Homeowners at 429 Sherwood told to resubmit fence plan after ARB flags prohibited stockade style

Homeowners Chris Reeves and Rosa asked the Webster Groves Architecture Review Board on May 7 to allow a black metal front-yard fence they said would be more durable than vinyl. Board members concluded the proposed design resembles a vinyl stockade fence, which the board said is explicitly disallowed for front yards, and advised the applicants to resubmit a black metal 'ornate privacy' design that appears on the approved list.

Carol Dunkey cited the board's fence guide and told the applicants, "the vinyl stockade fence is specifically listed as 1 that is not allowed in front yards." The board noted that the Crofton-facing side of the property is technically a front yard under zoning ordinances and therefore subject to the front-yard fence standard.

The homeowners said they preferred metal for longevity and offered to proceed with vinyl if required. "We were just looking to do the metal because it would last longer and look better than the vinyl," one homeowner said. The board suggested metal in the 'ornate privacy' configuration — a mostly solid lower section with a more open decorative top — as an acceptable pathway to achieve a black metal look without adopting a prohibited stockade appearance.

Chair Bob Buckman said the board would table any vote and urged the homeowners to consult the approved fence types and resubmit a conforming design. The board did not vote to approve the submitted design during the meeting.

Next steps: the homeowners were asked to select an ornate-privacy option and resubmit for administrative review or a future ARB agenda.