In a recent government meeting, the Planning and Zoning Board discussed a variance request from Lauren and Norma Quintero, owners of a single-family residence located at the northeast corner of Kingston Street and Fairfax Avenue. The couple is seeking permission to increase the height of a fence on the east perimeter of their property from the standard 8 feet to 10 feet, citing ongoing privacy concerns due to a neighbor's behavior.

The Quinteros currently have a 6-foot wooden fence topped with 4-foot plywood, which violates city code. They plan to remove the plywood and bring the remaining fencing into compliance with city regulations. The request for the variance is specifically for the east side of the property, where the couple has experienced issues with a neighbor allegedly stalking and monitoring their family, including their child with autism.

During the meeting, board members expressed concerns about setting a precedent for future variance requests based on privacy issues. Some members suggested that alternative solutions, such as planting tall shrubs, could provide the desired privacy without the need for a taller fence. However, others argued that the unique circumstances of the Quinteros' situation warranted the variance.

The board ultimately debated whether the variance should be tied to the current property owner or remain with the property itself. While some members favored a time-limited variance, others believed it should be granted permanently to avoid future complications for subsequent owners.

The discussion highlighted the complexities of balancing individual privacy rights with established zoning codes, as well as the potential implications of granting variances based on personal disputes. The board is expected to make a decision on the variance request in the coming weeks.