Decorah couple want to extend their back yard--into city right-of-way

The property under discussion, with city-owned property on the right

The City of Decorah's Properties Committee will meet soon with a Decorah woman who wants to expand her back yard fence to include some land owned by the City of Decorah.

Raina Barloon of 331 Pershing Street spoke with Decorah City Council members Monday night.  She says she wants more space in her back yard for her dog to run and for her family to enjoy.

But some city officials questioned the appropriateness of allowing a resident to construct improvements on city-owned property.  Also, there are utilities in the right-of-way, adding another reason city officials opposed the request.  City officials did offer to allow for a five foot easement for the fence in exchange for Barloon cutting the grass of the entire city-owned property, but she declined the offer.

No date has been set yet for a committee meeting to discuss the issue.