Sebring (FL) bans chain-link fence in front yards

[The Straight Story]

SEBRING - Chain-link fences will not be permitted in front yards of Sebring homes and new fence, and wall height rules will go into effect if an amended fence ordinance is approved on second reading Jan. 18.

After wrestling with the ordinance for months, the council approved the document Tuesday by a 3-1 vote on first reading.

Councilwoman Margie Rhoades cast the dissenting vote. Councilman John Griffin left Tuesday's meeting early.

"It is determined that fences constructed of chain link are appropriate for backyards, but not appropriate forward of the front plane of the house," the ordinance states. "Chain-link fences forward of the front plane of the house are undesirable, unattractive and contrary to appropriate neighborhood aesthetics."

Denise Brooker, of Brooker Fence Company, spoke against the ban on chain link fencing in front yards.

"So the guy who earns $25,000 a year that wants to fence in his yard to protect his kids, his dogs, his property, is going to be told he can't do that," she said. "He can't fence in his whole yard. He's proud of his chain link fence because that's all he can afford. Now you're telling him he can't do it."

http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2011/jan/07/sebring-bans-chain-link-fence-in-front-yards/

[ncteechur]

1. Denise Brooker doesn't care about his kids or dog or house. She only cares about her own.

[Uben]

2. Some people find cookie-cutter homes attractive

You know, those developments where they give you a choice of about 8-10 floor plans, zero lot lines, and zero privacy in your yard, and restrictions on everything. I wouldn't live in one of those homes if they gave it to me. And, I don't want those who would accept those conditions as neighbors either. To be honest, I will never again live within the city limits of any town. I like the freedom of the countryside and when the sun goes down you hear nothing but nature. I don't like being told what kind of trash can I am required to have, when I can water my yard, and what I can or cannot do on city easements. You can have it!

Green acres is the place to be
Farm living is the life for me
Land spreading out,
so far and wide
Keep Manhattan,
just give me that countryside.

[MinneapolisMatt]

3. Obviously Margie doesn't understand

that you can grow nice, thick vines and flowers all over the chain link.

What a jerk.

[liberal N proud]

4. I bet putting up a clothes line in the front yard would really piss them off

:rofl:

[SoCalDem]

6. or a rusted washing machine

[liberal N proud]

7. Car on blocks

[Zephie]

5. Glad I don't live there, my dog would be dead!

My dog can plow through tall wooden fences and jump over short ones. We learned this the hard way when we thought a 6 foot wood fence would stop her... Nope, she just walked right through it and left a hole about her size and half over again. She's like a mac-truck. And now she's figured out that that's too much effort and has even learned to jump THAT fence, after we upgraded it from a 4 foot one. Wood fences are a no no now.

Some dogs don't like being penned in.

[NV Whino]

8. So, deer or rabbit fencing is okay?

Just asking'.

[Angry Dragon]

9. How about chicken wire with some real live chickens??

[david13]

10. This is hardly the only community in the usa that has aesthetic

restrictions. Check it out, there may be various restrictions thru out the usa on about 10,000 other items on your property as well.
dc

[MineralMan]

11. That's why I like living in my blue-collar neighborhood in

St. Paul. Most people don't bother with fences at all, so the kids use their backyards and their neighbor's backyards as their playground. However, if you want to put up a chain-link fence, nobody will care, one way or another. There's not a house on my block that has a front fence. Those are considered unneighborly.

[jberryhill]

12. It seems to be a regional thing...

In parts of the US with Spanish heritage it seems that putting a fence or wall around the entire property is more common than in, say, the northeast and upper midwest.

I try to stick to the traditional two sets of concertina wire with a run in between for the dobermans.

[murray hill farm]

13. Well...I don't know if chain link fence is cheaper.

I think it probably is not..since I have a large chain link dog yard for my two dogs and it was very, very expensive. Plus..IMO chain link fence is just plain ugly as residential fencing....most especially in a front yard. Gives it that prison look...to separate the front yard from the world and not just to keep those in who are in the fenced area. Maybe keep the dogs in the back yard and if one feels the need for a front yard fence...make it something less restrictive to openness with the neighborhood. A chain link fence will not keep out the bugler, but it does send a message to neighbors and kids to stay off my property, my grass...and don't come visiting ever. A picket fence or a split rail fence sends a whole different message...and will encourage rather than prohibit connection with ones neighborhood if one feels the need to mark their territory.

[MadHound]

14. What a bunch of idiots,

Not only is the whole chain link fencing issue plain stupid, you can't have a fence more than six feet high in your back yard. So much for privacy fences and such. Worse, there are several breeds of dogs who can fly over a six foot fence.

This is just more city stupidity. Thankfully I live in the country.