Planning commission directs staff to draft resolution for 24-month vinyl fencing pilot in new tracts

The Victorville Planning Commission on Sept. 10 directed staff to draft a resolution to initiate a possible 24-month pilot program permitting engineered vinyl fencing in side and rear yards within new single-family tract developments, while maintaining masonry block walls on perimeter and public-facing frontages.

Carlos Rodriguez, chief policy officer for the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Southern California, asked the commission to direct staff to bring a code amendment for a limited pilot. "This program would not eliminate block walls for new communities," Rodriguez said, and would be "a narrow, targeted code change focused on flexibility and good planning." He said the industry proposes an enhanced, reinforced vinyl product meant to withstand local conditions.

Jennifer Chung of Pacific Communities said the proposal is "not your off the shelf vinyl fence. It is engineered to meet your concerns," and described modifications including steel inserts in posts and rails, narrower panels at 6-foot spans, deeper footings and a galvanized metal barrier buried about 8 inches underground to deter digging. Tim Roberts of LGI Homes told the commission the product and economics can help affordability: "We believe that... this product will save 6 to $13,000 per home in construction cost to builders." The proponents said the product carries a 20-year material warranty.

Commissioners raised questions about the dog barrier (mesh vs. solid galvanized steel), monitoring and reporting for a short pilot, warranty limits, construction inspection, and how the pilot would apply to partially built tracts. Staff said a draft resolution could set parameters for applicability, monitoring and inspection and that the building department would verify installation details at footing inspection if those details were included in plans.

Several commissioners noted the difference between a continuous concrete footing used for masonry block walls and the proposed vinyl system's discrete post footings. Staff confirmed a typical masonry wall footing in Victorville is 12 inches deep; proponents said the galvanized barrier under the vinyl would be about 8 inches deep and could alternatively be replaced by a concrete-filled trench if desired.

Vice Chair Messon moved to direct staff to prepare a draft resolution to formally initiate the code amendment process and consider the options the commission discussed; Chair Kurth seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.

Staff said the 24-month pilot is intended as a limited test after which staff and the industry could return with monitoring results and a recommendation about making the code change permanent. Any final code change would require subsequent formal review and adoption by the commission and city council.