Council denies variance to let a mostly opaque frontage fence; height variance fails

Peachtree City Council considered a homeowner’s request to allow a 6-foot privacy fence and to permit solid (more than 50% opaque) material along certain frontages of a corner lot. Planning staff explained the ordinance requires front-yard/frontage fence components be no more than 4 feet high and at least 50% visually open as viewed from the street for safety and sight-line reasons.

Applicant Alex Wilhelm described moving to Peachtree City with his young children and requested the 6-foot privacy fence for child safety, privacy and to mitigate traffic and visibility from passersby. “A 6 foot privacy fence provides a much safer, more secure barrier for both our children and then other neighborhood children as well,” he said.

Council members debated public-safety sight-triangle and ordinance consistency. One member argued granting the variance would amount to a special privilege and could set a precedent; another urged a compromise that would provide privacy while preserving visibility on front-facing portions. The council split the issues: a motion to allow certain 6-foot sections while keeping the two small front-facing sections at 4 feet failed 2–3, and a separate motion to deny the variance that would permit an opaque frontage fence passed 3–2.

Council members who voted to deny the opacity variance cited safety and sight-line concerns for corner lots; supporters of limited height relief argued the homeowner’s safety and neighborhood privacy were important but that material and location adjustments should protect visibility standards. The decision leaves the ordinance’s 50% visibility requirement intact for the frontage components and denies the applicant’s request for greater opacity.