| Side to side, Le Sueur yards get wide |
By: Paul M. Malchow
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Posted: Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:08 pm
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Neighbors chatting over the fence can get a little closer thanks to a proposed change in Le Sueur city code. At its Jan. 25 meeting, the Le Sueur city council introduced Ordinance 519 amending the statute relating to fencing.
“The planning commission has looked at fencing issues for the past several months,” said City Administrator Rick Almich. “We felt this was one matter which we should address before the construction season begins.”
The city’s current code states fences must be five feet back from the property line. The new ordinance amends the language to keep the five-foot distance from the rear property line, but changes the sideyard distance to 18 inches. “10 feet on a 50-foot (wide) lot is significant,” Almich said. “It was felt the 18-inch minimum was sufficient and gave property owners better use of their yards.”
The five-foot rear minimum was kept in place to give utility workers room for access and repairs. Almich said in many cases the utility easements run along properties’ rear boundary – especially properties which have an alley in the rear. Also, without the five-foot setback, it would be difficult for the city to clear the alleys of snow.
Almich added adjacent lots could apply for a permit to allow a common fence between properties. “We have no problem with neighbors working with neighbors,” he told the council, “although we have had no requests.”
There are other stipulations in the city code pertaining to fencing which remain unchanged and in effect. These include fence height, construction, maintenance of the fence and other miscellaneous issues. A copy of the code is available at city hall.
• The council voted to retain Northland Securities, Inc. to provide advisory services in issuing an equipment certificate. The city expects next month to obtain the certificate to fund the purchase of a variety of items in 2010, such as a new police squad car and other budgeted items. The city anticipates the certificate will be in the sum of $390,000.
Almich said unlike general obligation bonds, equipment certificates are historically handled by local financial institutions. Northland Securities will work with Le Sueur’s banks to negotiate interest rates and prepare the necessary paperwork. For their services, Northland Securities will be paid $5,000.
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