Overview: During the December 24, 2025, meeting of the Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment, the board denied a variance request to increase the height of a privacy fence on York Avenue South, citing public safety concerns related to sightlines for vehicles and pedestrians. The applicant, Patrick Harden, sought to raise the fence height in the corner side yard from the allowed four feet to six feet, arguing that the change was essential for privacy and noise reduction. Despite the applicant’s assertion that the fence would not impede visibility due to the previously existing seven-foot hedge . . .