[RP TownTalk] Fences - the tall and the short of it

[Rob Oppenheim]

Fence Meeting Status

The fence meeting on Monday 10/16 went well and will be 
continued next week, probably on Thr Oct 26 at 8 pm although
the date and time is not yet firmly set (It might get switched
to Tuesday Oct 24.)
 
We have not finished discussing fences and have not yet 
discussed hedges.

Two people have spoken strongly against allowing tall side yard 
fences and no one has yet spoken (at the meeting) in favor of 
allowing them. So the likely outcome will be to limit side yard 
fences to 4 feet and rear yard fences to 6 feet. 

I will try to find the time tomorrow to summarize other discussions
from the fence meeting. Here is the tall vs short fence summary.

Arguments for banning tall fences run along these lines
1) Less Friendly -- tall fences inhibit over-the-fence conversations.
2) Aesthetics -- tall fences are ugly and block open views.

1) Friendliness vs Privacy

I love saying hello to my neighbors over the rear fence. (I have great 
neighbors). And I would certainly not want a privacy fence around any 
part of my yard. 
 
For others, their home is their castle and they want to be left alone in 
a private comfortable setting. Away from what they view as prying eyes. 
A privacy fence is important to their comfort.
 
So how do we legislative between people who love open friendly 
neighborhoods and those who prefer more private settings? 

My feelings are:
The front yard has the greatest impact on all, so I am OK with requiring
shorter open fences in the front yards. (Actually, I would prefer no front
yard fences at all, but so far, that has not caught on here in RP).

For the side and rear yards, I lean toward respecting property rights 
and allowing the owner to choose between open and private yards. 

Your views on this need to be heard!
 
2) Aesthetics 

There are some very attractive tall fences and some pretty ugly ones 
too and some house styles do not lend themselves to tall side fences 
at all, but is that a good reason to outlaw such fences for all homes? 
 
Legislating aesthetics is always problematic as people have different 
views on what is or is not aesthetic. The proposed fence code requires
rot resistant materials be used, so at least one source of the uglies 
would be eliminated. 

-Rob
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