Lincolnwood board delays decision on hog‑wire fence variance at 4529 West Columbia
May 19, 2026 | Lincolnwood, Cook County, Illinois
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The Village of Lincolnwood Board of Trustees on May 19 continued action on an ordinance that would grant three variances for a corner side‑yard fence at 4529 West Columbia, moving the item to the June 2 board meeting to give the petitioner an opportunity to respond and staff time to consider alternatives.
Staff described the request as a combination or “hog wire” fence — a welded‑wire fabric covered with wood elements — and identified three variances: (1) corner yard orientation measured from the building edge, (2) a reduced 3‑foot setback from the front‑facing façade, and (3) the fence material, which the code generally disallows in residential zones except in limited, seasonal garden uses.
Trustee Martel objected to approving the material variance on the record, arguing the petitioner had not demonstrated a hardship as required by the code and warning that approving the material would establish an undesirable precedent. Martel raised safety and durability questions about 9‑gauge welded wire and urged staff to consider updating the fence code to reflect modern materials and practices. The transcript records Martel saying the petitioner’s letter cited the need to contain small dogs but that cost or preference alone does not constitute a demonstrable hardship under the ordinance.
After debate about options and whether to allow location but not material, Trustee Klotzko moved to continue the matter to the June 2 meeting to permit the petitioner to appear and discuss alternatives with staff; the motion carried on a roll call vote with trustees recorded as voting aye.
What happens next: the item is continued to the June 2 board meeting. Staff indicated it will invite the petitioner to appear and suggested staff may present alternative compliant fence options. Trustees also discussed whether to remand the fence material question to the plan commission or to a committee for possible code revision.
Speakers quoted or cited in this article are those who participated in the fence variance discussion and are listed in the meeting record.
Staff described the request as a combination or “hog wire” fence — a welded‑wire fabric covered with wood elements — and identified three variances: (1) corner yard orientation measured from the building edge, (2) a reduced 3‑foot setback from the front‑facing façade, and (3) the fence material, which the code generally disallows in residential zones except in limited, seasonal garden uses.
Trustee Martel objected to approving the material variance on the record, arguing the petitioner had not demonstrated a hardship as required by the code and warning that approving the material would establish an undesirable precedent. Martel raised safety and durability questions about 9‑gauge welded wire and urged staff to consider updating the fence code to reflect modern materials and practices. The transcript records Martel saying the petitioner’s letter cited the need to contain small dogs but that cost or preference alone does not constitute a demonstrable hardship under the ordinance.
After debate about options and whether to allow location but not material, Trustee Klotzko moved to continue the matter to the June 2 meeting to permit the petitioner to appear and discuss alternatives with staff; the motion carried on a roll call vote with trustees recorded as voting aye.
What happens next: the item is continued to the June 2 board meeting. Staff indicated it will invite the petitioner to appear and suggested staff may present alternative compliant fence options. Trustees also discussed whether to remand the fence material question to the plan commission or to a committee for possible code revision.
Speakers quoted or cited in this article are those who participated in the fence variance discussion and are listed in the meeting record.
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