West Valley City’s council has moved forward with a plan to prohibit new chain-link fences everywhere in the city except industrial areas, building on an earlier rule that already bans the material along one major corridor. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at West Valley City Hall.
The push began in August, when city staff gave council members two options: ban new chain-link fencing along major arterial roads, or restrict it citywide outside of industrial zones, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The council has moved forward with the broader of the two options. That followed an ordinance the city approved in August that opened up more fencing options for property owners along 4100 South while banning chain-link there specifically.
Council members have indicated support for extending that chain-link construction ban well beyond 4100 South, and the West Valley City planning commission recommended last month that the council adopt the citywide change. Council member Lars Nordfelt said a long-term outlook for the city may justify revisiting its front-yard fence rules.
What the Proposal Would and Wouldn’t Do
The proposed ordinance would not force anyone to tear out a chain-link fence already standing. Steve Pastorik, the city’s community development director, said existing chain-link fences could remain in place and that the new restriction would apply only to new fencing going forward. The proposal would also allow homeowners and businesses to replace a damaged existing chain-link barrier rather than requiring them to switch materials…