The Boerne Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals denied a variance request on a 5-0 vote to allow a 6-foot fence along the Iron Street frontage of the Irons and Grams Addition, Lot 89A (612 Graham Street).

Ben Simmons, a member of the City of Boerne planning department, told the board the applicant requested the variance to place a taller fence at the property line rather than at the setback line. Simmons summarized public notice and responses and noted staff findings on the Unified Development Code (UDC) criteria, saying, "Staff recommends that the zoning board of adjustments hold a public hearing and determine if the criteria for a variance have been met and approve or deny the variance request."

The applicant, who identified himself as Mark Reid Beaucamp, said a 3-foot fence at the proposed location would not provide privacy or safety for his household. "The required 3 foot fence or the 3 foot wall, in the backyard is, to me, just way too too low," Beaucamp said, adding the property's dog and the elevation changes toward School Street motivated the request.

Neighbors at the public hearing opposed the taller fence, saying a 6-foot barrier along Iron Street would alter the street's prevailing low-fence character. John Nystrom of 518 Iron Street said the proposed 75-foot-long, 6-foot fence would be "a little intimidating, non friendly," and suggested a 4-foot fence with a hedge instead. Other nearby residents, including Val Anderson of 508 Iron Street and John Whitaker of 305 South School Street, urged the board to preserve the neighborhood's front-yard appearance and expressed concern about visibility and aesthetics.

Planning staff had described the property as a double-frontage lot created by a 2024 replat and noted that under UDC section 4-4.b, "no fence or wall other than that of a permitted structure shall exceed a height of 4 feet in the front yard space." Staff also reported 15 mailed responses: six opposed and nine in favor (four of those in favor included stipulations such as exterior plantings).

Board members discussed the dual-frontage nature of the lot and whether the owner had reasonable expectation of privacy. Several commissioners indicated they did not see a unique hardship that would justify overturning the UDC standard for front-yard fences. One member summarized that the lot was likely purchased with the frontage conditions known and that the previously issued permits approved a 4-foot fence at the Iron Street frontage.

After discussion, a board member moved to deny the variance and another seconded; the motion carried 5-0. The board recorded the denial and moved to the next agenda item.

Votes at a glance: Variance 25-02 (612 Graham Street) — Motion to deny carried 5-0.

The board closed the public hearing on the item and continued the meeting with later agenda items.