Karen S. Kim
BURBANK -- Kenneth Road in Glendale is characterized by leafy shade
trees with lavender blossoms, colorful flower beds, open, lush green
lawns and, most importantly, no fences.
But at the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Kenneth Road -- where
Burbank begins and Glendale's no-fence policy ends -- a gray chain-link
fence surrounding the corner property on Burbank's side of the street
serves as a blatant divider between the two cities' contrasting laws.
During public comment at a recent Glendale City Council meeting,
several residents avidly defended Glendale's ordinance. The cement,
stone, chain-link, brick and unpainted wooden fences flanking Kenneth
Road in Burbank were mentioned as examples of how fences can make a
neighborhood appear unattractive.
But Burbank Councilman David Laurell said practical purpose outweighs
aesthetic value when it comes to property fences.
"I think some fences are very attractive, charming-looking and
complement the architecture of a house, and then I think that some of
them are absolutely gaudy and fortress-looking," Laurell said. "But
there's a lot of very practical reasons why you need fences. Never do I
believe that a person should leave a child or a pet in the frontyard
without a fence."
Burbank's municipal code allows residents to erect a 3-foot-tall fence
in frontyards and an 8-foot fence in backyards. Glendale's fence and wall
ordinance prohibits any fencing in front of residential properties.
And some Glendale residents are very happy with their city's policy.
"Streetscapes are much more beautiful without the obstruction of walls
and fences, and our street looks like a continuous park because the front
lawns almost blend in with each other," said Lawrence Kalfayan, vice
president of the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Assn. "It promotes
openness in the community and makes it seem more neighborly."
Despite Burbank's being mentioned as an example of a city with
unattractive fences, Laurell said that some houses, like his own, "scream
out" for a fence.
"I have a blue Victorian, and I certainly one day intend to put a
white picket fence out there," he said.
