09-28-94 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINII'i'ES CITY COUNCIL SEPTII~'iBER 28, 1994 McCumber reported that the fence along the eastern portion of his property is wood. When the building was constructed and additional storage area added, McCumber indicated that it was his intention to add the same type of wooden fence. However, at the time the Planning Commission indicated that they preferred chain-link with slats. McCumber reported that he then began to put up the chain-link fence, and the residential builder asked if he could put up a wooden fence. McCumber agreed provided that the fence met certain standards. These standards were not met and the fence blew down in the first storm. McCumber reported that he then put up the chain-link fence after being issued a building permit. The City then filed a lawsuit claiming that the conditions of the CUP were not being met. After 2 1/2 years, the lawsuit was agreeably dropped. McCumber reported that one of the reasons was that he had documentation on the matter and the City did not. McCumber reported that the existing chain-link fence has been in existence for 15 years. McCumber felt the issue now is the barbed wire on top of the fence. McCumber reported that before installing the barbed wire, he contacted City Hall and asked if barbed wire or razor wire was permitted. He was told that barbed wire was permitted, but razor wire was not. McCumber indicated that he then discussed with the Building Inspector whether or not a building permit was needed, and was told that since the materials and labor were less than $500 in value, no building permit was necessary. McCumber reported that he also contacted his insurance company to discuss liability issues with the barbed wire as well as the burglary problem at the site, and the insurance company gave him their blessings to install the barbed wire. McCUmber further reported that the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department recommended installation of the barbed wire on top of the fence as a deterrent to the theft problem. McCumber further pointed out that he has signatures from two of his three adjacent neighbors indicating that they have no objection to the barbed wire. McCumber again stated that the issue is not the chain- link fence which has existed for 15 years, but rather the barbed wire. McCumber reported that in addition to the theft problem he has had at his property, he also has problems with neighborhood children climbing into the storage area, both of which have ceased since the 4