Historic Commission approves setback and screening for 60 Wonoma Way fence and gate

The Nantucket Historic District Commission approved a revised fencing plan for a property on Wonoma (Winona) Way on May 13, requiring the front gate to be recessed and the fence line to be set back and screened by vegetation.

Commissioners said the proposed 8-foot-high deer/security fence and heavy gate read as an out-of-character “wall” along Winona Way and directed the applicant to pull the fence line into the lot and preserve or rely on existing vegetation to screen the new work.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed their comments as preserving neighborhood character on a traveled public way. The property owner’s original plan placed a tall, continuous fence close to the public way and to a cul-de-sac entry; commissioners said that would create a stark, highly visible wall where the lot currently reads as landscape and seasonal fencing.

Details of the approval and conditions - The commission approved a motion to accept an Exhibit A to show the revised fence layout. The board required the gate to be moved back from the driveway; commissioners discussed a 20-foot recess for the gate and asked that the fence along Winona Way be pulled at least 10 feet into the lot where feasible to allow existing vegetation to screen it. - Commissioners also asked that fencing not be placed in front of existing evergreen planting; where posts are visible, they asked for simpler detailing (posts without caps) and for staining or finishes that will blend with vegetation as the posts weather. - The board authorized the applicant to provide a formal Exhibit A drawing showing the required setbacks and vegetation screening; staff will check the final exhibit for compliance before a permit is issued.

What commissioners emphasized - Commissioner Angus said the existing condition looks like “a prison wall” when the fence sits directly on the public edge, and asked that the fence be moved so the planting reads as the public character, not a fence face. - Commissioner Carrie urged the gate be pulled in at least 20 feet from the cul-de-sac and asked that posts and gate proportions be adjusted to reduce the heavy, utilitarian appearance. - Commissioners also noted the proposed post spacing and heavy gate hardware were visually out of scale and asked for simplified, screened approaches in the Exhibit A.

Implementation and next steps The motion carried and commissioners asked the applicant to submit Exhibit A for staff review showing the gate location moved back and the fence pulled into existing vegetation or new planting to screen the public way. The commission did not impose a demolition or other permit condition beyond requiring the revised exhibit and screening.