Nash Farm historic landmark designation moves forward

During the meeting, some residents raised questions about the amount of openings the fencing would include and whether the city-owned historic building could be preserved elsewhere.

Historic commissioner Ted Ware told residents the commission is charged with deciding the appropriateness of the building and the type of fencing. The commission has repurposed historic buildings in the past to save it, he said.

"Sometimes it is very difficult to save a piece of construction because of the space it takes up; lots are very expensive in Grapevine and more than they ever have been before," Ware said. "Sometimes it makes sense to work something into an existing project so you are able to preserve it."

The commission approved woven wire with barbed wire and wooden post fencing for the property as a move to secure future heritage breed animals at the farm. It would replace existing fencing on the property.

"There was some objection from folks who didn't want to have any fence," said David Klempin, the city's historic preservation officer. "Of those who did accept the idea of a fence was that it would be as invisible as possible, almost like it is not there."

Tami Bannister, who lives on Ball Street, told commissioners the fencing should be where it is now around College and Ball streets.

"I think the house, and the orchard and the pole barn should remain open for people to browse through and take their dogs walking through and that sort of thing," she said. "I think that a perimeter fence is really not appropriate for the farm."

Theresa Strayer, who helped build the farm's smokehouse with her husband and family, told commissioners there needs to be fencing around the property for security reasons.

"We have been out there enough to see things that we were really disturbed about," she said. "We hear ... someone was out there with their dogs and they dug holes over [the] vegetable gardens. So there is a certain amount of protecting the farm and just making sure it is an adequate fence that no one can get hurt."

The commission voted 3-2 to approve moving the Soil Conservation Service Office to the property for use as a training facility, classroom, meeting area, storage area and exhibit hall. The building would sit behind the farm's pole barn under a shade of trees.

The historic landmark designation could go before council and the planning and zoning as early as May 15, Klempin said. The recommendation to move the Soil Conservation Service Office to Nash Farm will require the consideration of the council and commission at a future date, he said.