Commission approves fencing, driveway and accessory-structure relocation/addition at 240 Fourth Avenue South

The Design Review Commission considered an application for 240 Fourth Avenue South that included a front-yard picket fence, a driveway extension/alteration, the relocation of a historic accessory structure approximately 12 feet forward on the lot, and a proposed addition to that accessory structure. The commission approved the fence and driveway with staff conditions and approved the relocation and addition to the accessory structure over staff’s recommendation.

Emily, preservation staff, described the principal building as a 1-story bungalow (1920s) with a contributing 1-bay garage accessory structure (built 1925). Staff found the proposed 3-foot tall wood picket front-yard fence appropriate and recommended approval subject to the gate design being differentiated from the fence. For the driveway, staff said the proposed driveway extension is tucked behind the principal building and appropriate within the guidelines. For the accessory structure, staff recommended denial because the guidelines “highly discourage relocation of historic accessory structures” and because the proposed addition increased the accessory’s height and mass to a level staff found not subordinate to the principal building per the guidelines. Staff nevertheless provided conditions in case the commission chose to approve.

Applicant representative Ben McCrary of Chisel Workshop asked the commission to consider the approval, noting that the applicant sought to minimize the addition’s size and keep it compatible with adjacent properties; he said the new structure remained much smaller in scale compared with nearby buildings and the principal house. Commissioners debated the application in parts: they first approved the fencing with staff conditions (the gate design to be returned to staff for approval), then approved the relocation and addition to the accessory structure (a motion explicitly stated it was contrary to staff’s recommendation but accepted staff concessions if approved), and finally approved the driveway alteration with staff conditions. The accessory-structure approval included the use of carriage-style segmented garage doors and required window specifications to be provided to staff prior to permitting.

Commissioners supporting approval said the revised placement kept the historic accessory on the lot and created a usable garage while remaining visually subordinate to the principal house; others acknowledged staff’s guideline preference against relocation but concluded the revised design and reduced mass met the neighborhood context. Staff will require window specifications and other material details before permits are issued.