Title
HPC11-13, 605 - 635 Elm St., East Elm Street HOA, Stephen Harrell, HOA President, Land Lot 415
Body
Item Summary:
The applicant is requesting a Certification of Appropriateness for the purpose of erecting a wooden privacy fence along the south side of the complex's concrete drive. The fence will run parallel to the north property line of parcel 12.
Staff Report:
Background
The "Elm Street Cottages" project was reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission at several meetings from July 2001 through August 2002. The application was ultimately denied by the Historic Preservation Commission on August 14, 2002, based on the size and scale of the project. The applicant appealed the decision of the HPC to the Mayor and City Council on October 14, 2002. The Mayor and City Council affirmed the decision of HPC at this meeting.
The applicant filed suit against the City of Roswell in the Fulton County Superior Court over the matter and was heard on March 28, 2003. The final order issued by the Court was for the City to issue a certificate of appropriateness to the petitioners.
The present fence proposal was filed as a minor application in May 2011, but was denied by the HPC Chairman and staff with the determination that the privacy fence proposed is inconsistent with the Design Guidelines. The design guideline related to fencing states that "new fencing in yards fronting a street should use historic wooden picket, cast iron, or wrought iron designs appropriate to the style of the house." The guideline also states that traditionally fences maintained a transparent aspect and were of low height and that new fencing should follow these patterns.
The HPC Chairman and staff felt that additional landscaping could achieve the screening effect desired by the community and be more compatible than a privacy fence. The option to add plants such as the Oakleaf Hydrangea and Savannah Holly to buffer the view of the neighbor's back yard was discussed and the option to meet on site to discuss was offered. The second option offered was for the submission of the application for the fence to the full Historic Preservation Commission for review.
Proposal
The applicant's proposal is for the addition of a wooden privacy fence at the entrance to the Elm Street Cottages at 605-635 Elm Street and the adjacent property at 52 Sloan Street. The fence will be thirty five feet in length and will be eight feet in height at the point of origin
within the property and will terminate at the southwest corner of the property at four feet in height.
Zoning
The property is zoned H-R/H-R (Historic Roswell/Historic Roswell).
North: R-4/H-R (Multi Family Residential/Historic Roswell)
South: R-4/H-R (Multi Family Residential/Historic Roswell)
East: R-4/H-R (Multi Family Residential/Historic Roswell)
West: R-4/H-R (Multi Family Residential/Historic Roswell)
Design Guidelines
Fencing
Historic fences should be preserved and maintained. New fencing in yards fronting a street should use historic wooden picket or decorative twisted wire designs.
Fences in the early days of the neighborhood were utilitarian, controlling livestock and chickens. Today, they visually delineate property lines; most are constructed of the same modest materials of their predecessors. Existing historic fences should be carefully maintained. For new fence construction along public facades, traditional designs and materials that are in keeping with the area, such as wooden picket, decorative twisted wire, or simple wire fences are appropriate. Wrought iron fences do not fit the historic context of Mill Village or South Atlanta Street and are generally no acceptable. Chainlink, solid brick wall, concrete block and split rail fences should not be used. Existing fences of these inappropriate types should be painted a dark color and/or screened by the use of ivy, vines, or the use of evergreen plant material.
Staff Recommendation
The staff recommends the utilization of landscaping materials to achieve a screening effect. Should a fence be deemed appropriate by the HPC, the staff recommends the following:
1. A picket fence which tapers to a maximum height of 4' at the street and possesses a minimum spacing between the pickets should be utilized in combination with landscaping.
2. The fence shall not extend into the Elm Street Right-of-Way.
Materials
Application/Project Description
Minor Application Denial Letter
Fencing Worksheet (provided by contractor)
Site Photos
Fence Location Information
Site Aerial
Presented by:
Cherith Marshall, Planner II