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Minor Exception No. 2021-01 - The Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company (dba AT&T) Front Yard Fence July 7, 2021 Page 2 1 8 6 9 DISCUSSION Project Description The subject property is a 2.91-acre lot located on the west side of Bristol Street between Alton Avenue and Garry Avenue. The applicant is proposing to install approximately 300 feet of seven-foot high wrought iron fencing, one vehicular sliding gate, and two pedestrian egress gates within the front yard (along the east property line). In addition, the applicant will be adding wrought iron on top of the existing block wall at the southeast end of the property for a total height of seven feet, removing replacing existing concrete steps with a new planter, and infilling an obsolete building door opening with brick. The proposed fence is designed to secure the property, reduce alcoves, and reduce opportunities for trespassing. The wrought iron material will allow visibility into the property as required by the Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority. Site improvements are also proposed to include: revitalizing the existing front yard planters with landscaping and repainting the front of the building (Exhibit 3 to 5). Project Background The project site contains the central communications office building for AT&T, which was constructed in 1961. For the past several years, the project site has encountered graffiti on the buildings, transient encampments, and littering. The site has been the subject of 11 Code Enforcement cases over the past two years. To address the ongoing property and building concerns, the applicant has applied for the subject minor exception to allow the construction of a seven-foot tall fence in the front yard. Project Analysis Pursuant to SAMC 41-610.5(a), front yard fences on commercial and industrial properties are limited to four feet in height in areas that extend into the required front yard or any required landscaped area. The applicant has filed an application to construct a seven-foot high front yard fence at the subject property. Staff has reviewed the applicant’s request and is supportive of the minor exception. The existing site conditions along Bristol Street consist of planters, stairs, and alcoves that have been a target for loitering, encampments, and littering. In order to prevent trespassing and protect the site, the applicant is requesting to exceed the maximum fence height and install the fence at the front property line. A four-foot high fence as required by code, would not deter the ongoing activities of trespassing, littering and graffiti. Proposed site improvements will also enhance the visual appearance of the site’s frontage. Moreover, the project is supported by General Plan Policy 1.4 of the Urban Design Element, which states development design features that prevent loitering, vandalism, graffiti, and visual deprivation