Portola Valley: Town ready to update fence regulations Portola Valley: Town ready to update fence regulations (October 19, 2005)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

It's taken close to 15 years, but Portola Valley appears ready to update its regulations on fences.

On October 12, the Town Council opened a hearing on a set of complex rules for new fences endorsed by the Planning Commission last summer after literally years of debate.

The proposed ordinance would require permits for most new fences, except very small ones. It breaks down the rules into three size categories: small lots of less than one acre; one-acre lots; and lots of two acres or more.

Front-yard fences would have to be 4 feet or less in height, while side- and rear-yard fences could be 6 feet. Permitted locations of fences are spelled out for each size class.

The ordinance also distinguishes between horse fences and domestic fences, but it prohibits solid fences. To preserve a sense of openness, the proposed rules would require all fences to be less than 50 percent opaque.

Where fence questions are complex or controversial, they would be reviewed by the Architectural and Site Control Commission (ASCC).

The ordinance is needed to keep Portola Valley open and rural-looking, and to discourage Atherton-like high barrier fences, said Mayor Ed Davis. "As new generations come, they tend to build barrier fences."

The council made two minor changes in the proposed ordinance involving a new definition and establishing a time frame to review fence permits.

As a result, the proposed fence ordinance will have two more public hearings before it is adopted.

Anyone interested in adding their comments about fences will have a chance at the next council meeting, set for Wednesday, October 26, at 8 p.m. in the Historic Schoolhouse.

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