Historic board approves 8‑foot cedar privacy fence at 406 William Street

The Rockwall Historic Preservation Advisory Board unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness for a privacy fence at 406 William Street in Old Town Rockwall.

Staff described the property as a medium-contributing ranch-style home with an accessory structure and said the applicant requested an 8-foot cedar horizontal board fence on the west property line and a 4-foot wrought-iron fence along other boundaries. "We allow a 6 to 8 foot wood fence," Ryan Miller, City of Rockwall staff, told the board, adding that horizontal cedar is permitted if the materials meet UDC requirements.

Applicant Claire Shipman said she is remodeling the house for a family member and seeks privacy from neighboring multi-family housing while preserving views to the nearby park. "We're trying to create privacy from the neighbors on that side and leave everything as open as possible on the other side," Shipman said.

Staff noted an unimproved right-of-way between the subject property and the eastern neighbor; the proposed wood fence will stop at the front facade of the house and "will not come any closer to 66 than where the house is today," staff said, so no additional visual obstruction of Highway 66 is expected. The board approved the motion to allow an 8-foot horizontal cedar fence on the west and 4-foot wrought iron on the south and east as proposed; the motion passed 6–0.

Next steps: The applicant must obtain a fence permit before construction; staff reminded the board and public that work requiring a building permit in the historic district also requires a COA.