Neighbors oppose 8-foot fence proposal for Pebble Hill Presbyterian Community Garden

The DeWitt Zoning Board of Appeals convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss a variance request from the Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church regarding the installation of an eight-foot fence around its community garden. The meeting featured input from several local residents, highlighting concerns about the proposed fence height and its implications for the neighborhood.

The session began with a call for public comments, allowing neighbors to express their views on the church's request. Karen Adams, a resident of 212 Beam Rock Circle, was among the first to speak. She expressed her concerns about the eight-foot fence, noting that it would obstruct views and be out of character with the residential area, where existing fences typically do not exceed six feet. Adams emphasized that the deer population in the area has significantly decreased, suggesting that the need for such a high fence to deter deer is unwarranted.

Adams also mentioned that many neighbors, including herself, had not received proper notification about the variance request, raising questions about community engagement in the decision-making process. She provided a list of neighbors who share views of the garden, all of whom she claimed would be affected by the proposed fence height.

Another resident, Carolyn Garner, submitted a letter opposing the eight-foot fence, stating that it would be obtrusive and unnecessary. Garner pointed out that while the church's community garden is a positive initiative, the deer issue has been largely mitigated, and other animals pose a greater threat to gardens than deer do. She advocated for a four-foot fence as a more reasonable compromise.

The church's representatives defended the request, arguing that the height was necessary to protect the garden from various pests, including groundhogs. They acknowledged the concerns raised by neighbors but maintained that the eight-foot fence would not only serve its purpose but could also be designed to be aesthetically pleasing.

As discussions continued, board members expressed the need to balance the church's request with the concerns of the community. They suggested that further dialogue between the church and the neighbors might help reach a consensus. The board indicated that they would consider the input received before making a decision on the variance request.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the proposal after allowing time for additional discussions among the affected parties. The board's next steps will involve evaluating the community feedback and determining whether the eight-foot fence is justified or if a lower height would suffice.