In a unanimous vote by the Clearwater City Council last week, some pallet fences will now be allowed in the city.

 

After a brief discussion last Monday, the council agreed to amend the city’s fence ordinance.

 

The issue came up at the August meeting when Jason and Janelle Wendland approached the council about allowing a pallet fence they had begun building on their property on Ash Street.

 

The city had put a notice on the Wendlands’ door ordering them to stop construction of the pallet fence, which was not allowed under the city’s ordinance.

 

During the August meeting, the council debated whether to instruct the Wendlands to remove the fence, continue building the fence or modify the ordinance to allow pallet fences under certain conditions.

 

Jason told the council the fence wasn’t just a row of pallets nailed or tied together. They sank treated lumber posts and added top and bottom rails. Every pallet is heat treated, sprayed with pesticide, repaired, if necessary and sanded. They also intended to paint or stain the pallets a uniform color.

 

After a 20-minute discussion, the council tabled a vote and instructed the Wendlands to halt construction while staff did research on the ordinance  language.

 

Last Monday, Clearwater City Administrator Kevin Kress presented revised language to the ordinance for the council to review. It included provisions for pallets in certain circumstances.

 

“Wooden pallets are allowed for use only if they are made of milled lumber and are not stamped with the factory marking of...”

 

There were three different symbols that indicated unacceptable materials - pallets made with methyl bromide, Old European Pallets or colored pallets.

 

Another provision required all the pallets to be the same: “If using wooden pallets, they shall be uniform in size, color and pattern.”

 

The council voted to approve the new ordinance language. It will allow the Wendlands to complete their fence, and will allow any future pallet fences that comply with the revised language.