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Council advances ordinance allowing 8'foot deer fences in rear yards amid equity concerns
Summary
The council introduced an ordinance to permit 8-foot deer fences in rear yards to address deer and Lyme-disease concerns, prompting debate about cost, neighborhood appearance and whether fencing merely displaces deer to other neighborhoods.
The Englewood City Council introduced ordinance 25-04 to supplement the zoning code to permit 8'foot deer fences in rear yards made of specified materials (black polypropylene or metal core covered with black polypropylene). Proponents said the measure is a public'health response to deer-related hazards and Lyme disease; opponents raised equity and aesthetic concerns.
Council members who supported the ordinance framed it as a public'health step that can reduce deer attraction to backyards and lower disease risk. Council members and residents who opposed or questioned the measure said the 8'foot height could be unaffordable for some households, may be visually unsightly where homeowners improvise to reach the limit, and could push deer into other, denser neighborhoods.
Enforcement questions included permit requirements, signage and whether enforcement will begin with a time'limited warning period. The council discussed using signage, the town marquee and time'stamped warnings before issuing citations. Several council members urged code enforcement and plaintiff remedies for noncompliant structures.
The council advanced the ordinance to public hearing (scheduled Feb. 4) after discussion and roll call; recorded votes showed multiple yes votes with two no votes recorded during the meeting.
Quote: "This is a health concern... I think it's a step in the right direction because we haven't had any effective deer control," a council member said in support. An opponent said, "My thing is just want transparency with my constituents... that's the only problem," voicing concern about public notice and the ordinance's neighborhood effects.
What's next: The ordinance will be subject to public hearing on Feb. 4; further refinements to materials, permit process and any grant or subsidy options for low'income homeowners were discussed but not decided at the meeting.
