Historic Preservation Committee approves vinyl picket fence at 1st Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs

The Ocean Springs Historic Preservation Committee approved a certificate of appropriateness on April 16 allowing 1st Presbyterian Church to replace an existing fence at 921 Ocean Avenue with a 4-foot white vinyl picket fence to be installed in the same location.

Greg Warch, executive director of operations for the church, told the committee the project would replace the existing fence "in the same location," and said he supported the proposed design. A committee member asked whether the proposal simply substituted vinyl for wood; the member said the aesthetic continuity mattered and moved to approve the replacement "of the picket fence at 1st Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The request had been presented as a certificate of appropriateness to remove the existing fence and construct the new picket-style fence in the same footprint. Committee discussion focused narrowly on materials and appearance rather than changes to setback or location; committee members repeatedly emphasized that maintaining the intended aesthetic was the primary consideration.

The committee did not identify any changes to the fence location or additional conditions in the hearing. After the vote the committee noted the item would appear on an alternate docket and confirmed the next regular meeting would be held the following week at 6 p.m. The panel then moved to adjourn.

The committee’s formal action: approval of the fence replacement at 921 Ocean Avenue for 1st Presbyterian Church; no further conditions or delays were recorded on the transcript.