A conditional-use permit request to allow a 6-foot fence in the front yard at 404 Circle Drive was discussed by the Winchester City Planning Commission during its work session.

Aiden Davis, community development staff, told the commission the request (CU25225) arose after the fence was built without a permit. “So yes. This is a fence, CUP for 404 Circle Drive,” Davis said, describing the lot as a newly built home on a 0.21-acre medium-density residential parcel and noting the fence was installed prior to approvals.

The zoning ordinance requires a conditional-use permit where a fence does not meet the specifications in the code; staff said there is no variance procedure for fences. Davis said staff has reviewed the design with engineering, found no easement conflicts, and would recommend conditions that include issuance of a fence permit, a maximum height not to exceed 6 feet, and that any future substantial alterations would require a new CUP or compliance with the current ordinance.

Commissioners questioned the role of the lot geometry in triggering the CUP. Chairwoman Burnett asked whether the issue stemmed from the house’s corner-lot geometry; Davis explained the city’s corner-lot definition treats both sides as front yard where two segments of the same street meet, and that the ordinance limits front-yard fences in those locations (the ordinance requires 4-foot maximum, 25% openness in the relevant front-yard area). “There is nothing that I could do about that administratively to try and allow for that 6 foot tall fence,” Davis said, summarizing why the CUP route was the only viable alternative short of removing the fence.

Commissioner Bloom noted the applicant cited proximity to a nearby street and child safety in support of the taller fence; other commissioners said they had no further questions and framed the item as routine compared with earlier years when fence CUPs were more common.

No formal action or vote was taken at the work session; the matter remains pending and will follow the city’s normal public-notice and approval procedures for conditional-use permits.

Ending: The commission did not vote on CU25225 at the work session. Staff recommended conditions described above and indicated the item will proceed through the typical permitting and public-notice steps before any final decision.