Historic commission denies front-yard fence at 606 South Main until development code is updated

The Middletown City Historic Commission denied an application to install a front-yard fence at 606 South Main Street, saying the question of whether front-yard fences are permitted should be resolved once the city's development code is updated.

Staff presented a photo and material sample for the proposed fence and commissioners clarified that the earlier tabling applied only to the fence (not paint or other elements). Commissioners described the pictured fence as unusual for the street and questioned whether it was period-appropriate for the historic district. One commissioner noted an apparent discrepancy between materials, observing the application listed a 3.5-foot height while others described it as closer to four feet.

A resident urged the commission to consider a code-level change, saying, "when I drive down Main Street, I don't see a ton of period fences in the front yard," and suggesting the upcoming ordinance rewrite could prohibit front-yard fences in historic areas unless they match documented period examples. Commissioners debated precedent, with one member asking why an earlier exception had been granted for another property and warning a new approval might set a domino effect.

A commissioner moved to deny the fence application "at least until the new development code is written," and the motion specified the applicant could reapply if the new code would permit the fence. The motion was seconded and a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes for Roger Daniel; Andy Pricker; Matthew Dixon; and Corey Barnes, carrying the motion to deny the certificate. The commission encouraged applicants to consider period-appropriate alternatives or to await the development-code update before reapplying.