Developer seeks 4‑board horse fencing at Magnolia Hall; DRC questions front‑yard placement and view shed impact

Representatives for the Magnolia Hall development presented plans to install 4-foot-tall, 4-board horse fencing along portions of the development at 1850 William Campbell Court to distinguish private park and lake areas for residents from the public right-of-way. Historic preservation staff member Elizabeth told the committee the 2016 design guidelines recommend wooden picket or open-weave rail fences in primary front yards and generally limit front-yard fences to 3 feet in height; the proposed 4-foot fence and proposed placement “does not preserve” the front-yard appearance of Magnolia Hall and “is not recommended.” Developers said the fence type has long been used on the property and argued it reflects Magnolia Hall’s agrarian history and helps protect private amenities (they said the lake and two small parks are private to Magnolia residents). Commissioners said they understood the desire for private demarcation but repeatedly raised concern about interrupting the public view shed toward the mansion. Commissioner Tyler asked for distances from the house to the proposed fence; the applicant provided figures showing the fence meanders and ranges from roughly 130 to 160 feet from the primary facade at its closest and farthest points. Several commissioners suggested compromises: moving the fence behind the 20-foot recommended recess from the primary facade, limiting front-yard fencing to small entry flanking sections, connecting the fence across driveway entrances for symmetry, or using low plantings and signage (“Private property beyond this point”) instead of a continuous front-yard fence. Commissioners encouraged the applicant to provide a street-level mockup showing the fence in context so the group can weigh whether a deviation from the guidelines is warranted. Why it matters: The proposed fencing would alter the public presentation of one of Franklin’s larger historic properties and establish precedent for front-yard treatment on the site. The DRC’s comments will guide the Historic Zoning Commission’s formal review and any COA decision. Next steps: Staff and commissioners asked the developer to supply plan views and street‑level visuals that show the fence’s location relative to the mansion, note the exact heights and materials, and explore alternate options such as shorter fences, plant buffers, selective signage, or shifting the fence line to preserve the mansion’s view shed.