3028 Dauphine St.

Staff Recommendations: : 

The FEMA survey estimates that 3028 Dauphine Street was constructed between 1920 and 1930; however, the building first appears on the 1937 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. The applicant is requesting approval to install a 7’-0” tall fence at the front property line.

The Guidelines state that metal picket fences located within the front yard cannot exceed 5’-0” in height, including the chain wall. If installing a metal picket fence, the pickets should be solid and punched through the horizontal bar, while pickets welded onto a bar are not permitted. The Guidelines further emphasize that fences, walls, and gates should be historically consistent in style with the type and style of the main building and should maintain heights and front property line setbacks that are consistent with adjacent fences to preserve neighborhood character and streetscape consistency .

In this case, the property is a residential structure, and the front yard fence is a highly visible element that plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic of both the building and the surrounding historic neighborhood. A 7’-0” tall fence at the front property line would be visually prominent, and inconsistent with the established pattern of front yard fencing along the street.

While staff understands the applicant’s desire for increased security, the proposed front fence height and design would negatively impact the visual consistency of the streetscape and is not in keeping with the intent of the HDLC Guidelines for front yard treatments.

For these reasons, staff recommends denial of the proposed fence height.