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

[Dwight Holmes]

I appreciate all the hard work that's going into this process (would that
citizens always had such a good opportunity to hear, understand, and have
input on legislative proposals!!!) and how difficult it is to find the right
balance.

Personally, I strongly agree with those who favor more stringent control
over front fences -- let them be short and attractive -- and much less
control over side and rear fences.  In a town such as ours that has such a
wide diversity of lot sizes and types of homes -- not to mention diversity
of people! -- I think it prudent that the town adopt less stringent rules
for side and rear fences.  Be it for dogs, privacy or just good ol' personal
preference, up to 6' fences seems reasonable for those who want them.


On 10/17/06, Rob Oppenheim <rob.oppenheim at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>  *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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