Neighbors question sidewalk plans, crepe myrtles and fence placement on Edgewood Boulevard

Residents at the Aug. 6 Board of Zoning Adjustments hearing voiced concerns that placing a privacy fence closer to Edgewood Boulevard could conflict with future sidewalk construction and require removal of crepe myrtle trees in the city right-of-way.

Cheryl Born, who lives at 321 Edgewood Boulevard, asked whether a sidewalk would be added on the roadside and whether the proposed fence would be a wooden privacy fence, saying, "So is there gonna be a sidewalk added on that side?" Staff and the applicant said sidewalk plans are under discussion and that city right-of-way plans could affect the fence location. The applicant acknowledged there are multiple crepe myrtles in the right-of-way and that coordination between the builder and city is ongoing.

Resident Beverly Bryce LeBoeuf urged the board to apply the zoning hardship criteria strictly and pointed to possible alternatives such as aligning a fence with an existing accessory structure or using dense landscaping to preserve sightlines and mowing access. Applicant occupant Jessica Shaka said city staff told the family they were notified the city might remove crepe myrtles to install a sidewalk, and that concern over tree removal factored into the household's decision to seek a closer fence.