Fabric, tarps, razor wire may be prohibited as fences in Apache Junction

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

Changes to the Apache Junction’s city code pertaining to fences are planned including allowing metal panels and prohibiting razor and concertina wire, fabric or tarps.

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 27 voted 6-0 to recommend the city council approve text amendments to the city code concerning fencing materials. Chair Dave Hantzsche and Dirk Begeman were on the phone, but Hantzsche could not be heard when asked several times what his vote was.

The council is to discuss the text amendment changes at a March 18 work session and vote on them April 2. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are to be in the council chambers, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.

Two prohibited materials are to be added for all zoning districts:

• Fabrics/tarps such as mesh canvas, tarpaulin or similar non-rigid materials; and
• Razor or concertina wire.

The zoning code needs to be changed under unapproved corrugated metal panels to allow unframed, unpainted/untreated galvanized sheet or corrugated metal panels, Senior Planner Kelsey Schattnik said at the meeting.

“So we are going to allow metal-fence panels. However, they must be treated or painted in order to reduce the reflective nature of the metal to help reduce glare,” she said.

Other permitted fencing for single-family residential districts would include:

• Mesh screening as a secondary material type for sports courts;
• Chicken wire, wire fabric and similar welded or woven-wire fabrics as a secondary material type for the keeping of animals.

“(R)ural properties ... we’ve added details regarding the use of corral and pen fences. We are allowing ocotillo and wooden stick fencing,” Schattnik said.

The corral and pen fences were previously allowed but clarifying details have been added to the code, she said.

New general design guidelines have been added to a section on nonresidential, multifamily and new large-scale, single-family developments, Schattnik said.

“Chain-link fencing is only permitted during active construction or as security fencing. And then patio enclosures and screening — this information was in the landscape code — we are just relocating it to the fences and walls regulations, no changes are being made to the requirements,” she said.

The commission’s primary duties include community contact regarding items such as a zoning change request, to an application from a developer for a shopping center development or housing project. Also included are conditional-use permits with the final decision being handled at the Planning & Zoning Commission level. There are seven members appointed who serve three-year terms, according to the city’s website.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.