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Preservation in Ocean Grove Everything you ever wanted to know about the Historic Preservation Commission* *But were afraid to ask Don't fence me in! Dear Miss Victoria Anna, I have small children and need to install a fence. What type of fence can I put up on my Ocean Grove property? - Signed, Woodrow & Mary Lee Stokes As I have said many times, one of the earliest concepts for Ocean Grove was that it was a community based on neighborliness. The small lots and minimal private open space were designed so that neighbors could interact easily. The picket, pipe rail and Victorian cast iron fences found in front yards were, therefore, historically quite low (in some cases as low as only 12" tall). The fences defined private open spaces rather than seperated the private spaces visually from the street. While today the desire for fencing is more evident than historically, design and height guidelines incorporate the early concepts of openness and community in defining what are acceptable fences. The current Neptune codes limit fences in front yards to no more than 30 inches, (2 1/2 feet) in height. Wooden picket fences, pipe rail fences, "Victorian" cast iron fences and low hedges are all appropriate choices. The variety of pickets seems endless. Pickets can have flat, rounded, pointed or gothic (shaped) tops. The fences themselves can be straight or curved, also known as scalloped. Fence posts can be plain or capped with appropriate finials. The specific type fence chosen should compliment the syle of the home it surrounds. Fences in side yards can be taller - up to 4 feet in height. In addition to the fence types appropriate for front yards, wooden board on board fences have pickets that alternate on either side of the supporting horizontal rail. This gives them enough openness to allow the flow of air that has always been central to Ocean Grove planning. In rear yards, fences can go up to 5 feet in height. Homeowners occassionally opt to add a 12 inch to 15 inch framed lattice on the top of a board on board fence to achieve this height while visually diminishing the solid appearance of the fence. My good friend, historian Ted Bell, often says that chicken wire fences were also historically common in rear yards. These fences consisted of a heavy gauge wire grid stretched on 3 - 4 inch wide frames enclosed on top and bottom by rails. All these fences are historically appropriate. While stockade fences and post and rail fences can be historic, their period and style do not correspond to Ocean Grove's "Victorian Seaside vernacular" style and are therefore not appropriate. Likewise, modern chain link, masonry block and thin wrought iron fences are not acceptable. While Ocean Grove is a "lighthearted" seaside community, fence colors are not bold and "boutique". The fences are white, dark green, black, brown, grey or unfinished metal. These earth-toned fences are neither multi-colored nor patterned. Painted wood is the material of choice for picket, board on board and lattice fences. Vinyl is strongly discouraged, especially in front yards. (Remember, in my youth vinyl wasn't around or had even been discovered!) In short, there are many options in selecting attractive, appropriate fences which will compliment your home's style while adhering to Ocean Grove's concepts of neighborhoodliness, openness and good, clean air flow! Sincerely,
Miss Victoria Anna Housen
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