WILMONT BOARD - OPPOSE HIGHER HEDGES

Chair Tolkin and Planning Commissioners,

The Board of Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) opposes increasing the maximum allowed heights for fences, walls and hedges, and rules including those located on top of retaining walls.  Why?

•   SMMC Section 9.21.050(A)(1) which currently allows fences, walls and hedges up to 42 inches in the front setback within all zoning districts including R1, R2, R3 and R4 already has an option to apply for a discretionary height modification should additional height be requested pursuant to SMMC Section 9.43.050(B).
•   SMPD Sergeant Rick Verbeck, Community Engagement Team Supervisor,  commented when asked about this issue:

 "As it pertains to CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) the standard is to have low barriers (hedges and walls) no higher than 3'.  This is to assist in the prevention of criminals hiding behind the hedges or walls, while allowing your neighbors and police to maintain a visual of your property.  High walls and/or hedges,  can lead to a false sense of security because the public can't look into your property.  However, the trade-off is it prevents the natural surveillance of your property.  Also with CPTED in mind, the trees' canopies should be trimmed so that the lowest branch hangs no lower than 6'.  This has the same purpose as the walls / hedges so that criminals can't hide behind the trees, and the trees don't block the view inside your residence."

• If the increased height is implemented, given the increasing density of the city as noted in the staff report, there will be no review to determine if increasing heights will yield visual obstructions to pedestrians, drivers and cyclists.  Section 91.21.180 Hazardous Visual Obstructions code will become more prevalent due to increasing density but will not be looked at or addressed unless there is a discretionary height modification request.
• The city has a limited enforcement ability and the 50% transparency for walls and fences above 42 inches in height will be unenforceable and untenable.   Keep the code as it is.
• We believe some hedges will make buildings less safe from fires, especially if they are higher and if limited height enforcement occurs.  We know that some healthy foliage can actually help slow the fire rate but unhealthy, dry and specific species of hedges can be a tinderbox. 
• The Wilmont neighborhood is the densest in the city with only R2 and R3 zoning.  The staff report states, “through the City’s public outreach process, members of the community expressed support for increased maximum heights for fences, walls and hedges in the front setbacks of properties located within the R2, R3 and R4 zoning districts”.  The Wilmont Board nor its residents were engaged in an outreach effort missing over 50% of the city’s residents who reside in R2 and R3 multi-unit dwelling zones.  Whose opinions were sought during this outreach?
•  City codes are made to better support all residents.  If a resident has an issue they have a solution.  They can apply for a discretionary height modification should additional heights be requested pursuant to SMMC Section 9.43.050(B).
• We support keeping the process and code the same as it is for R1.

Thank you for your time and consideration for these concerns and recommendations.

Board of Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont)
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