On Thursday, November 5, 2026, we appeared before the Orleans Old King’s Highway Historic District Committee to ask for approval of the five-foot fence we installed at our home on Bakers Pond Road.
What happened
- Committee members expressed opposition to the fence’s location in the front of the property and to its privacy-style design, saying it was inappropriate under historic district standards.
- We explained the property’s physical limits: a backyard that slopes toward wooded wetlands, wetland buffer and conservation restrictions, and a driveway with roughly an eight-foot drop.
- We described why Meadow, who has epilepsy, and Venom, a 1-year-old working-line shepherd, need a secure place to exercise, and the significant cost of moving or removing the fence.
- During the hearing, we also raised concerns about how our circumstances were considered.
The outcome
The committee voted 2–1 to continue our application rather than issue a final denial. The hearing is scheduled to continue on December 5, 2026.
What’s next
Our application is scheduled to be heard again on December 5, 2026. We’re gathering additional information about the property and our dogs’ needs, and we look forward to continuing the conversation with the committee. We’ll post an update after the hearing.