Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hemet council permits high‑quality chain‑link fencing in commercial‑manufacturing zone
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance amendment to allow vinyl‑ or powder‑coated chain‑link fencing in the commercial‑manufacturing zone, subject to administrative review and restrictions on decorative additions and screening visible from rights of way. The vote was 5–0.
The Hemet City Council unanimously adopted an amendment to the zoning code on May 13 to allow high‑quality chain‑link fencing in the city’s commercial‑manufacturing zone, reversing an earlier blanket prohibition in the Hemet Municipal Code.
Deputy Director of Community Development Emery Papp told the council the amendment would respond to theft and vandalism concerns on large commercial and industrial lots and would allow vinyl‑coated or powder‑coated chain link with limited decorative elements. The change applies only to properties in the commercial‑manufacturing zone and is subject to administrative review and conditions of approval.
Papp noted the Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance on April 15 and recommended approval with two additional provisions: privacy or shade cloth is not to be treated as permanent decorative screening except for temporary construction fencing, and wood, plastic or slat materials visible from the public right of way should be restricted.
Councilmembers asked how enforcement and maintenance would work. Papp said code enforcement would monitor visible violations during routine patrols and staff would enforce conditions of approval associated with site plans or entitlements. "If the construction of a chain link fence were part of an approved development plan, site plan review, or any other entitlement project, they would be required by the conditions of approval to maintain those fences, and we could act upon that, at any time," Papp said.
Councilmember Connie Clark moved adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Mills. The roll call vote was unanimous: Clark, Krupa, Lodge, Mayles and Mayor Jackie Peterson voted yes. The motion passed 5–0.
The ordinance adds a new subsection to Hemet Municipal Code Section 90‑8 95, narrowly limits use to the commercial‑manufacturing zone and explicitly excludes privacy cloth and visible slat material as acceptable permanent screening. The item was found exempt from CEQA under the "common sense" rule because it is a policy text amendment and not a construction project.
Council directed staff to implement administrative review procedures and to ensure the new standards are included in future site plan and entitlement conditions of approval.
