At a meeting of the City of El Paso Historic Landmark Commission, commissioners approved a homeowner’s request to replace a rear chain-link fence with an 8-foot wood privacy fence at 1411 Fuel Street in the Sunset Heights Historic District. Staff had recommended a modification limiting the fence to 6 feet under the district design guidelines, but the commission approved the project as proposed by the applicant.

Staff presentation described the property as a contributing 1926 residence in the R-4-H zoning category and noted the proposed fence would sit toward the rear of the lot where the grade slopes down and would be minimally visible from the street or alley. Staff reviewed district guidance — which generally allows wood, rock, brick, or wrought-iron fencing and discourages chain link and cinder block — and recommended a 6-foot maximum in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior standards cited for character preservation.

The homeowner representative, Ricardo Aduelles, told commissioners the backyard grade is about 1½–2 feet lower than the driveway. Aduelles said measuring from the higher driveway grade would make a 6-foot fence effectively about 4 feet tall in the lower yard, and he requested an 8-foot fence so the lower portion would prevent people or pets from getting beneath it. “The fence from the grade of the backyard will be 8 feet,” Aduelles said, adding he planned to use metal posts rather than wood to resist termites and would follow permit recommendations on footing depth and anchors.

Commission members and staff discussed how fence height is measured — from the grade where the fence starts — and cautioned the applicant to verify footing depth because the lot and alley contain retaining walls and bedrock in places. Staff and commissioners noted the fence’s limited public visibility and that the City’s permit review (one-stop shop) will check structural details and footing depth.

A motion “to approve the fence as proposed by the homeowner representative” was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The commission directed the applicant to obtain a fence permit and to implement the City’s recommendations on footings and materials. The applicant asked whether adding a small gutter to the new porch roof would require separate approval; staff said a small accessory on the rear of the house is likely acceptable.

The commission then approved the consent agenda and adjourned. The next meeting was announced to be in two weeks.