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Allegan council schedules second reading and public hearing Oct. 13 for fence ordinance rewrite
Summary
Council held the first reading of Ordinance 5-31, which restores and updates fence rules governing placement, materials and height; staff and council discussed temporary fencing and retaining-wall language and set a second reading and public hearing for Oct. 13, 2025.
City staff presented Ordinance 5-31 Monday as a full rewrite to restore fence regulations into the city zoning code and asked council to schedule a second reading and public hearing. "This is a complete overall and rewrite," staff said, describing a two-year planning commission process that produced the draft language.
The ordinance regulates placement, composition and height of fences in Allegan; staff told council the packet language mirrors the prior ordinance. "This is a first reading," staff said, and the council voted to schedule a second reading and public hearing for Oct. 13, 2025.
Council members asked whether the draft handles temporary or freestanding 'construction-style' fences that are not inset into the ground. Staff cited section language requiring fences to be "properly maintained" and listed permitted materials — "brick, stone, vinyl, wood, metal, or wire" — and said they would follow up with the zoning administrator to confirm whether additional wording is needed on temporary or freestanding fencing.
Council also raised the presence of a retaining-wall reference in subsection D and whether the rule could unintentionally limit necessary retaining walls on hilly lots; staff agreed to review that language with planning staff before the Oct. 13 hearing.
Next steps: the council will hold the public hearing and consider adoption of Ordinance 5-31 at its Oct. 13 meeting after receiving any public comment and staff revisions.
