Greenville Planning Board approves fence ordinance
GREENVILLE — Since receiving requests from residents to help avoid potential conflicts between neighbors concerning fence issues, the Greenville Planning Board has been working on a fence ordinance for the community. Board members have looked at other ordinances from around the state and these suggestions have been incorporated into drafts of the ordinance, which would be the first of its kind for Greenville.
A fence ordinance was approved by the planning board during a special meeting on April 24, in order to be brought to the select board on Wednesday, May 1 to meet a timeline for the document to be placed on the ballot for the June 3 annual town meeting.
“The next time the select board meets, the select board has to approve putting the proposed ordinance on the ballot on June 3, is May 1 and our next meeting will be on May 1,” Planning Board Chair John Contreni said. “So I thought it prudent we try to back up a little bit and finish the proposed ordinance this evening and approve it hopefully and then I will draft a warrant article for the approval of the select board.”
The document approved by the planning board states the purpose of the ordinance is to provide regulations for fence installation and maintenance while allowing property owners the ability to install fences for aesthetic, screening, separating, or security purposes. The proposed ordinance is intended to advance public safety, maintain and protect property values, enhance the town’s appearance, and visually unify Greenville and its neighborhoods.
The language says that fences are all held to a general standard, regardless of which zone district the barrier is in.
General regulations include permits written by the code enforcement officer are required for fence additions or alterations, property owners are responsible for knowing the exact property lines as determined by survey, fences cannot be in the right of way or on another’s property, the dividers cannot adversely affect traffic visibility on a street corner or a neighbor’s view while exiting a driveway.
The ordinance says fences cannot be more than 8 feet high without special permission, these need to meet setback and right of way regulations, and cannot interfere with fire hydrants. Fences not currently in compliance cannot be moved or replaced without going through the permitting process.
Contreni has previously told the select board the Greenville fence ordinance is built on Maine statute.