Subject:
Title
ALLOWABLE FENCE HEIGHTS
Body
PURPOSE:
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON REQUESTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE TOWN’S REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO FENCE HEIGHTS, INCLUDING WHETHER TO CONSIDER RAISING ALLOWABLE HEIGHTS.
KEY QUESTIONS:
1. Would the Town Council like to consider allowing some fences to be higher than 6 feet within the Town of Vienna, and what standards would apply for those fences?
2. Would the Council like to consider amendments to the code sections related to “yards” and “setbacks” as they relate to fences?
3. Would the Council like to consider allowing certain features of fences to exceed the maximum fence heights?
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
For quite a few years, some members of the community have approached Town Council members and staff to ask whether there would be consideration of raising the maximum fence heights, as codified. There was some discussion of this matter during the Code Create process, and, later, to clarify certain elements and definitions of how fences are regulated. Still, members of the public continue to ask about this matter, with particular focus on preventing deer from entering their yards and for enhancing privacy.
OVERVIEW:
Council Member Anderson asked for this discussion to be held during a work session and he will have the opportunity to explain what his interest(s) is in this matter.
In addition, staff have been intending to raise a series of issues related to fence heights. Staff have not been intending to propose raising allowable fence heights, but to discuss some discrepancies in definitions and some seemingly unintended results of the current code. Staff have intended to recommend clarifications, to ensure that the code is logical and reflect the intent of the Town Council.
Both areas will be discussed at this work session.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
Attachment 01 is the Staff Memorandum, which provides background and more detail on the topic.
Staff look forward to the Town Council beginnin...
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