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Board approves 6‑foot wood fence, rear ADA deck and siding repairs at 313 Madison Street; gate to match fence
Summary
Palatka’s Historic Preservation Board approved a privacy fence, a rear ADA‑accessible deck, and routine exterior siding repairs for 313 Madison Street, and the board required the temporary gate be replaced with a gate that matches the approved wood fence.
The Palatka Historic Preservation Board on June 4 approved multiple elements of an application for 313 Madison Street in the North Historic District, including a six‑foot privacy fence, a southern yellow pine ADA‑accessible rear deck and routine siding replacement and repainting.
Planner Renee Brown summarized the application and noted the house contributes to a well‑defined historic neighborhood. Applicant Ryan Adams said he had spoken with neighbors and described a privacy fence to replace a failing chain‑link segment and a rear deck designed in part to provide improved access: "My brother is a quadriplegic. It's a better way for him to get into the house," Adams said.
Board members and staff discussed whether backyard elements visible from the street fall within the board's purview and whether a six‑foot fence behind the front facade complied with the municipal code. Senior planner Michael Hill explained that, per the ordinance, the front yard is defined by the front façade and that a six‑foot fence located behind the front façade would not violate the fence code.
The board first voted to approve the wood privacy fence as presented. Members then discussed a temporary black metal gate the applicant selected for cost reasons. One member proposed approving the metal gate conditioned on a requirement that the applicant return with a different gate design by the end of 2026; after discussion the motion was withdrawn and remade to allow a wood gate matching the approved fence instead. The board approved that motion. The board subsequently approved the back deck and routine siding repairs and repainting in the existing color.
An attendee identified herself as an abutter and questioned whether abutters must identify themselves; the board acknowledged the statement but did not change its vote on the application.
The approvals authorize the applicants to proceed with the described fence, gate matching the fence, deck and siding work consistent with the submitted packet and the city’s standards.
