Conroe considering ordinance to regulate fences

Broken and damaged fences along with ones that exceed 6 feet have caught the attention of Conroe City Council members who are considering a new ordinance to regulate fences inside city limits.

City staff members presented the information to the council during its workshop meeting Wednesday.

Without a maintenance ordinance, all these things just exist, said Nancy Mikeska, assistant director of Community Development, as she showed multiple photos to the council. This is a problem throughout the city. I am recommending we take the time to look at a fence ordinance.

While the council agreed fences in the city need to be addressed, Mayor Webb Melder and Mayor Pro Tem Guy Martin are concerned about too much governmental overreach and dictating what property owners do on their own land.

I have kind of a yin-yang situation, Martin said. Someone owns their property and I dont know how far I want to go to tell them exactly what fence they can do where they can put it.

Melder agrees and added the city doesnt want to tread on private property rights.

I think there is a balance there of government overreaching and homeowners being able to secure their property, he said.

Councilwoman Marsha Porter said fences in front yards need to be addressed. Mikeska said the city could consider a 4-foot limit on front-yard fences and require them to be either chain link, wrought iron or other approved material.

I would have a concern on the front-yard fence, she said. I lean closer to not having a front-yard fence.

The city is expected to revisit a potential fence ordinance at a future meeting.

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Conroe considering ordinance to regulate fences