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Council sends fence ordinance to planning commission after debate over 25% openness rule
Summary
Ordinance 2026-17 (fences) received first reading and was referred to the planning commission after council members debated the 25% open-area requirement, materials restrictions, and whether backyard fences should be handled administratively by the building department or remain at the ABR.
At first reading council considered Ordinance 2026‑17, which updates fence rules in the zoning code and would make many backyard fences subject to administrative approval by the building department instead of discretionary review by the ABR. The mayor said the ordinance had been adjusted and would be referred to the planning commission for their review.
Council members debated the ordinance’s 25% open requirement (the portion of a fence that must be see‑through rather than solid), with some members asking why that standard exists and others urging a more liberal approach for backyard privacy (for example, allowing solid dog‑eared fences around pools). Counsel explained that because the provision is in the zoning code it must go to the planning commission and cannot be handled solely as a building-code change. The mayor and several council members suggested the specific aesthetics and material questions (vinyl/plastic prohibitions, chain‑link concerns) will require public discussion and possible amendment after the planning commission report.
The council agreed to move the ordinance forward to the planning and zoning commission (likely July), where staff and residents can attend and comment. If the planning commission recommends changes, those revisions would return to council as an ordinance amendment.
No final changes to the 25% standard were adopted at this meeting; the planning commission will review the zoning implications and produce a report back to council.
