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02/15/08
I witnessed a whimsical Schoolcraft County Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of 01/08/08, that sanctioned and allowed the further operation of an "illegal" quarry, over the protests of neighbors of the quarry, and, later, I read the editorial letter in the 01/17/08 edition of Manistique's Pioneer Tribune newspaper, by a Robert Manning, regarding fences within the city limits. Consequentially, I was moved to address the same issue Manning had taken vocal opposition to. Like the whimsical quarry zoning standards, the issue was the whimsical zoning standards for fences within the city limits of Manistique, and the consequences of those that will not consider the interests of the public at large, beyond whatever personal interest they may have in the business at hand.
Subsequently, I attended the City of Manistique Zoning Board meeting of 01/30/08, twenty minutes late. As I sat down, the board was well into its consideration of amendments to the City of Manistique fence ordinance (4MB mp3 audio file). The whimsical predatory nature of those on the board was emphasized by three incidents, during the discussion.
First the labelling of Bob and Sue Manning's fence height concerns as those of residents that couldn't get along with anyone. Second, when I spoke of my disgust with a six foot board fence 8 feet from my side living room window, the only response from board members were chuckles and smiles. Third, not one serious word of discussion regarding Manning's or my concerns, as if our words were nothing more than the annoying buzz of flies, to be ignored, because none of the members had any reason to consider that which did not affect them, or their friends.
The Zoning Board approved their amended ordinance and agreed to submit it to the City Council for the approval process.
Bob and Sue Manning's backyard view of a 6' fence-wall.
Six feet high fence-wall - 8 feet from my window - blocking light and view - built Summer 2007
At the Manistique City Council meeting of 02/11/08, I read the following as my public comments, regarding an agenda item concerning an amended city fence zoning ordinance submitted to Manistique City Council by the Manistique Zoning Board:
Regarding the Manistique fence ordinance, I attended the meeting at which the new height standards were approved, and expressed my disapproval of the current standards that allow someone to build a solid board fence, 6 feet high, within 8 feet of my side living-room window. I said, at that meeting, that in another time, and another life, I would have soaked the fence with gasoline and burned it. Beyond eliciting a few smiles, and chuckles, it was a waste of breath, as if no one on that zoning board had to consider such prospects.
I can understand palisade fences to keep out lions, and restless natives, but I cannot understand the intellect that allows one neighbor to wall off another, in what, until recently, I considered a civilized neighborhood. I have lived behind solid walls and fences, topped with broken glass, barbed wire, or razor wire, and had no reason to grumble, because those conditions existed in those uncivilized places, before I came on the scene.
As far as I am concerned, it takes a barbarian's intellect to propose and pass a fence zoning ordinance, or changes to such an ordinance, that allows one neighbor to limit the horizons of another, especially when one considers how small the lots are for most city residences. I suggest that council burn the document of proposed changes, and elicit one more appropriate for the city, than that proposed for one living in an isolated rural environment, surrounded by savages.
There was no comment. Later, during the meeting, the amended ordinance was accepted by council for consideration, with no comment relative to the issue I raised, at the meeting, or the Mannings' similar concerns.
6 feet high fence blocking backyard view - built Summer 2007
Instead of living in the "da woods" to isolate themselves from their neighbors, City of Manistique residents can enjoy isolation from their neighbors by building solid fence-walls that destroy one of the basic historic, and current, reasons that individuals form communities. In Manistique, collective community security, and the consideration of others' quality of life in a collective endeavour, is secondary to the individual whim of those that act as if they must keep marauding bandits, dangerous wildlife, and cannibal-savages at bay.
I have no reason to consider the welfare of those two neighbors that built 6 foot high plank fences just off my 50'x100' lot lines. Their choice of fence-walls, with the sanction of the Manistique Zoning Board, says to me, as in any "Third World country", we do not want to know you, and we don't care about the quality of your life, or what occurs on your side of the fence, and what occurs on our side of the fence is no business of yours, whether it is assault, theft, fire, rape, or murder."
So be it. The message is clear. They have become as undesirable, and inconsequential to me, as I am, to them. I have no reason to care if they live or die, and I will live my life, accordingly.
As for the Manistique Zoning Board, once again, the community loses because those with the responsibility to do their homework, and act in the interest of the general public, fail to reinvent the wheel in a 21st century world.
02/25/08
This evening, the Manistique City Council considered and approved the amended fence ordinance. (2MB mp3 audio file) During the public comment period, following the approval, I asked if any member of council had any problem with approving 6' high solid wood and vinyl wall-fences bordering small city lots. The only person to address my question was Mayor David Peterson, who said he had no problem with such "fences".
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