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An 8-foot fence topped with barbed wire is pushing the limits of Medford's city code, but the owner of this Seroba Circle property wants the code changed so he can keep the deterrent to vandals. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell)Medford resident Sheldon Chambers says he was glad to finally find a solution to keep vandals away from his north Medford property — by topping his 8-foot fence with barbed wire — but is frustrated that the city is threatening to force him to remove it.
Chambers was recently cited by a city code enforcement officer and told he must get rid of the strands of barbed wire atop his wooden fence.
So the Medford resident who uses the property for storage but lives elsewhere is pleading with the city to let him keep it.
Chambers, who has a Municipal Court date set for March 27, approached the Medford City Council Thursday asking it to change the city code to allow the barbed wire.
Chambers said for the 40 years he's owned the property, he's fought with keeping vandals and trespassers at bay.
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He said motorcyclists used to ride around the houses and throw rocks and break windows in the buildings and vehicles.
He said he tried several approaches, then got a permit from the city to build an 8-foot fence around his three lots, which the city allowed as long as it was 20 feet back from the street.
He said people still came over the fence and vandalized the property.
That's when he resorted to the barbed wire.
The vandalism stopped, he said, but the city is threatening to cite him if he does not remove the wire.
"Barbed wire fencing is not allowed in residential areas," said Glenda Owens, city recorder. Chambers said he has seen other Medford properties with barbed wire fencing.
City Attorney John Huttl said barbed wire is only permitted in commercial and industrial zoning, not in residential, as Chambers' property is.
Councilman Ben Truwe wondered if there's another solution.
"We don't want to have a proliferation of barbed wire fences between neighbors who don't like each other," he said.
Owens said Chambers' other option was to seek an exception from the planning commission.
City Planning Director Rob Scott spoke with Chambers following the meeting about getting together to consider seeking an exception.
Scott said he's not aware of any other exceptions being granted for barbed wire in residential neighborhoods.
Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.
