By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan. 4, 2014
A vinyl fence on a Jay Crescent home in Garibaldi Highlands managed to create division of a different kind in this tony neighborhood.
Seven home owners opposed the fence made of vinyl, a material forbidden by a district bylaw.
But there were 14 other homeowners who had no problem with the vinyl fence.
The district bylaw states the fencing should be limited to stained or painted wood, brick, stone, or chain link.
On Dec. 10, the bylaw was amended to allow vinyl, but the letters of support and opposition reveal how something as innocuous as a new fence can split a neighbourhood.
“My grandson asked me if that was a fisher price fence,” wrote in Esta Evans.
She continues: “Sticks out like a sore thumb, completely out of context of our beautiful natural BC beauty that we moved from Ontario to enjoy.”
Added Chuck Prenevost: “Although it may weather the Squamish climate better, it’s an eye sore.”
“Looks cheap and tacky,” wrote another neighbour, Michael Butterworth.
Another neighbour Francisco Megale said it ‘looks like plastic and will depreciate the community.’
The letters of support were a different material.
‘The white vinyl resembles painted wood and is attractive—there is minimal impact on neighbours,” wrote Karen and Mark Potter.
Another neighbor Jenny Pederson said vinyl is a good alternative for this climate.
“I have seen the fence and I believe it’s attractive and practical,” she said.
Unaware that she would be contravening a bylaw, Carrie Ann-Chase decided to install a vinyl fence a few months ago.
The vinyl fence, the home owners said, was installed because it’s durable, mold and mildew resistant and requires little maintenance.
Chase said they weren’t aware of the bylaw that specified the material.
“Our intention was to create something that requires little maintenance,” she said.
When the Chases learned they had run afoul of the fencing, they stopped work on the fence.
On Dec. 17, the district amended its bylaw to accommodate vinyl fencing on the list of fencing material that can be used.
You can now use vinyl for your fence.
Dave says
And a chain-link fence is allowed and considered more attractive?….Hmmmm.
Hey, you can have plastic siding though, and you can put saran wrap over your windows to get more insulation. You can put plastic garden gnomes in your garden and decorate your lawns with lighted giant colourful blow-up figures…all year round if you wish….So? 🙂
What sensible bylaws we have in this town!
bob says
Are u serious? What a bunch after cry babies. Do you want an ugly chain link fence. There is a lot more to botch about than a white fence
Chris says
My understanding from the meeting was that only a variance permit was approved. So as far as I’m aware, vinyl is still generally prohibited. Based on the application and related information an exception was made for this one property.
Gagandeep Ghuman says
The variance was granted, but vinyl has also been now included in the material that can used in a fence. In my understanding, both happened. I will recheck, but please let me know if you have information that contradicts the story.
Gagandeep Ghuman
Dave says
And count up the number of carbon molecule proportion in most plastics. Most of the types are non biodegradable and last for years. This is a great way to lock up all that nasty carbon we keep worrying about. Wooden fences rot away in only a few years and release…yes…carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas! Just think about that, all you “greenies”! Never burn your plastic fence though….Look after it for years and feel good about it!
Jim Harvey says
It would be good to know if the fence materials were some form of vinyl composite made from re-cycled plastics. Aesthetics aside these type of products are becoming more common, are very durable and should be welcomed into our communal landscape.
Darrell says
This Sierra Club article states that the US Green Building Council found that there was “No single material shows up as the best across all the human health and environmental impact categories, nor as the worst.”. Wood or Vinyl, they all have problems. http://sierraclub.typepad.com/mrgreen/2011/03/whats-the-greenest-choice-for-house-siding.html
heather gee says
How can something that is clean and neat be objectional when there is so much untidiness in Squamish? I shake my head…
Dave says
Those people who objected to this fence and the material from which it is made should be reminded that one of the most ubiquitous materials used for window frames is vinyl. Wires are insulated with it. There is vinyl siding on many houses etc. It is most likely that all of these people have visible vinyl somewhere in their homes.
I guess they must be bored and have a need to complain to salve this!