Cleveland Park Historical Society Architectural Review Committee
Monday, April 10, 2017
REPORT
ARC Members attending: Christine Hobbs, Lois Orr, David Kay, Win Brown, Stefan Hurray, Danny Ince, Phil Eagleburger, and Ron Ngiam.
Also attending was Carin Ruff, CPHS Executive Director.
HPA 17-298
3501 Newark Street, N.W.
Owners: Jim and Jane Manzi
Agent: Carolyn Brown, Donohue Stearns
The property is “the farmhouse” facing The Rosedale Conservancy to the south. The farmhouse is thought to be the oldest home still standing on its original site in Washington, DC, and the surrounding grounds with its terraced lawn have a history dating back to the 1700s. By the early 20th century, there appear to have been picket fences on the east and west sides of the house, but not across the front. The grounds of the Rosedale Conservancy are well used by neighbors and their dogs, as was intended at the time of the creation of the Conservancy. However, in recent years, neighbors and dogs have increasingly intruded on to the private property of the farmhouse. The owners wish to erect a fence along the south property line to block these intrusions. The proposal calls for an approximately 4 foot white picket fence.
The ARC sympathizes with the concerns of the home owners and supports the idea of a physical barrier between the “dog park” and the owners’ front yard. (The motion passed 7-1).
However, the ARC does not support the construction of a 4-foot high white picket fence. Such a fence would be too visible, solid and high. The ARC recommends a shorter, “invisible” fence, perhaps cable, combined with shrubs and landscaping to create a wide, not tall barrier; such a barrier would be more transparent and natural. (The motion passed 8-0.)
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