Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/365558
72 • SEPTEMBER 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS There are many considerations to take into account when replacing or repairing fencing in historic districts, with the main one being not to dras- tically alter the character of the sur- roundings. Here are some regulations published by the City of Detroit, Mich. regarding historic neighborhoods and districts. Detroit has many such his- toric areas, as do many other munici- palities. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and as always you must consult the actual ordinances before proceeding. The uniform pattern and relation- ships of front lawns, building setbacks and open spaces, street trees, fencing and sidewalks contribute to a collec- tive impression of a historic district. When historic landscape features are removed or relocated, or elements that are not compatible with the site are in- troduced, site vistas are destroyed and the historic character of a district is diminished. To understand this concept, one need only recall the great American elm trees that formed natural green canopies over the streets of so many Detroit neighborhoods up until the 1950s and how the disappearance of those trees impacted the character of those neighborhoods. Archival photographs depict the historic character of many Detroit neighborhoods as they once were. Victorian workmen's clapboard cot- tages and tiny front yards enclosed by wooden picket fences typifi ed neigh- borhoods like Corktown, the oldest neighborhood in the city. Solid board fence walls spanned the narrow spaces between these closely packed houses. On streets such as Vinewood and Lafayette, deep open yards surrounded elegant turn- of-the-century brick mansions and were embraced by decorative cast iron fencing, erected close to the facade around fl ower gardens, or in great expanse and at great expense, around the perimeter of the property, charac- teristically on brick foundation walls running between brick piers. There was never, however, a strong fencing precedent in Detroit neighborhoods and after the turn of the century, much of the iron went the way of the war effort. What fencing remained went out of fashion as the Industrial Age introduced newer and more affordable materials. Attitudes changed and fencing became virtually non-existent after the 1920s, replaced by a move toward broad green, fenceless expanses. Yet, what little historic fencing remains or the lack of fencing that exists in our historic districts makes the same contribution as the elm trees did and has the same impact when re- moved, relocated or erected without historic precedence. Today's homeowners in historic districts face challenges that require remedies that often differ from the historic dictates, i.e. what fencing may or may not have existed. The Design Guidelines for Fenc- es and Hedges are proposed to offer the homeowner guidance in the in- troduction of new construction or re- placement with new materials while protecting those elements of a historic district that have been identifi ed as signifi cant in defi ning the overall his- toric character of the neighborhood. For the purpose of these guide- lines, fencing shall mean any living natural planting or man-made struc- ture, not integral to any building, used as a barrier to defi ne boundaries, screen off, or enclose a portion of the land surrounding a building. The recommendations of The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings must be followed prior to the removal or the replacement or construction of any fencing element in the landscape of the historic district. Here are some key points: Where historic fencing exists Do not remove historic fencing, walls, or other fence elements. Retain historic fencing mate- rials including metal, brick, stone and wood and the masonry of walls. Maintain and preserve all historic features, including rails, posts and newels, fi nials, railings, columns and piers, coping and walls. Care for and appropriately maintain historic hedg- ing and living fencing. Each of these elements conveys architectural and historical character through texture, ornamentation and design. Repair is preferred over replace- ment. Repair deteriorated sections of historic fencing and walls with ma- terials of a matching design, texture, and color whenever possible. Replant areas of historic hedging with a matching species. Replace only portions of fencing exhibiting signifi cant deterioration, Repairing or replacing fencing in historic districts is a whole 'nother ball game continued on page 74 4 Learn More at: AmericanFenceAssociation.com Email: memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com Call: 800-822-4342 Reasons to Become an AFA Member [ 4 ] [ 3 ] [ 2 ] [ 1 ] When you join the AFA, you get full access to a wide array of education programs, tools of the trade, a comprehensive Membership Savings Program, and so much more! Immediate access to the Member Savings Program - group buying power discounts on shipping, leasing, business forms, equipment, employee services, and more. Listing in Find-A-Contractor and Request-A-Quote services. Substantial discounts on education at FENCETECH, Fence Industry Week and on exams for CFP, CAGOI and CAGSD. Free access to online fence shop drawings, safety manuals, Fencepost, FenceSense, AFA logos and more on the AFA website.