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The recent special exception application related to
relocation of play fields at Kettle Run High School raised
an issue related to fencing of fields. The Special
Exception standards for such schools require that the fields
be fully fenced, and this standard cannot be waived by the
Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors. The Schools
did not desire to fence the fields, and the Planning
Commission questioned the purpose of the fencing
requirement.
Staff has reviewed the standards for educational uses and
also for other outdoor recreational uses, and has found that
the fencing requirement is in place only for two categories
of uses:
1. Pre-School/Day Care/Nursery Schools; and
2. Primary Schools/Secondary/Advanced Schools and
Technical Schools.
Other uses involving outdoor recreational facilities or
fields do not have a fencing requirement, although they do
typically have setback requirements of 50 to 100 feet and
screening requirements.
Given the age of the children utilizing a pre-school/day
care/nursery school recreational facility, the fencing
requirement makes sense as a protection for the children
from roadway traffic or uses on adjoining properties. It
is unclear that such protection is necessary for older
children or adults who might utilize the facilities under
#2, above. This text amendment therefore eliminates the
requirement for fencing for Secondary/Advanced Schools and
Technical Schools and allows fencing at Primary Schools to
be waived by the Board. In particular cases where the
Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors has concerns
about the location of a facility relative to a street or
another use, fencing still could be required on a
case-by-case basis as part of the special exception
approval. Staff would note that such facilities would
continue to have requirements that they be located outside
of required yards and that they be screened.
The Planning Commission initiated this text amendment at
their February 26, 2009 meeting. On March 26, 2009, after
holding a public hearing on the proposed amendment, the
Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. |