Fairfield City Council hears suggested revisions to fence ordinance

FAIRFIELD — A Fairfield man presented a petition to the Fairfield City Council Monday night signed by 45 people asking the city to amend its recently passed ordinance on fencing.

Resident John Miller addressed the council to say that the council’s fencing ordinance passed in May was too strict, and that it put too many limits on the kind of fences residents could have around their gardens. Miller said that, if he and the other signers of the petition had known about the city’s ordinance earlier, they would have voiced their concerns before the city passed it on May 22.

Miller listed a number of things he and the other petitioners did not like about the new ordinance, such as that it does not allow roll-up fencing by itself to enclose a garden; that front-yard garden fences can be no higher than 3 feet; that only “earth tones” are allowed for fence color; that artwork and logos are not allowed; and that pallet enclosures are not allowed.

Miller said he spoke with council member Paul Gandy about his concerns, who informed him that he could request a variance if his fence did not meet these specifications. However, the variance would cost $250.

“We use several pallet enclosures in several places on our property. They are very neatly placed, and I don’t think they should be an issue,” Miller said.

Miller said he understood the need for some regulation of fencing, such as banning the use of tires to hold up a fence, but that the ordinance should not bar the kind of neat and orderly fences he and the other petition signers are using.

“Beauty is in the eye of the holder, not in the eye of someone living in distance cities,” Miller said, referring to the fact that council consulted fencing regulations in other towns. “Each of us assembled here this evening has created a garden according to our own appreciation of beauty. I’ve looked at many other gardens in town, 45 to be specific, and I do not see cause for concern as reflected in this ordinance.”

Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer said the ordinance does not prevent residents from having front-yard gardens, it just limits the height of their fence to 3 feet. Miller said that a 3-foot fence won’t protect the plants from deer, and that residents should be allowed to have front-yard garden fences of 6 feet.

Council member Tom Twohill said that the ordinance might seem more restrictive than it really is. For instance, he said that the ban on “bright colors” is really just to stop residents from using an orange snow fence in their front yards.

“If [your fence] looks good, they’re not going to come after you,” Twohill said. “[The ordinance] is to eliminate snow fencing and pallets used as fencing and trailers used as fencing. You can’t list everything individually, because you’re going to miss 100 things. They don’t want people using garbage as a fence.”

The council agreed to take Miller’s suggested revisions to the ordinance to the property committee for further consideration.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com