Author Topic: Which side of the fence faces you? (Read 412 times)

gofaster · « **on:** January 28, 2004, 01:33:53 PM »

Saw this blurb in a recent story about municipal government. Just when you thought government couldn't get anymore boring than discussions about fencing, comes this little gem:

Quote

LARGO - City commissioners considered a bunch of revisions to the city's development code at Tuesday's work session.

The issue that ruffled the most feathers was fences.

Namely, should the good side face in or out?

A couple of the commission members adamantly opposed a change that would require the finished side of fences to face neighboring properties.

Both Mayor Bob Jackson and Commissioner Pat Burke have personal stakes in the matter.

"In April, it will be 30 years that my stockade fence has been up," Jackson said. "The good side has always faced me."

And Burke couldn't see the sense of shelling out money for the fence to get a mediocre view.

"You're going to put a $10,000 fence up, and you're going to put the good side of your fence toward your neighbor? I don't think so," Burke said.

But neighbors on the other side of the fence have qualms, too, city staffers said.

Planning manager Peter Pensa said he has received a couple of dozen calls a year about the issue.

"I've been out to dispute resolution calls where they're about ready to kill each other," Pensa said.

And some folks end up in the slammer.

"In every city, one or two neighbors go to jail over the issue," City Manager Steve Stanton said.

To avoid a ruckus, officials decided to discuss fences later.

So would you want to face the ugly side of the fence your neighbor put up? Or would you want to face the good side of the fence you paid for? Personally, I could care less which side I faced so long as it didn't have graffitti all over it.

This might make a good issue for a high school debate team!

Mickey1992 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2004, 01:49:54 PM »

I thought it was common practice to put the "good" side facing out. Not only for looks, but to keep someone from the outside from being able to easily climb it.

BlckMgk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:12:31 PM »

Good side out... then landscape my side with shrubs etc... Reason I'd put up a fence is for privacy, not for my view.

Or shell the extra money for a double "good" sided fance...

Ripsnort · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:24:11 PM »

On a boundary, with a neighbor, you should have the 2x4 stringer facing toward the builder.(See MIckeys response)

I prefer "Green fences".

Lizking · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:25:47 PM »

If the neighbor is a good one, the fence faces him. If his yard is crap, it faces in. Hence, on my yard, one side faces in, one side faces out(the back fence is two-sided).

lazs2 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:27:38 PM »

A "good neighbor fence" is one where the panels alternate. Normally, both parties pay equally for fencing or for replacement.

lazs

Ripsnort · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:31:09 PM »

The worse thing that ever came out of the state of California was the "Privacy Fence". 6' tall cedar fences. I remember a day when a "fence" was to keep livestock out of the yard, and suburbs were lined with shrubs for fences.

fd ski · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:33:04 PM »

My fance and how I decorate my property should be non of their f.......g business.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:35:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by fd ski
My fance and how I decorate my property should be non of their f.......g business.

Its this attitude is exactly why we're doomed with privacy fences, and never getting to know our neighbors well.

(Nothing personal FD, just saying...General Q. Public these days)

Ping · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:37:29 PM »

The answer is, Barbed Wire.

Eagler · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2004, 02:53:31 PM »

good out cept back fence which went up against a chain link..

and they are happy to have it, saves them the dough for fencing that stretch of their own backyard.

Otto · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2004, 03:36:43 PM »

My township requires the 'good' side to face out. It makes sense to me...

fd ski · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2004, 03:37:21 PM »

Well Ripsnort, if you have a neighbour who puts up a fance which is clearly made with total disregard how it will look on your side or to the outside in general, do you really WANT to know the guy ?
I don't.

This sounds like a perfect case of "too much government involvement". Next thing you know they'll tell you what color to paint your house so that its pleasant to bypassers.

rpm · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2004, 04:18:21 PM »

Ping is the winner. The correct answer IS Barbed Wire. I have over 7 miles of fence, all of it 5 strand Barbed Wire and not 1 neighbor complaint. But, then I am smart enough not to live in town and my nearest neighbor lives 1.5 miles away. City Folk, sheesh.

Scootter · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2004, 05:10:20 PM »

Proof this board can argue about anything.