Editor:
Further to the article “Fence issue continues in Banff,” published in the Nov. 8 edition of the RMO, I would like to make Banff citizens aware that the Enarsons are circulating a petition in support of their white vinyl picket fence surrounding the Muskrat and Wolf Streets sides of their home, the former Bowker residence, that they have so lovingly restored.
Hopefully you already support the retention of this lovely fence that so tastefully complements their charming home. But, if you don’t – or are “on the fence” regarding their fence I would hope that you would consider the following:
1) The vast majority, probably 98 per cent plus, of old homes in Banff are demolished after being sold. Had the Enarsons torn down this approximately 100-year-old former Bankhead home, we would not be discussing their fence but would, instead, be lamenting the loss of yet another piece of the fabric of Banff history.
2) Planner Keith Batstone has described this fence as “a low-quality landscape solution.” He is also quoted as stating “that the gloss finish of the vinyl structure appears to be unnatural, causes glare and is contrary to the design intent of the bylaw regulations.”
Linda Enarson stated that her understanding of the Banff design guidelines is that “fencing, where permitted, should be natural in appearance and co-ordinated with the design of the main building.”
Which would you rather have: a natural wood fence that will require a fresh coat of paint every few years for the rest of its usable life until replaced by planking obtained from another tree that will be cut down in the future, or a vinyl fence that will likely look as good in 50 years as it does today? The vinyl fence is “co-ordinated with the design of the main building.”
3) Sanding and then painting a wooden picket fence is a labour-intensive and, consequently, expensive process. Think of Tom Sawyer when “all gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit” as he confronted the wooden white picket fence that he had to whitewash. That process requires the manufacture and application of a chemical-laden paint that will result in, at best, a fence that looks almost as good as the Enarson’s vinyl fence. The Enarson’s fence can be made to look brand-new simply by hosing it down with water, and will last a lot longer than any wooden fence.
4) The Enarsons did not knowingly contravene whatever fencing bylaw calls for “natural” materials that do not exceed a certain height. They saw photos of the fence and felt that it would be ideal for their Anne of Green Gables-type renovated Bankhead home.
5) It’s a foregone conclusion that the Town will allow the redevelopment of George Harrison’s old home on Wolf Street at the end of Bear Street. In order to allow this redevelopment to occur the Town will have to break numerous bylaws.
If the Town can break bylaws to facilitate the redevelopment of the Wolf and Bear property it seems to me that Randall McKay’s Planning Department should be willing to bend the bylaw rules in order to accommodate the Enarson’s lovely fence.
Please check out their white vinyl picket fence at 230 Muskrat St.
If you wish, you can sign the Enarson’s petition at The Viewpoint, across from the Maple Leaf Restaurant. Please stop me if you see me (I’m the one-legged guy) as I will be carrying copies of the petition.
Please note, and I hope that nobody feels insulted by this, that we are soliciting support from Banff residents who have lived here a minimum of five years. We want names on the petition that will be recognized by DAB members, and by councillors and the mayor.
Jon Whelan,
Banff
