04-18-1996 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting

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• MATERIALS Chain Link vs. Wood • The ordinance (10-502) states that all fences must be chain link. We believe that the purpose of this requirement was to insure that any fence constructed would be asee-through fence as opposed to a privacy fence (not see-through). We contend that a reasonable interpretation of Section 10-502 would allow a wooden or a wrought-iron or other modern see-through fence. I would agree that a wooden fence that is a privacy fence should be disallowed The fence we have proposed is asee-through fence. We have submitted photographs to the City which cleazly show the design of the fence and how easy it is to see through the fence. Additionally, the fence we have proposed is much more attractive than a chain link fence and we believe is faz more desirable to our neighbors. If the City requires that we build a chain link fence, we will certainly abide by the City's decision. We do not believe, however, that a chain link fence is desired by anyone interested in this matter nor will set an unfavorable precedent as long as the fence constructed is see-through in design. POLICY CONSIDERATIONS Families It is nice to live on the bay. The bay front affords beautiful views, a serene setting, a place to fish, and a breath of fresh air. It should be a place where families should be able to live and enjoy a home. Unfortunately, the bay front does pose the danger of drowning to small children. This should not, however, be such an obstacle that should prevent families from living on the bay. Much of the danger of drowning can be suppressed by building a retaining fence such as we have proposed It is similar in purpose to fences that are required by the City to be constructed around swimming pools. Without such protection, it would be dill cult for airy responsible family to live on bay front property. Small children need protection. To this end, the bay front should not be exclusively reserved for people without small children. View We have taken into consideration the impact upon our neighbors of the view that our fence presems. We have provided to you a series of photographs that depict the view from numerous angles. We have made every effort to design the fence and place the fence in a location that best accommodates our neighbors views while allowing a reasonable azea for children to play outdoors. For the most part, as the photographs depict, the fence is not impeding the view of our bay front neighbors. It is see-through in design, short, and setback approximately 50 feet from the bay front. In fact, we have placed the fence in location that is far less intrusive upon our neighbors than that allowed without dispute by city ordinance. For example, the city ordinance (10-502) allows us to have side fence that extends all the way to the bay. This, obviously, would affect the view of the neighbors far more than the fence we have proposed. Finally, with respect to view, a cross fence simply does not affect or hinder anyone's view. Value Among the houses in our neighborhood on the bay front, we have constructed the largest and most expensive home on the bay. We have raised the property values of our neighbors. The fence that we are proposing will not decrease the property values of our neighbors. Keep in mind, that the city ordinances allows a chain link fence all way to the bay. We have designed a far more attractive fence that is less intrusive than the chain link fence that is allowed without dispute. In arty event, we contend that