DRC urges applicant at 98 East Main to restore previously approved metal fence or revert to exposed chain link pending bridge project

The Design Review Committee reviewed a request from the owner of 98 East Main Street about fencing installed around the property and gave guidance that the previously approved metal fence is the design most consistent with the district guidelines, while acknowledging practical constraints tied to the floodplain and a planned TDOT bridge project.

What the applicant said

Tyler Yixian, the applicant, said he had previously received a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) approval for metal fencing to match a patio fence but later was told by floodplain staff that replacement in the same floodplain location was not allowed, so he repaired the existing chain link with wood framing and removed barbed wire; he told the committee he was prepared to remove the wood framing and expose the chain link to eliminate the zoning violation, or, if acceptable, replace it with a 4‑board “horse fence” to match the opposite side of the bridge because TDOT is expected to reconstruct the bridge and remove/reinstall the fence during that work.

Staff and committee response

Elizabeth (staff) said the DRC previously approved a metal fence that matched the metal fencing around the patio and that the proposed 4‑board horse fence “does not align with the guidelines” because that fence style is not typical around commercial downtown buildings (it is appropriate on Franklin Road as an agricultural gateway). She also noted floodplain staff had approved the metal fencing location in place, and that wooden fencing in a floodplain would need rot‑resistant species such as cedar.

Committee discussion and outcome

DRC members generally favored restoring the previously approved metal fence to meet the guidelines. Members acknowledged the applicant’s budget and timing concerns — the applicant said TDOT will likely remove the front parking lot and patio during a future bridge project, making a costly metal fence less attractive — and recommended the pragmatic approach of removing the wood framing and reverting the yard to the exposed chain link (with barbed wire removed) until the bridge project occurs. Committee members also asked the applicant to coordinate with zoning/floodplain staff and Building and Neighborhood Services (BNS) about a compliance path.

Next steps

The applicant said he will either remove the wood framing to expose the chain link and work with staff on permitted options, or return to a future voting meeting if he decides to pursue the previously approved metal fence. Staff reiterated that final approval for any new or replacement fencing would be handled through the Historic Zoning Commission voting process.