Mother's Proposed Fence Sparks Debate at Zoning Board Meeting

A young widow's proposal to install a fence around her house caused much debate among her neighbors during a Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Monday night.

Celestina Berlin, who lives on Osborne Avenue, came before the board for a hearing continuation on the proposed six-foot fence she would like to put up on the portion of her property that runs along Vista Lane. She said she wants to put it up to afford her privacy and protection for her dog and her children.

Berlin said she staked the property 10½ feet back from the curb for the proposed fence, which is six feet high in some spots and four feet in other spots.

The size of the fence was an issue for some of her neighbors, while the idea of a fence at all was a concern for others. Berlin said board members had previously asked if she would put plants around the outside of the fence and she said while she can’t afford to do so right now, she is willing to put hanging baskets of seasonal plants on the fence until she can put plants in the ground.

Neighbor Steve Serafin said he is concerned about how the property on the outside of the fence will be maintained. But Berlin said she has a landscaper who will maintain the property outside the fence the same as it’s maintained on the inside.

Serafin also said the rest of the neighbors feel they are being “punished” by the prospect of the fence.

Berlin has said her neighbors and people driving by can see straight through her house. But Serafin said the reason people can see straight through her house is because she removed a wall and doesn’t have proper curtains on the windows. He also said he doesn’t dispute the need to keep her dog and children safe, but he doesn’t think a fence will do that.

Serafin continued by saying that there is a drainage problem on her property, and he is concerned that a fence will make it worse.

Neighbor Barbara Norton said she has the same concerns about drainage, and is not happy with the idea of being able to see the fence from her house. She said she is also concerned that the fence will make it difficult for her to see when she is pulling her car out of her driveway.

Two other neighbors testified on Berlin’s behalf, saying she does need the fence to keep her children safe.

“She’s a young widow, trying to take care of her young children since her husband died,” said neighbor Lori Hill. “When you are raising children by yourself, and they are out in the yard, if you have to run back in the house, even for a moment, you need to know your kids are protected.”

She also testified that some neighbors have done all they can to help Berlin since her husband died, including maintaining her property.

The board is expected to take a vote on the issue at the Oct. 3 meeting.

In other business:

• Lana and Alex Fishbein, Seven Oaks Drive, requested permission to enclose the underside of their existing deck. The proposed rear yard setback to the addition is 38 feet, and 40 feet is the minimum required.
• Vipin and Vineeta Gudwani, Gordon Place, requested permission to construct a deck. The rear yard setback to the deck is 16 feet, whereas 40 feet is the minimum requirement.
• Daryl and Lina Blank, Vista Lane, requested permission to construct a deck. The combined side yard setback is 25.05 feet, whereas 30 feet is the minimum required. The property does not have a garage, and a one-car garage is required.
• Daniel and Melissa Tasse, Union Avenue, requested permission to construct an addition to their home. The proposed FAR is .248, and .237 is the maximum allowed. In the rear yard of the property there is a playground area and fence that are located on adjoining property/access easement. 

The board will bring their recommendations for all the requests to its next meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 3.