A public hearing was held Tuesday night concerning several changes to the zoning ordinance.
Several residents in the L-1 Lake Residential District asked about the change that discusses fencing. The proposed amendment states that no fence shall exceed five feet in height and shall have a minimum of 50 percent of its surface open to permit visibility. A fence or wall not more than seven feet in height may be constructed in the side yard. Within the rear yard setback of the L-1 Lake Residential District, no fence shall exceed five feet in height and shall have a minimum of 50 percent of its surface open to permit visibility.
Existing fencing will not need to be changed, but any new construction or installation of new fencing will have to go by the new provisions, if ultimately approved.
One resident asked why fencing was an issue. Town Manager Jonathan Leist said the town was attempting to match its ordinance with that of the county and bring the lake and town regulations together. Leist explained that around the lake it is often times hard to see around tall fencing in order to safely enter the flow of traffic.
Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe added that over the past few years a committee has been updating the town’s ordinances to bring them in line with the county and update regulations that make better sense to current operations.
Following the public hearing, the council members unanimously voted in favor of approving the zoning ordinance amendment on the first reading.
