After repealing its existing fence ordinance, the City of Gearhart declined to adopt a new ordinance at its Wednesday, May 6 City Council meeting. The repealed ordinance regulated fences, which were located within yards and not allowed to exceed 6 feet in height. The ordinance regulated the types of material used in the fence, prohibiting barbed wire or other sharp or otherwise dangerous construction material.

The issue initially came to the council’s attention in 2014 after complaints about property owners who allegedly violated the fence standards. A review of the ordinance indicated that updated regulations were needed for better compliance.

On Wednesday, after a unanimous vote to repeal the old ordinance, the City Council then considered an ordinance which included elements of the previous code, as well as a second section that declared that all existing fences that do not comply with the fence provisions herein would be grandfathered. City Attorney Peter Watts warned, “If you don’t pass the second fence ordinance, it’s Wild West for fence builders.”

“I disagree, we still have the international building code,” said councilor John Duncan. “We would have something in place.”

“Then we’re going to be a couple of months without a fence ordinance,” said Mayor Dianne Widdop.

“There’s no permit requirement through the city, and without a permit requirement in the city we have no way of tracking what is going on,” said Duncan after the meeting in explaining his vote. “The original updated ordinance had a permit in it, and the council decided they didn’t like it and took it out.”

Since the fence ordinance repeal required an emergency declaration to bring it to the council floor the same night, the board voted to do so. Since emergency declaration votes must be unanimous, however, the dissenting vote of Duncan led to a postponement of the matter to a future council session, likely in June, according to City Manager Chad Sweet on Thursday. “This would be the slower path to a vote,” Sweet said. He added that the next vote could be won by a simple council majority.

“It still can pass,” Duncan said Wednesday night. “I just won’t vote for it.”

The City Council picked up discussion of the city’s RV zoning code, after meetings and hearings by the council and Planning Commission in February and March.

The ordinance limits residents to no more than two RVs on a residential premises, but council members picked up the revisions after complaints that language in the ordinance needed clarification.

The council tabled adoption of the code regulating the use and definition of RVs at its Feb. 4 meeting, opting to send the draft language back to the Planning Commission. At its March meeting, the commission recommended the council adopt a revised code that provided more specific limits on the parking of RVs, and added an amendment to include boats in the RV ordinance. Additional RVs could be parked on a temporary basis for not more than seven days per calendar month.

On April 29, City Planner Carole Connor added amendments to further tweak the code.

There were no public comments at Wednesday’s meeting, and the revised ordinance was unanimously approved by members of the council.

Seaside native and former volunteer Gearhart firefighter Jeremy Houston provided a plaque honoring the city for its partnership with Medix Ambulance Service. As a representative of Medix, Houston asked the council to issue a proclamation observing Emergency Medical Service Week.

“The theme of our EMS week is EMS Strong. And it’s all about our partnerships that we create with our emergency responders, be it the fire departments, police and hospitals, and it’s also about our community relationships. It’s not just about our lights and sirens.”

Houston presented the plaque to Mayor Widdop as the council adopted the resolution proclaiming Emergency Medical Services Week.

Julie Soderberg, Executive Director of the Harbor in Astoria, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, appeared before the Council on behalf of this year’s “Soup Bowl” event. The Harbor provides 24-hour response for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and stalking.

She said the Soup Bowl fundraiser features handmade soup bowls fired in a traditional wood kiln. The fundraiser takes place Saturday, May 16; ticket price includes a handmade bowl and locally crafted soups, bread, and coffee. $50 per person. For more information call 503-325-8624.