This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Permit for Newly Built Fence in Mendota Heights Critical Area Narrowly Approved

The planning commission found themselves in an unusual situation.

In an unprecedented situation, the Mendota Heights planning commission moved to approve a permit to construct a fence that has already been built.

The commission voted 4-3 at their May 24 meeting to approve a Critical Area permit for a privacy fence at 1040 Sibley Memorial Highway. Despite the application’s straightforward request, basic improvements such as these tend to pass without a hitch, there was a small complication: the fence has already been completed.

Property owner Beverly Sargent was aware she needed a permit, but was unaware that a permit could take weeks to obtain.

Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She applied for the permit, then, built the fence before receiving it.

“I already had guys coming,” Sargent explained to the commission. “I had already put down a payment. I didn’t know it would be a six to eight week process.”

Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Commission member Michael Noonan highlighted the issue with the order of Sargent’s building process.

“The contractor has proceeded without a permit,” Noonan said during the meeting. “I’m having trouble with the fact that you didn’t follow the process…The fact is you still haven’t received a permit but the work’s been done.” 

“I have some sympathy for anybody who isn’t really aware,” said commission member Mary Magnuson. “Until I joined the commission I wasn’t aware we had so many ordinances and things to comply with. I think under ordinary circumstances I would vote to approve the fence.”

Without ordinary circumstances, however, several commission members voted against recommending the application. The matter will be decided at the June 7 city council meeting.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Mendota Heights