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BAR approves fence, gate and handrail design at 530 East Main; front‑yard fence requires council special exception
Summary
The BAR approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new fence, gate and handrail at 530 East Main, but part of the proposed fence lies in a front‑yard area that will require a City Council special‑exception review; the BAR vote was 3–2.
The Board of Architectural Review voted 3–2 to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new fence, gate and handrail at 530 East Main Street, contingent on the applicant obtaining a special‑exception approval from City Council for the portion of the fence that sits in a front‑yard zoning area.
Staff explained the proposal includes replacement of an existing deteriorated perimeter fence, a decorative gate and a new handrail. Because the property’s front‑yard, as defined by zoning, prohibits fences above a specified height without special permission, the portion of the proposed fencing that sits in the front‑yard will need a special exception granted by council for construction to proceed at that location.
Andrew Nelson, representing the applicant, said the existing fencing is old and deteriorated; the proposal replaces it with custom ironwork by a local blacksmith. Board members raised alternatives including planting landscape barriers instead of fencing, or stepping the fence back to the upper wall around the corner to avoid the front‑yard exception. Staff noted that approval of a COA by the BAR would permit construction of those elements that are entirely on private property and within the BAR’s purview; any portion in the public/front‑yard zone will be acted on separately by council when the applicant seeks the special exception.
During deliberation, members expressed both sympathy for the applicant’s security concerns and caution about adding tall fences along the downtown mall. One board member urged the applicant to confirm that the handrail design meets building code graspability requirements prior to permitting. The board’s motion approved the COA for the proposed design as presented; the applicant was advised the front‑yard fence segment will be subject to council review for the special exception.
Action and next steps: the applicant may proceed with construction for the parts of the design that do not require a zoning exception. The front‑yard segment requires an application to City Council for a special exception; only if Council approves that exception can that segment be constructed as shown.
Provenance: staff presentation, applicant testimony and public comment are recorded in the transcript; the board voted 3–2 to approve the COA with the caveat that council review is needed for the front‑yard fence.
