Wicks resolves fence dispute with city of Cape

Cape Girardeau city council candidate Stan Wicks will be able to keep his fence. He just has to move back part of the fencing that surrounds his swimming pool and screen the rest of it with vegetation to comply with city zoning regulations.

Wicks had been at odds with city staff for more than a year after city inspectors said he might have to take down two fences he spent over $8,000 erecting.

The fences extend into the front yard of his home at 121 N. West End Blvd. in violation of city regulations.

One is a 5-foot, white vinyl fence and the other is a 6-foot wooden fence that sits on his swimming pool deck just behind the white fence.

The city's board of adjustment late last week agreed to a compromise. Wicks will move back the southern-most section of the vinyl fence to get it out of his front yard. The rest of the fencing, which can't be moved because of the pool, will be screened with vegetation.

After four years, the plants must be large enough to completely screen the fencing, said Robb McClary, director of inspection services.

McClary supported the compromise.

The city inspections director said the issue remained unresolved for over a year because of health problems, which limited his ability to work. McClary is recovering from colon cancer.

Wicks said he's glad the issue is resolved.