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Board asks owner to lower completed 5-foot fence to 4 feet in historic district
Summary
The board approved staff’s recommendation that a five-foot front-yard fence at 323 Divine Street be modified to 4 feet to conform with historic-district guidelines after the work was completed without a certificate of appropriateness.
The Compliance and Technical Advisory Board on Aug. 22 voted to approve staff’s recommendation that a recently installed five-foot black rod-iron fence at 323 Divine Street be modified to 4 feet to align with historic-design guidance for front yards.
Owner Craig Hutchinson said safety concerns—repeated late-night disturbances, drug paraphernalia found on the property and a nearby bus stop—motivated the work. A stop-work order had been issued after staff learned the fence was installed without a certificate of appropriateness; the owner applied for a COA after the stop order.
Staff and the Lavaca Neighborhood Association voiced support for the material and design but recommended lowering the height to the 4-foot historic guideline; city code allows 5 feet outside of historic districts. Brian, the case manager, said the fence’s design and materials were acceptable but the historic-design guideline calls for a 4-foot maximum in front yards within historic districts. The board voted to accept staff recommendations, directing the owner to work with staff on compliance.
The motion carried on a roll-call vote.
