Campbell woman says neighbor's fence plan could block driveway, calls for city ordinance

A Campbell homeowner is raising concerns about a neighbor's alleged plans to build a fence, saying it could block her from accessing her driveway, and she's urging city leaders to take action.

Christine Caban Phillips, who has lived on Porter Avenue for 17 years, says a fence is allegedly planned so close to her driveway that it would prevent her from getting in or out of her car.

"It would impact us greatly," Phillips said, "We wouldn't be able to open our car doors to get out at all. In fact, we'd scrape our mirrors going all the way down the driveway."

She also said the fence poses a safety concern, especially if emergency services need access.

"You can't open your car doors, an ambulance can't get in, a fire truck, EMS," she said.

What complicates matters is that her neighbor's property line dips about a foot into her driveway, and Campbell currently has no residential fencing ordinances in place.

Phillips believes other homeowners in the neighborhood could be affected due to how the lots were originally plotted.

If the fence goes up, she said she won't be able to exit her car unless she pulls into the garage.

She's brought the issue up multiple times, speaking at city council meetings and contacting officials.

"Pretty much every city has ordinances to prevent this from happening," she said, "Just asking them to put an ordinance in place stating that three feet clearance prior to putting up a fence."

21 News has reached out to administrators, including city council. 

Campbell's zoning director said city council is looking into drafting a residential fencing ordinance.