GREEN COVE SPRINGS - After 90 minutes of discussion on whether the city should re-examine its rules on fence permits, the city council decided to table the discussion until its next meeting on Dec. 9. 

At issue is whether the city should do away with restrictions on the height of fences, hedges and walls, and whether a building permit is required to build them. 

Councilman Darren Stutts argued for the removal of the permitting. Clay, Nassau, Bradford and Volusia counties don’t require fencing permits, and Duval only needs one in historical districts. The cities of Starke and Palatka also don’t require permits. 

Green Cove Springs currently restricts residential and commercial owners from using barbed or razor wire. In residential areas, fencing can’t be higher than four feet, except for decorative or ornamental fencing with columns or gates. Those fences can be six feet tall. 

Also, fences with missing boards or slats must be replaced at a “reasonable” time and with materials that match the wall. Also, the smooth side of the fence must face outward, away from the property owner. 

In other business, 

• a three-year, $160,000.00 agreement with Data Flow Systems to upgrade the Telemetry Control Units for the city’s water, wastewater and reclaimed water facilities. 

• elected to opt out of the property tax exemption for moderate-income properties relating to Affordable Housing Regulations.