The Independence City Council voted on Monday to begin amending some of the city’s fence regulations.
Specifically, the proposed regulations would allow fences in yards over three acres in size along collector and arterial roads in certain city zones. Fences in such areas could have a maximum height of 5 feet and must be made of allowable ornamental materials: wrought iron, split rail, Kentucky 3 and 4-board and faux metal resembling wrought iron.
Independence passed an ordinance in 2021 that prohibited fencing in front yards throughout the city, and issues surrounding fencing regulations have come up several times in front of the city council this year.
The proposed amendment comes as a result of a local couple’s, Fran and Bob Hasekoester, attempt to put a fence in their yard. At a council meeting in April, Bob Hasekoester said that the house had a fence for nearly 70 years.
They took the fence down with the plan to set it back up, but before they could do so, the 2021 ordinance prohibiting fences in front yards was passed. The Hasekoesters and city staff have been working to find a solution to the quandary ever since.
The amendment will now pass to the Kenton County Planning Commission, who will make a recommendation before sending the amendment back to the city council for a final decision.
