Should the city reconsider the type of fencing allowed along canals? That was the question the Riverton City Council discussed in August. 

Currently, the city’s fencing ordinance requires six-foot high solid concrete fencing along waterways like canals, ditches or irrigation lines throughout the city. It excludes foam core and fiberglass mixes as options. The standard aims to ensure durability and safety, Development Services Director Jason Lethbridge told the council. 

The ordinance was amended back in 2015, and does allow for block or brick, but not fiber cement due to a question of its durability. 

Mayor Trent Staggs, who was serving on the council in 2015, recalled being in favor of alternative fence types. 

“I wanted more flexibility from a cost perspective,” he said, noting a desire to allow more options for the development community “but I was in the minority at that point.” 

While Councilmember Tawnee McCay was in favor of the city being more lenient, Councilmember Troy McDougal preferred to keep the current ordinance. 

McDougal worried changing the options would allow previous developments to return and change their fencing type, though city staff did not think that likely. He added keeping masonry fencing allows for easier weed maintenance, but was amenable to variations of masonry-style fencing. 

With canal trails being paved now, he also liked the more unified look.