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HomeMy WebLinkAboutappendix A Nov 14 2011.pdf an ne F Village of Cayuga Heights Fence Ordinance Public Hearing, November 14, 2011 Over 350 Village residents signed a petition asking that no changes be made to the current Village Fence Ordinance. Many more would have signed if given the opportunity. It appears that this Board will ignore the view of the majority and proceed with a law antithetical to the common values of the Village. Since we will have a new ordinance allowing significantly different fencing structures in the Village I wish to make a modest proposal: The collective residents of each block,that is those parcels with common back and side property lines,would form a consensus on installing a continuous fence 25 feet back from their front property lines running all the way around the block. This could be 8 foot barb,Aire on steel posts with considerable savings in construction costs by running it from house-to- house-to-sheds-to-garages, etc. Where the fence crosses a driveway a reinforced gate operated by electric motors and sensors would enable residents to come and go without leaving their vehicles. The fences themselves could become "public art' as residents vie with one another decorating with seasonal banners, religious and patriotic displays, signage expressing political and philosophical sentiments, announcements of upcoming significant life events..........you get the drift. Having no back or side fences would effect even more construction cost savings and further the sense of community goodwill as neighbors j oin together in a grand effort to defeat the depredations of the deer. Now .....as to the deer. They will be driven out of the centers of the blocks into the streets and front lawns where a goodly number will be killed and/or maimed by traffic. The front lawn pastures will support a significantly smaller herd so even more will die from starvation and disease. The sterilization and culling program will take care of the remainder. Thank you to the Board and let us face our brave new fence-crazed Village. November 14, 2011 To the Mayor and Trustees Village of Cayuga Heights My position is unchanged; I am against the proposed Fence Ordinance. This issue has been under discussion for a long time,and you have heard the same people say the same things many times. So it may surprise you that I will now say two things that you have not heard before. The people that want property-line fencing say that the existing ordinance is unfair to Villagers who have small or irregular lots. However,you must consider the fence petition that was signed by over 350 people. That petition represents a cross-section of the Villagers,some of whom have small or irregular lots. Even though this proposed ordinance might benefit them as individuals,they are foregoing their selfish interests,and are asking you to do what is right for the Village as a whole. My second new point relates to good government The existing fence ordinance allows for a safety valve,in the guise of the Zoning Board of Appeals.Any Villager can appeal to the ZBA for relief from the present ordinance. In fact,several have done so and have been granted relief. In contrast,your proposed ordinance has eliminated the safety valve for me. If my neighbors choose to erect eight-foot high deer fences, right on my side and back property lines, I have nowhere to appeal.That is bad government. Ronald H. Bors 121 Texas Lane Ithaca, NY 14850 UPDATING THE FENCING PROPOSAL- June Silberman- 111 Warwick Place I have spoken before the Village Board in regard to being allowed to put an 8' open fence on my property line. One of my neighbors has a dog so her yard is deer free. My yard has a row of enormous pine trees at the back property line. The deer frequent the yard as a haven often sitting against the trees, munching at will and leaving behind a tremendous amount of scat. I do not want to get a dog nor do I want to cut down the trees. I want my entire family to be able to enjoy the yard including my grandson. All I want to do is put up a deer proof fence. Our neighbors in the Northeast section , I believe, do not have the same restrictions as we do in regard to fencing. Yet they, too, have a deer problem. Not all of them fence in their yards. Those who have done so have 8 foot open fences along the back and sides of their property. Some of these can be seen on Winthrop and Christopher Lane. They do not detract from the property value but enhance it as well as being mentioned as a plus when selling a home. Again, I state, that as a home owner, I pay taxes on every inch of my property, not 25 feet from the property line but up to that line. I would appreciate being able to fence in my property with the proposed 8 foot open fence along the sides and back property lines.