Board approves taller front-yard masonry wall in Somerville Historic District

The Augusta Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 17 approved a variance permitting a masonry wall up to 5 feet 8 inches within the required 30-foot front setback at 822 Fleming Avenue.

Todd Kennedy, senior planner, told the board the property is a corner lot in the Somerville Historic District where a 6-foot wooden fence had been damaged by Hurricane Helene. The applicant seeks to replace that fence with a masonry wall that is in character with nearby historic walls. Kennedy said the Historic Preservation Commission had conditionally approved the masonry wall subject to the BZA’s approval of height and location.

Applicant Lee Catherine Booker told the board she wants the new wall to match existing walls on neighboring properties, described it as shorter and more attractive than the previous fence, and said she submitted neighbor letters of support.

Staff recommended denial under the variance criteria in section 33 but provided the board with conditional approval language to allow a 5-foot-8-inch masonry wall along the west property line within the front-yard setback. The applicant agreed to the conditions and the board approved the request unanimously (with Ms. Chivers recused from this application as noted earlier in the meeting).

Next steps: staff will issue a letter of approval and the applicant must follow any Historic Preservation Commission conditions and submit required plans for permitting.