The City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. (date not specified) approved a variance allowing a 7-foot fence in the secondary front-yard setback at 120 South Gregg Street, overruling the typical 6-foot corner-lot limit. The board voted to approve the request subject to staff comments.

The applicant told the board the property sits at a T-intersection and that the household has three small children who play in the backyard. The applicant said the higher fence would increase privacy and help keep toys and children inside the yard, noting that several neighbors cosigned a letter of support. "We would like a little bit more privacy, a little bit more security," the applicant said during their presentation.

Andrew Livingood, zoning board administrator, introduced the application (2025-0030-V) and explained the local standard cited in the hearing: the code generally limits fences in front-yard setbacks to 4 feet, and allows up to 6 feet on corner lots. The applicant requested a one-foot increase to that corner-lot allowance to reach 7 feet.

Board members questioned why 7 feet was necessary for visibility and safety; the applicant said the lot grade and neighborhood use make the extra foot meaningful for keeping children and yard equipment contained. During discussion, board members also cited neighborhood precedent for similar corner-lot fences. One board member noted that several corner-lot properties in nearby Earlwood have 7-foot fences and that many households with small children use taller fences.

A motion to approve the variance subject to staff comments was made and seconded; the chair called the vote and the motion carried. The transcript records the board calling for a voice vote and members answering "Aye," but individual member votes were not listed in the minutes provided.

The board’s action allows the applicant to install a 7-foot fence along the secondary front-yard on the corner section of the property, with final details to be addressed in the staff conditions. The staff conditions were referenced at the hearing but not read into the record in full; the applicant was told to comply with staff comments as part of the approval.

No written opposition was cited on the record. The meeting then moved to adjournment.