Administration will be looking over the city's fences after a deputation Monday.
Brian Vic removed a 16-foot hedge from his Elm Street home earlier this year and replaced it with an eight-and-a-half foot fence. Before building the fence he checked with his neighbours who didn't seem to have a problem with the idea. Neighbours directly behind Vic welcomed the new addition as it would give both properties more privacy.
Vic said he was shocked when bylaw enforcement officers came to his door after someone complained. According to city bylaws fences can only be six feet high. The fence backs on to a laneway that is seldom used. He asked city council to give his fence and exemption.
"I'm here today with my hat in my hand," he said.
City development and emergency services manager Mark Smith said the bylaw is there mainly for aesthetic reasons and to keep Thunder Bay from becoming a "community of palisades."
But because city bylaws are complaint driven, councillors were concerned that many fences in the city would contradict the bylaw yet Vic would have to comply because of one complaint.
Administration is preparing a report on Vic's case and the fence bylaw in general.
