Board of Adjustment Approves Reduced-Height Fence and Gate for Mara and Adam Glick at 169 Forest Avenue

Glen Ridge's Board of Adjustment on April 20, 2023 heard an application from Mara and Adam Glick of 169 Forest Avenue for a six-foot fence along Outlook Place -- a five-foot solid wood fence topped with a foot of lattice -- plus six-foot stone piers for a vehicle gate at the driveway. Mara Glick testified the property's existing fence stood 4 feet, 10 inches at its highest point with no permit on file, and that mature trees planted around 2009 no longer provided the screening they once did. Mr. Johnson raised concerns about pedestrian visibility and safety along Outlook Place given a solid wood fence, noting he had similar concerns about a fence application on another property across from Outlook Place; Mara Glick said solar lights hung in the trees currently light the adjacent sidewalk. Adam Glick testified the fence would improve the couple's privacy and noted Outlook Place sees heavy pedestrian traffic as a route between Bay Avenue and the surrounding streets.

After discussion of the town's pool-enclosure requirements and comparisons to fence heights elsewhere on the block, the Glicks agreed to reduce the fence to a total of five feet -- four feet of solid wood topped with one foot of lattice. The board unanimously approved the application on that basis, with five conditions: a five-foot maximum height for the fence, gate, and piers; the fence must sit on the Glicks' property, not the public right-of-way; the vehicle gate piers require separate Historic Preservation Commission review; the gate and arbors must remain closed and locked at all times; and the lattice must allow at least 50 percent visibility through it. No members of the public commented. The board also adopted its January 12, 2023 minutes, with Mr. Scott abstaining.