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Proposed fence upsets some residents
BY: Philip Batson, Staff Writer
Protective fence building continued over residents' objections following Leawood City Council approval Monday.
City Administrator Scott Lambers said fencing protects city-owned Ironhorse Golf Club from vandalism and unauthorized entry. Phased-in fencing started in 1999.
The council agreed 4-3 to spend $38,565 on the perimeter fence along the 12th and 13th fairways, behind the 12th green.
Resident Mark Bodine, one of nine Brittany Woods property owners next to the planned fence, stressed house owners and the golf course must share mutual respect. Bodine said house owners have respected and even maintained and landscaped part of the course near their property lines.
Bodine said many residents bought their houses because of the view that the fence will destroy.
Resident Tom Williamson said he had never seen vandalism in the area.
Resident Barb Freeland equated putting a fence at the levee base by the creek to using a belt and suspenders.
Bodine and other residents wondered whether the course would be maintained up to the fence and about losing land they landscaped and maintained.
Ironhorse Superintendent Pete Spratlin said the area will be maintained.
Councilman James Azeltine questioned what kind of notice residents received. Azeltine said he had been to the site five times and there had been poor communication between the city and residents.
"These people were being neighborly and let's not pay them back with this unsightly and unnecessary fence," Azeltine said.
Golf Course Committee Chairman Dick Fuller said initial course designs included fences.
Councilman Lou Rasmussen sided with the city and told the residents they bought property without "due diligence," which is not the fault of the city, city engineers or the county. By due diligence he meant that residents had an obligation before buying their houses to find out what might occur with surrounding property.
Rasmussen, Gregory Peppes, Gary Bussing and Jim Rawlings voted for the fence. Azeltine, Scott Gulledge and Debra Filla voted against.
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City Administrator Scott Lambers said fencing protects city-owned Ironhorse Golf Club from vandalism and unauthorized entry. Phased-in fencing started in 1999.
The council agreed 4-3 to spend $38,565 on the perimeter fence along the 12th and 13th fairways, behind the 12th green.
Resident Mark Bodine, one of nine Brittany Woods property owners next to the planned fence, stressed house owners and the golf course must share mutual respect. Bodine said house owners have respected and even maintained and landscaped part of the course near their property lines.
Bodine said many residents bought their houses because of the view that the fence will destroy.
Resident Tom Williamson said he had never seen vandalism in the area.
Resident Barb Freeland equated putting a fence at the levee base by the creek to using a belt and suspenders.
Bodine and other residents wondered whether the course would be maintained up to the fence and about losing land they landscaped and maintained.
Ironhorse Superintendent Pete Spratlin said the area will be maintained.
Councilman James Azeltine questioned what kind of notice residents received. Azeltine said he had been to the site five times and there had been poor communication between the city and residents.
"These people were being neighborly and let's not pay them back with this unsightly and unnecessary fence," Azeltine said.
Golf Course Committee Chairman Dick Fuller said initial course designs included fences.
Councilman Lou Rasmussen sided with the city and told the residents they bought property without "due diligence," which is not the fault of the city, city engineers or the county. By due diligence he meant that residents had an obligation before buying their houses to find out what might occur with surrounding property.
Rasmussen, Gregory Peppes, Gary Bussing and Jim Rawlings voted for the fence. Azeltine, Scott Gulledge and Debra Filla voted against.
Comments on "Proposed fence upsets some residents"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.tom williamson wrote on Nov 9, 2007 3:49 PM:
" Unfortunately the city did not have the facts from city employees. Most of the homes in Iron Horse Woods were built before the golf course. AND the error in the elevation benchmarks was not discovered until after we bought our homes. Rasmussen's comments were off base, uncalled for and a disgrace to the City of Leawood. They were an insult to me and my neighbors. "