Politics & Government

City Officials Provide Fence Ordinance Update

Reports says 400 fences in town are not in compliance with the city's fence ordinance.

The Royal Oak City Commission will review a report on the vision obstruction provision in the city’s fence ordinance when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

At its June 17 meeting, the Royal Oak City Commission asked city staff to look at alternatives, including parabolic mirrors, audio signals and signs, to address vision obstruction issues, after residents complained violations got out of hand.

[Read 
Don't Get Out Your Chainsaw: City to Research Fence Safety]

400 fences are not in compliance


In a memo to commissioners, City Engineer Matt Callahan and Building Official Jason Craig report that the administration’s recommendation is that "the sections of the Fence and Zoning Ordinances defining and prohibiting sight obstructions should not be modified."

Convex mirrors, beepers, alarms and signs are "not as effective or safe as a clear unobstructed view and should not be allowed as an alternative."

"It is unfortunate that these provisions have not been uniformly and consistently enforced since they were adopted. If they had, we would not have approximately 400 properties which are not in compliance with either ordinance today. This creates for us the problem of bringing these properties into compliance," reads the report.

Callahan and Craig say commissioners will have a potential problem if they choose to relax the city's standards.

"Many property owners, including almost all of those who complained about this provision at public comment, have already brought their property into compliance. If we were to now relax this provision, what do we say to those property owners who may seek compensation?" reads the report.

To read the complete report click here.


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