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Should officials with the Town of Farmville decide where fences are allowed and how tall they can be? That’s the question council members will be asked to answer during their meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 14. A public hearing is scheduled for a proposed change in the town’s ordinances, which would regulate fences in more detail for the first time. 

The proposed change stems from a situation earlier this year on Longwood Avenue, where a resident built a privacy fence that stretched all the way from the rear of the yard to within the town’s right of way. That made it harder for one of the person’s neighbors, who could no longer see traffic from that direction as they pulled in or out of their driveway. When it was brought up to town officials, the staff found there really was no ordinance in place right now regarding fences. After the planning commission went back and forth on the issue this summer, they put together a proposed ordinance which now goes before council for consideration. 

What does the ordinance say? 

First off, the ordinance says no fence shall be built without getting a permit in writing from Farmville Town Administrator Dr. Scott Davis. No permit means no fence. Second, the fence can’t block the vision of any driver or pedestrian who is walking down the street. All neighbors have to be able to see oncoming traffic as they pull in or drive out of their driveway. Third, the ordinance sets the maximum height of any fence at eight feet in the side or rear yard. Fences in front of “the building line” could only be four feet high if this is approved. What is the building line, you ask? The ordinance says the building line “shall be the established front yard setback for the district or the actual setback of the primary building wall.” Finally, finished sides of any fence would be required to face the street or adjoining properties. 

Some of those pieces haven’t gone over so well with residents. During their Wednesday, Aug. 6 work session, council member John Hardy said people have told him they feel it’s a bit of an overreach. 

“This is what’s been said to me, keep it at the very minimum where it does not impede traffic, pedestrians or anything like that,” Hardy said. “But putting limits on people’s fence heights and the way the finish has to be and things like that, is getting a little bit restrictive on people’s property.” 

Hardy acknowledged that fences that block the neighbors’ view of oncoming traffic is a problem, but he didn’t see why the ordinance needed to go beyond that.  

“Let’s fix that problem and that problem alone,” Hardy said. “Why do we need to add a whole lot more that could generate even more problems in the future?”

Council member Sallie Amos echoed his concerns, saying they should just address the existing problem. 

“I don’t want the height restrictions at all,” Amos said. “I just want it to be that it does not impair vehicular or pedestrian travel.” 

Farmville council split

Davis warned the council that if the height restrictions aren’t put in the ordinance, there would be nothing preventing a resident from buying and putting up a 10 ft. fence in front of their house. 

“Let them do it,” Amos said. “I think government’s getting involved in people’s rights here. I don’t want to impede on people’s rights, on what they want to do on their own property.” 

Council member Donald Hunter, meanwhile, agreed with Davis, pointing out that the planning commission looked at the issue this summer before drafting this ordinance. 

“I think the planning commission has gone through this and took their time to send it to us,” Hunter said. “I don’t think they willy nilly did it. This problem when it started was the height of the fence. I think we need to leave it like it is and go off their recommendation.” 

A hearing on the ordinance will be held this Wednesday. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers at 116 N. Main Street in Farmville.