Council pauses Rohrer Park rezoning, directs staff to allow front-yard fences in RH zones and draft chicken-permit language

Riverside City Council spent much of its Feb. 2 meeting debating proposed changes in the draft land-use code focused on Rohrer Park, front-yard fences and backyard poultry. Staff opened the discussion by reminding council that the comprehensive plan identified the Rohrer Park area as a possible redevelopment focus but that no specific developer had come forward.

Law Director clarified a legal question about the park's deed: "We were able to work with the county commissioners to have that reversionary clause released, so it's null and void," the Law Director said, explaining the city now owns the park in fee simple without the prior reversion restriction.

Council voiced strong neighborhood-protection concerns: several members said they did not want businesses or uses inappropriate for children immediately adjacent to the park, while others stressed the value of activity at parks to keep them safe. On fences, council reached a clear direction: Councilmember Freda Patterson moved, and Ms. Fry seconded, a directive that staff amend the proposed code so that front-yard fences (including chain link up to 4 feet) are a permitted use by right in RH (higher-density residential) zoning districts, with normal permit requirements and unobstructed chain link permitted on corner lots for visibility. The motion passed and staff will craft the legal language for the code rewrite.

Backyard poultry prompted a longer, split debate. Councilmember Patterson initially moved to adopt draft language she had circulated but later rescinded that motion as discussion continued. Council members raised two recurring concerns: (1) whether city ordinances should override private deed covenants or HOAs (the Law Director explained city ordinances are government rules while deed restrictions are private and may require private legal remedies), and (2) the potential for small-scale agriculture to create neighbor disputes. Council settled on directing staff to develop a permitting approach for urban agriculture that would include a required deed/covenant check (applicant-provided), permit limits, and health-and-safety standards; staff will return with proposed code language and permit procedures at the next meeting.

Why it matters: The direction on fences will change what materials and fence placement homeowners in RH zones can install without variances. The permit approach for chickens aims to allow limited urban agriculture while protecting neighbors in areas governed by deed restrictions or HOAs. Staff emphasized these are code amendments that will return to council for formal consideration and vote.

Ending: Council pinned the broader Rohrer Park rezoning question for later while asking staff to pursue deed-protection options and to draft the precise code language for fences and the urban-agriculture permit program.