Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
ARB allows 6-foot black metal front-yard fence in Montauk, cites safety and screening plans
Loading...
Summary
The board approved a 6-foot black metal fence near a pool on 2nd House Road in Montauk after the owner's representative cited late-night foot traffic and safety concerns; members urged more vegetation to screen the fence.
The Architecture Review Board approved an existing 6-foot black metal fence along the front yard of a Montauk property on 2nd House Road, concluding that the safety and privacy concerns raised by the owner outweigh the board's normal reservations about front-yard fencing in residential contexts.
Tara Burke, speaking for the property owner, said the fence was installed to prevent late-night guests from entering the pool area and emphasized the owner's concern because an infant lives on the property: "He's very concerned about foot traffic...they plan to vegetate in front of it to soften the look." Board members noted the fence is set back from the road, that plantings are in place and that additional screening (bayberry or cedars) would reduce visual impact as the vegetation matures.
Although some members said they would prefer vegetation over fencing in a quiet residential street, they also acknowledged the site's high foot-traffic conditions and the owners's investments in landscaping and remediation. The motion to approve the fencing as installed passed by voice vote; the board recommended additional screening and reminded the owner to ensure pool-compliant gates and locks are in place.
Next steps: owner to continue plantings and confirm pool-gate compliance with the building department; staff will send a standard approval notice.
