A plain, dated record of how we came to build the fence and where the historic district review stands now.
2026 · Installation
The fence goes in
We made a significant investment in a professionally installed fence: five-foot cedar privacy fencing with decorative caps, plus black chain-link sections. For the first time, Meadow and Venom had a safe, enclosed space to run.
We didn’t know at the time that the property was inside the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District.
2026 · Planning
We check before we build
Before installing anything, we consulted our fence contractor, Crosby Fence, and got approval from the Orleans Conservation Commission. We understood that no building permit was needed for a fence of this height.
No one told us that a separate approval from the historic district committee was also required.
2026 · After installation
The town tells us historic review is required
After the fence was installed, the town notified us that it needed review by the Old King’s Highway Historic District Committee. We applied for approval of the existing fence.
November 5, 2026
Hearing before the historic district committee
We appeared before the Orleans Old King’s Highway Historic District Committee to ask for approval of the fence as built. Committee members expressed opposition to the fence’s location and its privacy-style design, saying it was inappropriate under historic district standards.
We explained the property’s physical limitations, our dogs’ needs, the conservation restrictions, and the significant cost of relocating or removing the fence. During the hearing, we also raised concerns about how our circumstances were considered.
The committee voted 2–1 to continue our application rather than issue a final denial.
December 5, 2026 · Upcoming
Continued hearing
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.