A pilot project allowing fence extensions to deter deer from dining on Okotokians' gardens has been extended for another year.
Council approved a pilot project last April that permitted residents to extend the height of existing fences with deer deterrent feature that would otherwise exceed the parameters of the Land Use Bylaw.
Senior planner Colin Gainer said at the time the project was proposed, the Urban Deer Task Force (UDTF) had yet to come back with its final report on mitigation strategies and the new Land Use Bylaw had yet to be approved.
"The pilot was seen as a way to progress forward some options for residents to consider interim measures for fencing to deter deer into yards prior to a more comprehensive look at the idea," he said.
However, last May, the UDTF submitted its final report, where a number of short- and long-term recommendations were made, including the extension of the fencing pilot project.
An annual fencing option and an update to the approved temporary fencing height based on the results of the pilot were also suggested.
Among more long-term suggests by the UDTF was considering the annulment of the current restrictive covenants on existing fencing on Okotoks properties, or to end them all together.
Gainer explained that a restrictive covenant is a legal document for a piece of property designed to restrict some aspects of the property.
"We are phasing out the use of the restrictive covenant for the 1.2m high chain link for rear yards," he said. "Currently it's still required to be constructed under the general design construction specifications.
"There are potentially broader implications to the overall neighbourhood design and implications to getting rid of that standard all together in order to introduce a different type of standard for fencing onto open space and reserve areas."
A proposal to amend the land use bylaw to allow backyard fences of 2.3 metres (7 feet) was also made.
Gainer said parks staff regularly receive calls inquiring about what is allowed to be used as extension, and at least two pieces of written feedback have been received.
"One has some concerns with the open-endedness of fencing options that are allowed through the pilot as well as another largely supporting the ability to have these measures in place," he said.
Varying materials and appearances have been observed under the project including wire, chain link and other decorations.
The plan is to extend the pilot to April 12, 2023, and undertake more public participation to determine next steps.
