My husband and I are attempting to get a fence height variance from the city of Birmingham to build a fence around our property for increased privacy and safety as well as to stop littering, parking and loitering, excessive sign posting, trespassing, etc. 

After our neighborhood voted yes on this project, a few members of our neighborhood started spreading baseless rumors about how we do not own the property, how the fence will obstruct line of sight at the corner, how an aluminum fence will decrease the neighborhood's property values, etc. 

This project was approved by the Birmingham DOT as it will not obstruct line of sight or have any impact on driver safety. Our district's councilman requested that we put a neighborhood sign on the corner outside of our fence, which we agreed to do. 

The plan is to have a 6' aluminum privacy fence in our backyard and side yard with a transition to a non-opaque aluminum fence that will start at 6' and turn to 4' in our actual front yard. The reason we need a variance from the city is because we live on a corner lot, and while 6'-8' fences are allowed in side yards and backyards elsewhere in the city, they are not allowed in our side yard because the city considers all sides of our yard a "front yard." We plan to add landscaping to make the fence and the neighborhood entrance more aesthetically pleasing.

Aluminum is the material we have chosen because it is more durable, longer lasting, and lower maintenance than wood. 

Increasing the safety and privacy of my family is my top priority, and I do not believe neighborhood members in a neighborhood without an HOA should have the power to decide what I do on my private property. Our direct neighbors are in full support of our project. 

Please sign this petition if you agree that our fence project should not be halted by disgruntled neighbors. 

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