Stanton council approves temporary security-fence program for commercial properties

Stanton — The Stanton City Council on a 3–0 vote with two abstentions approved a temporary security-fence program allowing specially conditioned fencing within commercial front setbacks to help vacant or vulnerable properties secure themselves while owners seek tenants or redevelopment.

Staff told the council the code review began after the board requested options to let commercial property owners better secure vacant or underutilized properties. Crystal, community development director, told the council that current rules allow a maximum fence height of 42 inches within the five-foot front setback and six feet elsewhere, and that the proposed temporary program would permit up to six-foot decorative (wrought-iron/tubular) fencing within the setback for eligible properties when accompanied by a permitting process.

Council members debated eligibility, aesthetics and enforcement. Crystal said the temporary fences would be allowed “for up to 1 year while the property owner attempts to occupy or redevelop the property,” with a single six-month extension available for applicants who show progress such as letters of intent or building permits. She also described a planned escalating penalty schedule for noncompliance (notice of violation, $200 citation, $500 citation, then $1,000 weekly plus public-nuisance designation) if an approved temporary fence is not removed when conditions require.

Several council members pushed to broaden eligibility so owners could act proactively instead of waiting for multiple vandalism incidents. Councilmember Barrios moved staff’s proposal as written and later amended it. The council adopted an amendment replacing the draft requirement that an eligible property must have experienced “two or more incidents of vandalism” with an “or” formulation that expands the eligibility categories. The council also approved a substitute amendment to make the maximum allowable duration 18 months measured from the date a building permit for the temporary fencing is issued (so the clock starts at permit issuance). The motion to approve the program as amended was made by Councilmember Barrios and seconded by Mayor Schauffer; the roll call vote recorded three yes votes (Warren, Barrios, Schauffer) and two abstentions (Taylor, Torres), and the motion passed.

Staff said the program would require a building permit prior to installation, would be administered through the Community Development Department, and that if council keeps the temporary option staff will bring implementing ordinance language to the planning commission for a public hearing before returning to the council. Staff also flagged that changing eligibility to broaden access will increase the number of properties that may apply and that permanent removal of setbacks would require further study of sight-line, traffic-visibility and landscaping requirements.

Council discussion also touched on related tools: staff reminded the council that a separate vacant-parcel ordinance is in the work plan that would give the city additional enforcement tools for long-term vacancies. Several council members said penalties should only apply if a property fails to open or refuses to remove the temporary fence after the approved period. Others emphasized aesthetics, proposing required landscape screening or ivy while staff cautioned that mandated climbing plants could create traffic sight-line issues and would require additional design review.

The ordinance as amended requires: (1) a building permit before installation; (2) temporary fences limited to wrought-iron/tubular style or equivalent with visibility above 42 inches if a solid component is used; (3) a 12-month initial allowance with a single 6-month extension available (council action established 18 months measured from permit issuance in the final motion); (4) an escalating penalty schedule for failure to remove approved temporary fencing after the approved time; and (5) administrative authority for the community development director to manage the permit process and conditions. The council directed staff to proceed with the public‑hearing and ordinance process for the amended program.