Hightower Road fence height variance in Girdwood

At a glance

Nov 2: Resolution 2026-052 (fence-height variance) was on the Commission's consent agenda on November 2, probably the written findings for this case (inferred; outcome not recorded).
What: Case 2026-0093. A Girdwood homeowner on Hightower Road asked for a design variance to build an 8-foot fence in the front setback, where the limit is 42 inches (3.5 feet), an increase of 4.5 feet.
Outcome: the the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the variance on Oct 19 (no public testimony; vote count not audible in the captions), subject to staff conditions 1 and 3 with a reference to Girdwood regulations.
What's next: the written findings of fact; a party of interest could appeal within 20 days of that decision.

The applicant, Douglas Mennish (name as captioned), cited headlight intrusion, road noise and privacy, a roughly 2-foot grade difference from the road, and traffic expected to rise because Hightower Road is the only access to the planned Holden Hills development (name as captioned). The fence is 9-foot T1-11 siding rotated horizontally to match the house, on private property, set near the front line.
Staff found all eight variance standards met (F and H not applicable). A survey-based clear-vision diagram, handed in as a supplement, satisfied Municipality traffic staff that sight lines at the road and the bike path are preserved even with the fence at the property line. 246 notices were mailed; two written comments were received; the Girdwood Board of Supervisors did not comment.
Staff corrected the application page, which said 6 feet (the request is 8), and a report line naming the wrong commission. After a question from Jared Gardner about which Girdwood code section applies, staff confirmed that the zone (GC-6) counts as commercial, so the variance is from 42 inches to 96 inches.

Edith McKee moved approval and noted the sight-distance drawing; Jeff Ron asked about fence location and window orientation and said for the record that criterion B was at best partly met and that he thinks of Girdwood as open space and trails, but would still support it.

About 23 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-19 - Planning and Zoning Commission	23

Resolution 2026-052 was on the consent agenda, which was approved with no items pulled.
2026-10-19 - 2026-10-19 - Planning and Zoning Commission: variance approved with conditions 1 and 3 after staff corrections; no public testimony.
2026-11-02 - 2026-11-02 - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting: Resolution 2026-052 (fence-height variance) on the consent agenda, likely the findings of fact for this variance (inferred).