Whispering Pines Village Council voted 3-2 to change the ordinance on non-landscape screening without a ‘grandfather’ clause for previously approved screens. All 4 & 6ft screens that are not 4ft shadow box fencing (vinyl or wood)  will be required at homeowner expense to come into compliance.  The mayor and two council members overruled P&Z committee’s recommendation to continue with 6ft screens & the use of other designs such as board & batten and lattice.

Does our council not realize the financial hardship they are imposing on village residents especially our elderly or retired on a fixed income?

The lack of a grandfather clause to a change in an existing ordinance is unprecedented.  If 3 council members can change this ordinance and force homeowners at their own expense to come into compliance, this represents a significant loss of property owner rights within the village. 

If they can force us to change our screening material, height, and design, what will be the next item? 

We who sign this petition, ask the council to respect homeowner rights by rescinding the changed ordinance, including the grandfather clause of existing 6ft screens, & approving P&Z recommendations. 

Please email or call your village council members and attend the next council meeting at 6pm Wednesday, August 3.  pharris@vwpnc.org, lvandercook@vwpnc.org,  gbernhard@vwpnc.org.

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***Update on August 17, 2022, amending this petition:  We the undersigned request the Village of Whispering Pines Council approve a grandfathering clause for non-conforming screens within Whispering Pines, NC to the Screening Amendment which passed 3-2 on 7-13-2022.***

***Residents must attend the next Council work session at 2pm Aug. 31, 2022 & the next Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept 14 at 6pm.  We must speak up and act to protect our rights as citizens and property owners. ***