TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, City Manager
DATE: July 3, 2018
Title
HEIGHT OF HEDGES.
BACKGROUND: Article III, Section 3.14. - Construction of fences, walls and/or hedges, Sub-section (B) states: “(B) For all plots of single-family detached dwellings and duplex detached dwellings, hedges and/or shrubs may be planted and maintained along any plot line or within the required yard setbacks to a height not exceeding six (6) feet above the established grade except as follows: (1) In side yards not at the corner and rear yards abutting nonresidential property or abutting a right-of-way greater than one hundred (100) feet in width, hedges may be maintained to a height not exceeding ten (10) feet above the established grade.”
Along some roads in Margate where the width of the right-of-way is less than 100 feet there are well-maintained hedges that are approximately 10 feet in height, in violation of the 6-foot height limitation. The length involved is in excess of a few miles.
It is difficult for the staff to explain to the public why a 10-foot-high hedge is allowed along a right-of-way that is 100 feet wired but not one that is 60 or 50 feet wide.
In addition, hedges along ROWs in multi-family projects are limited to 9 feet in height as oppose to the 10-foot height limitation in single family projects. It is difficult to explain the reason for the difference.
RECOMMENDATION: Consider of the 100-foot-wide right-of-way limitation and the difference in height limitations in single family and multi-family projects and provide direction as needed.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
CONTACT PERSON: Robert Massarelli, AICP, Development Services Director