A. Reduction Of Yard Dimensions: Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the minimum yard dimensions specified in this title shall not be reduced except through action by the board.
B. Unobstructed Yards: Yards shall be kept unobstructed for their entire depth except as specified in this title.
C. Authorized Features Permitted: Private driveways, service drives, easements, sidewalks, flagpoles, arbors, trellises, fences, walls, columns, light poles, hydrants, patios, accessory signs, and other decorative recreational items, and utility devices and equipment may be placed in any yard.
D. Fences, Walls And Hedges:
1. Restrictions On Placement: Fences, walls and/or hedges may be placed in any yard or along the edge of any yard subject to the following restrictions:
a. Front Yard Fences:
(1) No fences shall be erected in a front yard without first obtaining a variance from the zoning board of appeals. A fence constructed in a front yard shall not exceed four feet (4') without first obtaining a variance from the zoning board of appeals. A fence constructed in a front yard shall not have less than forty percent (40%) open in design without first obtaining a variance from the zoning board of appeals.
(2) No variance is required to repair an authorized existing front yard fence. The repair must utilize like kind and quality of materials.
(3) When placing a front yard fence, no fence shall be situated between the front lot line and the nearest line of a structure located on said lot without first obtaining a variance from the zoning board of appeals. "The nearest line of the structure" shall not include the space attributed to an extension of the structure (such as a deck, a porch [whether enclosed or not], a 3 season room or any other extension to the front of the dwelling space) even if said space is finished and/or used as living space.
b. Corner Lot Fences: Fences on corner lots, as defined in section 10-2-1 of this title, shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from the property line abutting the street and shall not exceed four feet (4') in height unless the zoning board of appeals approves a variance authorizing a lesser setback and/or a greater height not to exceed six feet (6').
c. Interior Lot And Rear Yard Fences: Interior lot fences and rear yard fences shall not exceed six feet (6') in height. An interior lot is defined in section 10-2-1 of this title.
2. Administrative Approval Procedure: The procedure to obtain a permit to construct a fence shall be as follows:
a. Application For Permit; Plan And Compliance Required: Any person owning or having an interest in the subject property may file an application for a fence permit. Such application shall be submitted to the village administrator along with a site plan for the fence and proof that the fence complies with this subsection and the requirements herein set forth.
b. Approval Procedure: Upon receiving such application, the village administrator or his designee shall give notice to property owners within two hundred (200) linear feet on the same street or affected area of the request for a fence permit. When acting on an application, the village administrator or his designee shall verify conformity of the fence with the standards set out in subsection D2c of this section.
c. Permit Standards: When determining whether or not to issue a permit for a fence the village administrator or his designee shall consider the following:
(1) The approval of variances by the board of appeals; and
(2) The input of surrounding property owners and residents regarding compliance with the standards set forth in this section; and
(3) The compatibility of the proposed fence, considering its placement, height and construction, with the surrounding neighborhood and its impact on the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties; and
(4) Whether or not the proposed fence will impair the safety, welfare, light, or air, or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood, or impair natural drainage or create drainage problems on adjacent properties; and
(5) The proposed fence shall not alter the established character of the neighborhood; and
(6) These standards are applicable to all fence applications as herein set forth.
E. Corner Lot Visibility: On a corner lot, nothing shall be constructed, erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as materially to impede vision between a height of two and one-half feet (21/2') and ten feet (10') above the centerline grades of the intersecting streets in an area bounded by the street right of way lines of such corner lot and a straight line joining points along said street right of way lines fifty feet (50') from the nearest point of intersection. Beyond such fifty foot (50') limits, subsection D of this section shall apply. (Ord. 2016-1476, 6-21-2016)