Residents say new concrete wall blinds neighbors, urge review of fence rules

Several residents told the Alpine City Council during public comment that a newly constructed concrete barrier adjoining multiple properties has destroyed views and privacy and should prompt the city to tighten fence standards.

"Our neighbor built a freeway fence' not a fence. It's a cement wall on seven adjacent sides to other neighbors," said Linda Black, who gave her address and urged the council to revise ordinances so affected homeowners are notified and protected. Rick Black, who said he has lived in Alpine for 39 years, described the wall as "a prison wall in your backyard" and said the structure appeared without prior notice to surrounding homeowners.

Other neighbors, including Arlen Brewer, described the wall as as much as 9 to 10 feet tall at points because of grading differences and said the structure appeared to violate the character the neighborhood expects. "I plead with you to please find it so our other people don't suffer the way we are," Brewer said.

Speakers asked the council for both short-term relief for affected households — such as city permission for privacy screening, a city-built wall segment, or targeted traffic-calming near Box Elder Way — and longer-term code changes to require neighbor notification or stricter height/setback limits on retaining walls and privacy barriers.

Council members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to review existing code language and permit processes. Councilmember Andrew Young and others said they will collect written details from the residents and direct staff to research options for variances, noise abatement, and code amendments. The council did not take a formal vote on revisions at the meeting and asked residents to provide specific addresses and documentation for staff follow-up.