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Community Development Department
December 21; 2015
Ashok Anumandla
559 Kenneth Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
Re: File No: PLN2015-363
Address: 559 Kenneth Ave
Application: Fence Exception
Dear Applicant:
The Planning Division has reviewed your Fence Exception application fora 5'-2" tall
wall/fence with metal gates along the front property line of 559 Kenneth Ave where a
maximum height of 3'-6" is allowed by municipal code.
The Community Development Director has denied the Fence Exception. Fence Exceptions can
only be approved after the four following findings are made:
1. It would not impair pedestrian or vehicular safety;
2. It would result in a more desirable site layout;
3. It would not be detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, or general
welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the change; .and
4. It would not be detrimental or injurious to property and improvements in the
neighborhood or to the general welfare of the City.
There's a purpose as to why cities have fence provisions and height limitations. In particular,
cities limit front yard fencing in order to keep an open streetscape where residential homes
aren't screened by tall fences/walls. Otherwise neighborhoods would be tunnel-like corridors.
The Fencing Ordinance requires setbacks in order to maintain a certain neighborhood character
by requiring front yard open space visible from the street. Staff examined the existing built
environment and found the vast majority of homes in the neighborhood have open front yards;
at most, fence/walls are 3.5 feet tall.
The proposed 5 foot tall wall would close off the front yard, which would be inconsistent with
the open character found in the neighborhood and would disrupt the existing development
pattern. Therefore, the proposed wall would not result in a more desirable site layout, would be
detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals; comfort, or general welfare of persons residing
70 North First Street • Campbell, CA 95008-1423 • TEt, (408) 866-2140 • Fnx (408) 866-5140 • E-t~tAn,planning@cityofcampbell.com
PLN2015-363 ~ 559 Kenneth Ave. Page 2 of 2
or working in the neighborhood, and would be detrimental or injurious to property and
improvements in the neighborhood or to the general welfare of the-City, so Finding #2, #3, and
#4 cannot be made.
In: addition,, Campbell Municipal Code Section 21.18.060 (A)(d) states no fence, wall, lattice;
or screen over 3.5 feet shall be allowed within the triangular area formed by measuring 10 feet
along the street, property line and 10 feet along the driveway from their "extended" intersection
and connecting these two points (see diagram below). Because the proposed wa1T does not
.provide the 10 foot vision triangle on each side of both driveways and will obstruct views of
approaching vehicles, bicycles; and pedestrians from the driveway, Finding #1 cannot be made.
CMC Section 21.18.060 (A)(d) Figure 3-2
. This decision is final in 10 calendar days of the Community Development Director's decision,
unless an appeal is received in.writing at the City of Campbell Community Development
Department, 70 North First Street, Campbell, on or before January 11, 2015 (accounting for
the holiday closure of the city offices). A written appeal must be accompanied .by the required .
$200 appeal filing fee.
If there should be any questions regarding this letter, please feel free to contact me at (408)
866'-2144 or by email at nazp~,cityofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Naz Pouya
Project Planner
cc: Paul Kermoyan, Community Development Director