Ocoee leaders OK fence variance

The Ocoee City Commission approved a final variance for a temporary fence at a property in the Roberts Rise subdivision during its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Applicant Roger Rullo filed for the fence variance for his property — located at 622 Roberts Rise Drive — to erect a 6-foot fence along the right side of the home as a means of privacy and to cut down on foot traffic from the undeveloped lot just to the east of the subdivision.

There currently is a 6-foot fence around most of the property, but there is a section without fencing. The issue required approval because the Ocoee Land Development Code includes requirements regarding residential fencing the 6-foot-tall fence wouldn’t meet.

“A fence is allowed in the front if it is a 4-foot fence and see-through, but the code just doesn’t allow a 6-foot-high privacy fence for the front,” Ocoee Zoning Manager Kiel Gajadhar said.

This is the third and final fence variance for this specific section of the subdivision; the commission heard the first  last month regarding the home across the street at 615 Roberts Rise Drive. The other variance will be taken by the subdivision. Through the city of Ocoee’s Neighborhood Matching Grants Program, it will build an addition of the fence within the city’s right-of-way — replacing the short wire fence there now.

Just as with the previous variance request, city staff could not approve it, while the Planning and Zoning Commission did with the stipulation that if the city requires its removal within five years, the city would cover the cost of its removal. The subdivision’s section of the fence is owned and maintained by the Roberts Rise subdivision.

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen, who represents District 2, where the property is located, said she was pleased with the new fence being put into place.

“They have an issue there,” Wilsen said. “They have an issue with people coming over the fence. When I was looking at our (photos), it looks like there are tire tracks back there. There are cars that are going back there besides people walking. … I have no problem with this.”
 

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Although the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to Ocoee’s annual Christmas parade, it doesn’t mean the city won’t be celebrating the holidays.

Throughout this month, the city’s Operation Santa will spread holiday cheer as Santa makes his way around the city with the Ocoee fire and police departments.

Along with bringing smiles, both departments also will be collecting toys for children along their routes.

“This year, we have a very interesting time because we probably have a lot of folks who are out of work, and we still want to have a lot of joy for our children in the community who may not be getting the gifts that they normally would,” Wilsen said.