Updated fencing regulations approved

Chain links allowed in all cases

MOSES LAKE — New homes in the city of Moses Lake will keep their chain link fences, despite a last jab by two city council members concerned about the aesthetics of the cyclone fencing.

The final passage of new codes regulating fencing were approved during the council's regular meeting Tuesday night. Their passage, part of a larger overhaul of the city's residential fencing codes, means new homeowners will still be allowed to install chain link fences in their front yard, or anywhere else. The debate over chain link fencing followed along similar lines as it did two weeks ago, when the council took up the issue during a two-hour study session with the city's planning commission.

The new ordinance is designed to tighten regulations and provide more teeth to enforcement of dilapidated fences within the city limits. Changes predominantly impact housing lots in which the back yard borders major arterial streets. The plans require landscaping on the street-side of those fences to be maintained by property owners; a homeowners association would be required to maintain sidewalk-side landscaping for new developments bordering major streets.

The requirements only apply to new residential construction within the city limits, but city building officials could require replacement of a fence if more than one quarter of it is in disrepair.

Mayor Ron Covey again sought to pass the planning commission recommendation, which would have prohibited the chain link fencing in future front yards, citing the suggestion of developer Roger Brooks who has been contracted by the city to help create an economic development and tourism lure for Moses Lake.

"I still will support the position that it's inappropriate in the front yard," Covey told council members, seeking an amendment to the ordinance which would have the chain link prohibitions re-added.

The city's planning commission had recommended the changes, including language prohibiting chain link fences in residential front yards and other areas visible from city streets. That plan allowed chain link fences to go up in back and side yards, unless those back yards abut city streets. Majority council members voted to remove the chain link prohibitions at their last meeting.

"I don't have any hang ups with chain link fences per se, I think we should take the position of DDI," Covey said referring to Brooks' company Destination Development.

But after hearing concerns from city residents, and having concerns of their own, majority council members voted to allow all front yards to allow the fencing.

"I understand we have Roger Brooks," Councilman Bill Ecret said. "It doesn't necessarily mean we have to agree with everything he said, and I don't think we will."

Councilman Richard Pearce agreed, echoing the sentiment of majority council members. He said he thought older chain link fences looked nicer than older fences made out of any other material.

"I think prohibiting those chain links is something we don't want to do," Pearce told the council. "I think it restricts our community too much."

Covey and Councilman Jim Liebrecht were the lone supporters of an amendment which attempted to add the chain link restriction. Following a failed 2-4 vote on that amendment, the council voted 5-0 to pass the new fencing regulations allowing the chain links. Covey abstained from that vote. Councilman Jon Lane was absent from Tuesday's meeting.