The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to grant a certificate of appropriateness to relocate an existing four-foot brick lattice fence to front the property at 2557 Central Avenue in the Somerville Historic District.

The action, taken after a staff presentation and public comment, responds to storm damage from Hurricane Helene and the property owner’s stated safety concerns for children playing on the yard adjacent to Central Avenue. Staff recommended approval, noting the relocated wall will match the existing brick design and comply with Somerville design guidelines if tied into the rebuilt sections and if details for gates and a site plan are provided.

Corey Howell, the homeowner and petitioner, told commissioners he moved the brick wall to the road to protect his four young sons and that the new wall uses the same brick and design: “Our main purpose and concern, obviously, was safety,” Howell said. Howell said the rebuilt fence is four feet tall, within zoning requirements, and that original iron gates will be repurposed. Eric Montgomery of Historic Augusta said his only remaining concern was that the exact layout had not been explicitly shown on the plan and asked whether the small brick retaining wall next to the house would be replaced.

A neighbor, Anna Averett, asked to see photos or details of the gates; Howell said the gates were included in the application package. Staff noted the application lacked a precise site plan showing the fence location and recommended the commission require a site plan and gate details to verify how the new work ties to the rebuilt fence.

A commissioner moved to approve the petition based on staff recommendations; a second was recorded and the commission voted 7–0 in favor. The approval is conditioned on any requirements the commission deems appropriate, including staff’s request for a site plan that verifies exact fence location and gate details before final documentation is completed.