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Board allows fence variance for Northern Natural Gas with no-barb-wire and landscaping condition
Summary
Sheldon City’s Board of Adjustment approved a height and angle variance for a perimeter fence at a Northern Natural Gas facility, requiring the company to landscape and maintain the fence and prohibiting barbed wire on city property sides.
The Sheldon City Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a height and angle variance for a fence at the Northern Natural Gas facility, conditioned on landscaping, maintenance and a prohibition on barbed wire within city limits.
David Kimmel, representing Northern Natural Gas, told the board the company proposes a six-foot chain-link fence with smaller mesh and without barbed wire. He said the company would powder-coat fence elements black, remove existing worn plantings and install low-maintenance shrubs to screen and improve the site.
Kimmel explained the safety rationale for visibility through the fence: "It's a security reason. It's just like your public pool. You got a six foot chain length fence. Got to be able to see through that." Board members and staff also described federal pipeline requirements that influence acceptable fencing and signage; the board acknowledged the company must meet higher-level regulations where applicable but rejected barbed wire for the city-facing perimeter.
Staff noted the pipeline/regulator site predates nearby housing (a 1957 warranty deed to Northern Natural Gas was mentioned) and residents raised concerns about the odor from the site. Kimmel explained the odorant is intentionally added to gas so leaks can be detected: "that odorizer is going to save somebody's life if they have a leak in their house because it's going to smell rotten eggs."
One staff member and a resident urged consideration of the park that sits north of the site and asked whether that side of the fence could be solid for visual separation; the board and Kimmel agreed to landscape three sides and maintain sightlines required by safety regulations. The board specifically recorded that the city requires no barbed wire on the fence.
A motion to approve the variance with conditions for angle, height, landscaping and maintenance, and the city prohibition on barbed wire passed by unanimous roll call.
The company will proceed with the fence replacement subject to the board’s recorded conditions and the firm’s obligation to comply with federal pipeline safety regulations where they apply.
