From: Gerald Fisher

Sent: Mon Apr 24 11:32:35 2017

To: Lori Edwards

Cc: Aldo Rodriguez; Brenda Reiner (Molalla)

Subject: RE: Question about fence construction permit and height code

Importance: Normal

Hi Lori,

Here is the code information you are looking for.

18.04.020 Vehicular access and circulation.

O. Vision Clearance. The minimum distance of a vision clearance area shall be 20 feet. Where the angle of intersection between streets is less than 30 degrees, the distance shall be increased to 30 feet. No visual obstruction (e.g., sign, structure, solid fence, or shrub vegetation) over 42 inches in height shall be placed in “vision clearance areas” on streets, driveways, alleys, or mid-block lanes where no traffic control stop sign or signal is provided. The minimum vision clearance area may be modified by the Public Works Director/City Engineer upon finding that more or less sight distance is required (i.e., due to traffic speeds, roadway alignment, etc.). This standard does not apply to light standards, utility poles, trees trunks and similar objects.

The sight distance is measured from the curb on Toliver Road in your situation. You can be at 6 feet to within 20 feet of the curb then drop to 42 inches to provide sight distance for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles approaching your driveway location. You have the option of moving the 6 foot restriction farther back than 20 feet if you choose to do so since the 20 foot distance is a minimum requirement. If you are wanting to verify your property line location then you will have to consult with a professional land surveyor licensed in Oregon. They are the only folks that can provide you with actual property line locations in the field. There are no permit requirements for a fence unless you exceed the height requirements. Aldo, our City Planner, can help you with that process if needed. He can be reached at 503.759.0219. Brenda, our Senior Engineering Technician, can verify distance for transition up to a 6 foot tall fence if needed. She can be reached at 503.759.0243. Thanks and have a good week.

Regards,

Gerald Fisher, P.E. | Public Works Director

City of Molalla

117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038

Office: 503.829.6855 | Direct: 503.759.0218

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this communication in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you.

From: Lori Edwards [mailto:lori_edwards@yahoo.com]

Sent: Friday, April 21, 2017 4:38 PM

To: Gerald Fisher <gfisher@cityofmolalla.com>

Subject: Question about fence construction permit and height code

Hi there. My husband and I at 580 Carter Lane are planning to build a fence to line the driveway and along the north side yard and have a few questions.

When I first purchased the house in 2010 I asked staff from the City of Molalla to come to make some fencing recommendations. I'm not sure of the names of the employees that came out (I have a card around here somewhere!) but they told me that my west to east fence that meets the private lane is outside of code. My property is one of two flag lots on Carter Lane, and the residents at 560 Carter Lane and I both have lengths of private driveway (Carter Lane) that meet the street at Toliver Road. I was told that the east end of the fence that runs west to east that meets Carter Lane should be at a lower height twenty feet back so as not to obscure the view entering Carter Lane.

I have been unable to locate this in code research. It is possible that they were viewing Carter Lane as a city street and not a private driveway, thus the recommendation for the lower fence, but Carter Lane is a private driveway.

I just need to know what the code actually is so we can modify the fence height if needed and keep the code in mind when replacing the fence.

I plan to also fence the line of the private drive that borders 806 Toliver Road and need to know the process for getting permits for this. Also, we will need to have someone come out to determine the exact property line for the project(s). This may already be on file from when Carter Lane was asphalted and the existing fence on the north edge was built but we need to know for certain before we start.

Thank you,

Lori Edwards

580 Carter Lane

503-442-9570