The city is considering allowing homeowners in the Pepper Valley subdivision along Randall Road to build back-yard fences as high as 10 feet to block traffic noise and road salt.
But still at issue is who should pay for the fences, with residents saying some public funds should be contributed and Geneva and Kane County officials saying it is the homeowners’ responsibility.
“There’s no doubt the city wants to help these people deal with the noise problem,” said Ald. Bill Bezanson, chairman of the City Council’s Development Committee, which is scheduled to discuss the issue Thursday. “But there are no extra city funds.”
Kane County Transportation Director Nabi Fakroddin said officials studied a plan last winter whereby the funding would be split in thirds among the county, city and homeowners, but shelved the idea when Geneva declined to commit money.
Marcia Marshall, a Pepper Valley homeowner, said most of the affected residents will go forward even if it means paying the entire expense. She said that would be unfair because the problem began after Kane County expanded Randall Road to four lanes and raised the level of the highway 2 feet.
“Pepper Valley was here first,” Marshall said. “The county has a responsibility to help fix a situation it helped create.”
Last year, Geneva said the homeowners could erect a 10-foot fence as long as it stretched continuously along all 25 properties, located on the east side of Randall north of Kaneville Road. City code currently allows fences no higher than 6 feet.
But not all the property owners can afford to participate in the project now. That is why the city may extend the permission on an individual basis, provided the others follow suit in a reasonable time period, Bezanson said.
Marshall said the homeowners received estimates last year of about $1,500 per property to construct a continuous fence.
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