Photos
Proposed Change in Maximum Fence Height
At its June 21, 2012 meeting, the Skokie Plan Commission will review a Zoning chapter amendment that would increase the maximum fence height in residential side yards to five feet and would eliminate all exception permits for fences.
The Zoning ordinance currently allows for a four foot high fence with an exception to get to a height of six feet. The current Zoning ordinance also allows a property owner to obtain an exception permit for a 100% solid fence as opposed to the 50% open requirement in the Code.
The Zoning chapter amendment change is being pursued to enhance public safety in the community while still maintaining resident’s privacy in their yards. Six foot high and 100% solid fences obscure an officer’s visibility when searching for missing or confused persons or suspects in crimes. Six foot high fences also diminish the ability of officers to climb over in a foot chase or similar circumstance.
As the Zoning chapter amendment is proposed, the change would only affect future permits. All fences that have been approved by the Village of Skokie up to the change will be unaffected.
The Skokie Plan Commission meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Counsel Chambers at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street.
For more information, please contact the Community Development Department at 847/933-8447.
David Zornig
9:09 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Seems like a "live in fear" reaction, versus common sense.
Wouldn't the same 6 foot fence diminish a criminal's ability to climb over in a foot chase? Thus slowing them down? What cop CAN'T climb a 6 foot fence?
Criminals will just aim for the existing 4 foot fences.
If we were allowed to have fences in our front yards, maybe this wouldn't be an issue.
"Missing or confused persons" preceding "or suspects in crimes", is suspect in itself.
An effort to downplay the fear, while making 5 foot, non-solid fencing look like a compromise.
Skokieguy
9:58 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
Since every back yard in my area has a 6' fence (many erected without even obtaining permits), this new ordinance will permanently reduce the value of my home, since my yard will have less privacy and somewhat less security.
A "confused person" will have a hard time jumping a 6' fence than a 5', right?
And exactly what sorts of crime problems have we had related to fence height?
Don't regulate to correct a problem that doesn't exist.
Skokieguy
10:03 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
How will this impact the safety of neighbors to families with large dogs? One of the reasons some homeowners have 6' fences it to insure their larger breed dogs cannot jump a fence.
It also reduces the chance that a coyote will jump the fence and enter the yard where smaller pets (and children) can be at risk.
Adam Turetzky
2:16 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I love how this change is tabled as an enhancement to public safety but mainly accommodates police. Which is a sickening trend our entire society has been moving in.
The only considerations for property fencing should be function for the property owner and appearance for the neighbors. Not the local government who should come last when serving the citizen.
The six foot high solid fence exception is/was a requirement for permanent structure pool owners to keep children out by blocking the view that the yard contains a pool and by making it difficult for children (or anyone else) to climb into the yard and possibly drown.