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Historic Preservation commission approves Ocean Avenue fence and Sunset Avenue pool, tables Shearwater item
Summary
The Ocean Springs Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a 4-foot white picket fence at 915 & 921 Ocean Avenue and approved a pool, hot tub and driveway-widening at 1217 Sunset Avenue (subject to building-department review); the Shearwater certificate was tabled until the applicant can attend.
The Ocean Springs Historic Preservation Commission approved two certificates of appropriateness and tabled a third item at its May 2026 meeting.
The most consequential votes came on two property projects: commissioners recommended approval for a 4-foot white vinyl picket fence around a sport court at 915 and 921 Ocean Avenue, and they granted a certificate to allow a gunite swimming pool, hot tub, a 6-foot concrete walkway to a pier, a backyard fire pit and an 8-foot driveway widening at 1217 Sunset Avenue — the latter approval was explicitly made subject to review by the city building-permit department.
Why it matters: decisions about front-yard features and visibility set precedent for properties in the historic district. The commission reiterated that “modern recreation and mechanical features should not be visible from the public view,” and members said they want consistency when similar features appear in other neighborhoods.
Greg Ward, representing First Presbyterian Church, presented the Ocean Avenue fence proposal and said the new fence would match the scale of an existing fence and sit on three sides of an existing sport court. “It surrounds the sport court… front and the sides,” Ward said, describing the project as similar in scale to nearby fencing. A committee member moved to recommend approval and the motion was seconded; the commission adopted the recommendation by voice vote.
At 1217 Sunset Avenue, homeowners Jeremy and Melissa Holland requested approval for multiple hardscape and landscape changes, including tree work and the driveway expansion. Commissioners probed whether the side-yard tree posed structural or access issues; the applicant said limbs currently hang over the house and the tree could affect the foundation. “It’s gonna push the foundation up in the house,” the applicant stated. The commission approved the certificate but amended the action to make tree removal, trimming and any related permits contingent on review by the building department.
The commission also considered an outstanding Shearwater certificate but tabled that item after noting the applicant, Mr. Owen, was not present. Commissioners expressed concern that placing recreational features in front yards could conflict with the district guidelines and preferred to hear the applicant’s explanations and any information about precedent before deciding.
The meeting opened with a routine approval of the April 16 minutes and concluded after the commission moved to adjourn.
What’s next: the Shearwater certificate will return to a future agenda when the applicant can appear; the building department will handle permit review for approved work at 1217 Sunset Avenue as a separate administrative step.
