In a recent government meeting, a proposal for a new fence design in the North Pointe Historic District sparked significant discussion among officials. The proposal includes enclosing the front and street side yards with a steel fence standing up to four feet tall, complemented by 53-inch cream city brick pillars and a concrete cap. Additionally, a 16-inch cream city brick base would support the fence, which is planned to extend along the east, north, and west street faces, connecting to an existing wood fence at the rear of the property.

The design also features two manual sliding gates along Kenilworth Drive, intended to match the proposed fence aesthetics, and a 15-inch metal railing around the upper second-story porch. However, the proposal faces scrutiny due to the district's strict regulations regarding fences, particularly in front yards and street-facing areas. Historically, very few fences have been permitted in the district, with only a handful of exceptions granted by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) since its designation.

The staff report highlighted that only 11 properties out of over 200 in the district currently have street-facing fences, emphasizing the rarity of such structures. Key considerations for approving fences include the presence of existing fences, the design's appropriateness, and whether landscaping could serve a similar purpose.

Given the property's existing large backyard, which is already enclosed, staff recommended denying the proposed fence and railing. They suggested that if the HPC were to approve the fence, it should be limited to three feet in height and restricted to the side street yard only. The meeting concluded with an invitation for the property owners to present their case, indicating ongoing community engagement in the decision-making process.