Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: fences - immediate concern

[Larry Landrum (llandrum]

I believe my original point is correct, Patty doesn't acknowledge that not
all fences are equal.

A six foot wooden fence clearly reduces interaction.  Electronic dog fences
have minimal impact.  My point is that i wouod prefer to live in a world
where no one had a need for fences or other control or privacy factors.
(Windbreasks, a stricly architectual function escaped my notice and are a
perfectly good reason for fences with little or no pricacy, control
issues.)  But until we reach such an ideal world, fences do serve a
purpose.  I merely hope that we whould individually try to minimize their use.

I agree with Patty that her project's fence policy is excessive.  As a
Libertarian I strongly endorse her view: If its on private property, you
can do whatever you want (provided the effects are limited to that private
property), I simply hope that people will voluntarily choose not to fence
when that is an option.

Regreatably one of my future neighbors has already indicated that a
substantial privacy fnece will be needed for both of us to live in the same
community.  Since I want to share my community with that person, i am glad
that we will allow fences.

At 12:08 PM 2/13/00 EST, PattyMara [at] aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 2/12/00 10:42:16 PM , llandrum [at] usit.net writes:
>
><< Yes, fences do reduce the interaction of community >>
>
>I disagree. 
>
>Fences don't reduce interaction of community, people do.  (unless you are 
>talking about 6-10 feet solid razor wired armed camp kind of fences)  
>
>The fences that have sprouted up here at Tierra Nueva, central CA coast, are 
>mostly for dog or toddler yards, sometimes to hide recycling bins and other 
>outside storage, and sometimes to create a windbreak or alcove for outdoor 
>dining or patio activities.  They are a variety of materials, from wire with 
>a wood frame, to wooden slats, to strawbale low garden walls. 
>
>Creating a policy for fences here occupied too much time in my opinion, but 
>I'm in the school of:  if it's on private property you can do whatever you 
>want.  There were many more folks here who all wanted a say in everyone's 
>fence needs.  Sheese.  So we created a policy that requires any fence design 
>to go to the fence committee for approval.  Then there's a two week waiting 
>period after the approved design is up on the bulletin board, for community 
>input.  Then the household can build their frigging fence.  This just makes 
>me crazy.  But it is one of the concessions I make personally to living
here, 
>and it is worth it.  
>
>coheartedly,
>patty mara gourley
>tierra nueva, cen CA coast 
>
>