HOWLAND — Residents of Forest Hill Drive are upset over the installation of a 6-foot tall fence at the St. Mary and St. John the Beloved Coptic Orthodox Monastery Monastery on Squires Lane, but township zoning officials say the structure and its height follow zoning guidelines and is permitted.

Resident Susan Deleo of Forest Hill Drive, who spoke on behalf of six residents from the street, told trustees at their meeting Wednesday the dark-colored fence / wall at the back of the monastery property obstructs their view of the woods.

“We are concerned most with the way the fence looks and being impossible to see through. The monastery is a place of sanctuary and worship. We are not sure what the reason for the wall is,” Deleo said.

She said her mother and other residents like having a view of the “beautiful woods” behind their properties.

“We have a reasonable expectation that our property will remain looking the way it had when we moved to this location. We want to continue seeing the beauty of the area that we have had for 50 years. The wall was put in in the middle of established neighborhood,” Deleo said.

Zoning director Daniel Morgan said the monastery received approval from the zoning board of appeals for the fence, which was required to be no more than 3 feet at the front of the property on Squires Lane and no more than 6 feet at the sides or rear of the property.

He said the height of the fence met the requirements of the zoning codes and is not illegal.

Trustee Rick Clark said the monastery is following rules and officials have no authority to make them take it down.

“It is not in violation. The fence is on their property,” Clark said.

Deleo said she and other residents thought a shorter chain-link fence was planned.

Trustee Matt Vansuch said while the property is permitted for a 6-foot fence, residents can provide input to the zoning commission on possible changes down the road in zoning codes on such projects in residential areas.

Police Chief Nick Roberts said the monastery had issues with people trespassing on the property and that may be the reason for the fence.

“We have been called there a few times for trespassers. There were a few people who kept showing up there who were not wanted,” Roberts said.

No representatives from the monastery attended the meeting and could not be reached for comment after the meeting.