Board approves two residential encroachment agreements; owners warned fences sit in utility easements

The Columbia City Board of Works and Safety unanimously approved two encroachment agreements on May 13 for residential fence installations at 642 North Long Ridge Road and 261 West Bay Bridge Court.

At 642 North Long Ridge Road, homeowner Christian Rodriguez told the board he planned a fence that would extend to the rear property line and noted there are no apparent water or sewer lines at the back of the lot. City staff warned that the proposed fence would cross a 28-foot utility and drainage easement, and they told Rodriguez that if a utility needed access in the future the owner would be responsible for removing and replacing the fence.

At 261 West Bay Bridge Court, resident Leonard Roberts said a fence already exists on the property and that the previous owner's fence sits on his parcel; Roberts requested approval to formalize his fence location. Staff said a sewer line likely runs in the rear and reiterated the same easement caveat: planned utility work would be preceded by notice when possible, but in an emergency utilities could access the easement and the owner would be responsible for repair.

Staff and board members discussed that other nearby properties have similar fences close to the easement and that, in general, the city seeks to notify owners before non-emergency work. The transcript records a reference to Northeastern RMC as a possible party that might work in the easement area.

Both encroachment agreements were moved, seconded and approved unanimously during the meeting.

The board said it would get signed paperwork to the county planning department after approvals. The agreements, as described in the public meeting, place responsibility on the property owners to remove and replace fences if utility work within the easement requires it.