks where hedges currently grow through chain‑link fencing. Cameron Free, a pastor and on‑staff church employee who lives across the street, urged the board to support the school for safety reasons.

Board discussion acknowledged those concerns but noted similar conditions exist elsewhere in the city. The motion to approve passed by roll call vote, 5–0.

The board's action grants the zoning variances described in the application; no additional conditions were listed during the hearing beyond staff's recommendations. Next steps include the city's administrative follow‑up to finalize the variance paperwork and any required permitting before construction or fencing work begins.