How Your Neighborhood Would Benefit
Many neighborhoods in Aurora and the metro area are realizing the benefits of masonry fences along
major streets. While a typical wooden fence has a life span of 15 to 20 years, masonry fences are highly
durable and will last for decades.
Masonry fences also require minimal maintenance unlike wooden fences that require staining, picket
replacement and regular inspection to ensure that they are holding up in the elements. Masonry fences
are extremely attractive and help reflect noise from traffic.
A number of styles of masonry fence design have been developed by the city to assure consistent quality
and a pleasing appearance, while at the same time providing a range of cost options. Having a variety of
styles and colors to choose from ensures that each neighborhood will have its own identity and won't look
exactly like the neighborhood across the street, fence design renderings.
Each group of property owners will select a design for the border of its neighborhood or neighborhoods.
In addition, and where appropriate, landscaping between the sidewalk and the fence enhance the
appearance of masonry fences.
Funding options
The fence program is a way for interested neighborhoods to replace their fence with the city serving as a
banker and project manager. The city will advance the money to build the fence. The fence will be owned
by the city, and the city will be reimbursed through either a Special Improvement District or a General
Improvement District. Each neighborhood can decide which financial option to chose. After the masonry
fence is built, the property owners within the district will be charged the cost of the fence on their annual
property tax bill.
Masonry fences will be located as close as possible to the property line. However, a masonry fence
foundation is wide enough that it may require an additional easement from property owners.
In addition, foundations must avoid buried utilities and that could require shifting the masonry fences
further onto resident lots. Every attempt to avoid disrupting existing landscaping will be made. In some
cases, however, this may be unavoidable. The pictures above show the Dam West HOA fence (SWC of
Peoria Street and Yale Avenue) in progress and the final finished product
Residents may petition the city to create one of two types of special districts as set forth by Colorado law.
A Special Improvement District is a financing option that allows the city to impose an obligation upon
property owners to pay for the costs of public improvement projects that specially benefit their property,
including arterial fences. A Special Improvement District assessment may or may not be the same for all
property owners in a district, which is determined by an independent study by a consultant that
recommends the amount each property will be assessed. A Special Improvement District assessment
may be paid over the period of 10 or 20 years, or paid up front in one lump sum.
A General Improvement District is a financing option that allows the city to impose a 20 year tax upon
property owners within the district. The property tax rate will be the same for each property owner in the
district, but the actual amount paid by each homeowner will vary depending on the assessed value of
their property. A GID may not be paid up front in one lump sum because it is considered a tax (not an
assessment).
The masonry fence will be owned by the city and district property owners will be charged a maintenance
fee in perpetuity (for the life of the fence) on their annual property tax bills. The maintenance cost, which
is traditionally a minimal amount, may vary from year to year is set annually by the Director of Public
Works Department.
The Fence Replacement Process
The Neighborhood Fence Replacement Program is based on neighborhood initiation and support. The
process steps are as follows:
1. The neighborhood indicates interest in the Fence Replacement Program by contacting the
Neighborhood Liaison Office and forms a Neighborhood Fence Committee.
2. The neighborhood fence committee meets with City of Aurora staff to discuss the proposed
location of the fence and any outstanding engineering, traffic, right-of-way or Real Property issues
that can be identified early in the process.
3. The Neighborhood Fence Committee, with the input of residents within the proposed district,
decides the exact location of the fence and which financial option to use; a Special Improvement
District (SID) or a General Improvement District (GID). The fence type, height, length,
landscaping, xeriscaping, entrance treatments, etc. should be decided by this time and evidence
of communication by the fence committee to residents should be on file with the city.
4. After calculating an estimated cost for the fence, the city of Aurora sends out notification and
hosts two neighborhood-wide meetings to present the facts regarding the Fence Replacement
Process and answer questions or concerns specific to the individual fence.
5. A Special Improvement District (SID) requires an Interest Petition be circulated by the
Neighborhood Fence Committee and signed by 33% of the property owners in the proposed
district. If approved by the City Clerk a subsequent Petition must be circulated requiring two-thirds
of the property owners responsible for two-thirds of the assessments. If the required number of
signatures is verified by the City Clerk’s Office, City Council will schedule a Public Hearing
regarding the formation of the SID Fence Replacement District.
6. A General Improvement District (GID) requires a petition be circulated by the Neighborhood
Fence Committee requiring 30% of the signatures of the registered voters in the proposed district.
If the petition is certified by the City Clerk the City Council will schedule a Public Hearing to place
the item on an upcoming November ballot. After the GID ballot items are approved (by over 50%
of voters) a GID is formed.
7. Once the SID or GID is approved the neighborhood fence committee will work closely with the
city’s project engineer to finalize the design, bid the project out and build the fence.
8. After the fence is constructed, properties within the proposed district will be billed for the
construction costs (over a 20 year period) and maintenance (for the life of the fence) on the
annual property tax assessment sent by their county government.