630 Holland, Fence

MEMORANDUM TO:

Historic District Commission City of Saugatuck

FROM:

Grayson Moore Director of Planning & Zoning

MEETING DATE:

August 6, 2026

RE:

Historic District Permit Application, 630 Holland Street

REQUEST: The applicant is requesting retroactive approval for the replacement of a front yard fence along Holland Street. Construction of the new fence was noted by staff in late May 2026. A notice was sent to the property owners and zoning and historic district applications were received. The original wood fence was 42 inches (3.5 feet) high, and the replacement vinyl fence is 46 inches (approx. 3.83 feet) in height. As installed, the fence exceeds the three (3’) foot height limit for front yard fences but meets the setback requirement from the right of way. In order to comply with the Zoning Ordinance, the fence must be three (3’) feet or less within the front yard measured from the surface of the ground. While it is unclear when exactly the three and one-half (3.5’) fence was installed it would have been considered a existing nonconforming structure. Section 154.174(C)(1)(a) of the Zoning Ordinance states: A lawful nonconforming structure may not be enlarged, expanded or altered in any way which increases its nonconformity with the provisions of this chapter unless otherwise noted within this chapter. The nonconforming structure may be enlarged or altered provided that all such changes are in conformance with all provisions of this chapter at every structural level. As the existing nonconforming three and one-half (3.5’) foot fence was removed in its entirety and expanded it must be compliant with the current zoning regulations. Photos demonstrating the replacement and enlargement of the fence have been provided.

COMPLETENESS REVIEW: All applications to construct, alter, repair, move, or demolish any structure or install or alter any signage or fence structure in a historic district shall include the supporting plans and documents as specified by § 152.07 B. The applicant has provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed improvements. IDENTIFYING KEY ELEMENTS OF THE RESOURCES: 2. Non-Contributing Resources. Resources may not contribute to the historic character of the district for several reasons. Applicable reason(s) are stated below. a. Some are over 50 years old but their original design has been significantly altered. For these, even when documentation of the original design and details is available, the Commission must decide whether enough remains to justify restoration to the original design. Otherwise, the guidelines for additions and new construction should be applied (section V). 3. Identify Characteristics. Identify and give consideration to the elements and characteristics which are original to the resource, and those that are later but contribute to its history or architectural significance. a. All features, components and details which are original to the building should be preserved. They should not be covered with signs or new materials. b. Features which are damaged should be repaired whenever possible. Repair is always preferred over replacement. c. When replacement is absolutely necessary, the original element should be reconstructed as exactly as possible. d. When a feature is missing, it should only be reconstructed if there is a model or clear documentary evidence upon which to base the design. Otherwise, recognizably new but compatible designs may be necessary 4. The Surroundings. Identify the significant characteristics of the history and/or architecture of the surroundings and give consideration to the impact of the proposed changes on the integrity of the surrounding area. § 152.07 D. GUIDELINES: A. In reviewing applications and plans submitted under this chapter, the Commission shall follow U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Structures as set forth in 36 C.F.R. part 67, as amended. Additional guidelines may be developed and followed if they are equivalent in guidance to the Secretary's standards and guidelines and are approved by the Center. Any additional guidelines must be adopted by the Commission and approved by the City Council. In reviewing applications and plans, the Commission shall also give consideration to: 3

1. The historical or architectural significance of the resource and its relationship to the historic value of the surrounding area. 2. The compatibility of the exterior of the structure and the space around it with the visual or historical context of the surrounding area. 3. The impact of the exterior of the structure and the space around it on the village/rural character and contextual aesthetic of the city. 4. Other factors which the Commission considers to be pertinent. B. In exercising its authority to approve or deny an application under this chapter, the Commission shall exercise its educated judgment on a case-by-case basis in interpreting these guidelines and the following the applicable standards. II. PRIMARY STRUCTURES A. Materials, Maintenance, and Substitutes 1. Original Materials. On contributing resources, original materials shall be used for repairs and additions wherever feasible. (Note: Existing substitute siding or trim may be repaired with the same substitute materials without review, if less than 25% of the material needs to be replaced.) 3. Retaining Wood Features. Wooden features that contribute to the overall historic character of a building and a site should be retained and preserved. These features include, but are not limited to, such functional and decorative elements as siding, shingles, shakes, cornices, architraves, brackets, pediments, columns, balustrades, other architectural trim, porch ceilings, floors and facia. 4. Replacing Wood Features. a. If replacement of an entire wooden feature is necessary, it should be replaced in kind, matching the original design, dimension, detail, material and texture. Compatible substitute materials should be considered only if using the original material is not technically feasible. b. If replacement of a deteriorated detail or element is necessary, replace only the deteriorated detail in kind rather than an entire feature. c. If a wooden feature is completely missing, replace it with a new feature based on accurate documentation of the original feature or a new design compatible in profile, scale, size, material and texture with the historic building and district. IV. THE LAND & SITE IMPROVEMENTS C. Fences 1. Rear Yard Fences. Erection of fences on the rear, side (except on corner lots), or interior location of the lot, at or behind the building line may receive 4

administrative approval, when height and materials are similar to those regularly approved by the Commission. 2. Front and Side. Front and side yard fences should not impede clear vision at intersections or driveways, as they could sacrifice safety as well as historical appropriateness. Front yard fencing should not infringe upon or obstruct historic setbacks, vistas, streetscapes or neighborhood continuity. 3. Compatible Fences. Fencing shall be permitted contingent upon the appearance and appropriateness in relation to the building and Historic District. (Applicants should note that all fencing within the Historic District is also subject to the City Zoning Codes, Chapter 155.143.) 4. Height of Fences. Height should be between two (2) and six (6) feet, with a maximum height of three (3) feet for front yard fences. Materials should be wood, wrought iron, or other historic materials (some aluminum faux wrought iron products are allowed). Styles may include picket and wood privacy fences, with tops trimmed with horizontal boards or simple dog-ear detail. Other styles not listed will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Comment: The subject property at 630 Holland Street is a non-contributing resource within the Historic District and is located in the Community Residential (R-1) Zoning District. The application requests retroactive approval for a front yard fence that was installed prior to issuance of Zoning and Historic District permits. As discussed above, the replacement fence exceeds the maximum front yard fence height permitted by the Zoning Ordinance and will at a minimum need to be modified to three (3’) feet. Any relief from this requirement would need to be obtained through the appropriate zoning process. The replacement fence also changes the material from a painted wood fence to a white vinyl fence. The Historic District Guidelines recognize that fencing may be appropriate when it is compatible with the appearance of the principal structure and the surrounding Historic District. The guidelines identify wood, wrought iron, and other historically compatible materials as the preferred fencing materials, while also directing the Commission to consider the overall compatibility of the proposed fence with the surrounding historic context. In evaluating the application, the Commission should consider the compatibility of the fence's height, materials, design, scale, and location with the principal structure, surrounding Historic District, and the review criteria established in §152.07.

SUGGESTED MOTIONS: If the Historic District Commission determines that the proposed fence extension is appropriate and satisfies the applicable Historic District Guidelines, the following motion may be used: I move to (approve/deny) the applicant's request for a Historic District Permit for the retroactive replacement of the front yard fence at 630 Holland Street, (as proposed, as modified to ____________________) based on the application (meeting/not meeting) the applicable Historic District Guidelines set forth in §152.07 including consideration of the fence’s design, materials, and compatibility with the character of the historic district. Approval shall be subject to the following conditions (if applicable): a) The fence must comply with Zoning Ordinance height restrictions. b) ____________________________________________________________________ c) ____________________________________________________________________ d) ____________________________________________________________________