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Commission approves after‑the‑fact front‑yard fence at 331 East Main Street
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Summary
The Murfreesboro Historic Zoning Commission granted after‑the‑fact approval for a 4‑foot wrought‑iron‑style fence at 331 East Main, citing the applicant's security concerns and finding the installation not detrimental to the front‑yard visual harmony; the vote carried on a split roll call.
The Murfreesboro Historic Zoning Commission on April 21 approved an after‑the‑fact application to leave a 4‑foot wrought‑iron‑style fence installed in the front yard at 331 East Main Street.
Staff planner Steven Anthony told the commission the property is a contributing structure in the East Main Street Historic District and described the fence as a no‑dig, black metal railing with Victorian decorative elements. He noted one other comparable front‑yard metal fence at 346 East Main, then asked the commission to determine whether the newly installed fence disrupted the visual harmony of the front area.
Homeowner Kim Schultz said she set the fence back about 8–9 feet from the sidewalk to keep a pedestrian path clear and to provide security for her dogs, porch plants and porch items. "It gives it enough room where my fence won't get in the way with people walking through there," Schultz said. She described the installed material as a scalloped black metal with decorative circles at the bottom and spiked tops and said the fence was intended to be permanent even though the current unit is a temporary style that could be fixed into the ground.
Commissioners pressed on placement, sight‑triangle/setback concerns and precedent. One commissioner said many fences in the district sit at the sidewalk line and expressed a preference for that placement because it is "more visually pleasing," while others pointed to the unique circumstances of the house — adjacent to a busy commercial parking lot — and the applicant's safety concerns.
After discussion, Commissioner Busey moved to approve the fence as installed; Vice Chair Belcher seconded. The clerk read a roll call: Miss Bridal — Aye; Miss Brown — Nay; Mister Busey — Aye; Mister Panisse — Nay; Vice Chair Belcher — Aye; Chair Davis — Aye. The motion carried and the request was granted.
The commission's approval allows the existing fence to remain as currently installed; commissioners signaled concern about permitting a pattern of front‑yard enclosures and discussed material permanence, recommending case‑by‑case review in similar circumstances.
