Michael Smith of 306 Bridge St. appeared before the Catasauqua Zoning Hearing Board recently to ask for a height variance needed for a fence he proposes to build along Crane Street.

Smith had earlier been granted a permit to build a swimming pool. With construction of the in-ground pool complete, local ordinances require that it be protected by a 4-foot high fence.

Catasauqua ordinances also restrict the height of the wall along Crane Street to permit adequate sight-line clearances or motorists at the intersection of Crane and Bridge streets.

To meet the conflicting requirements, Smith proposed a 3-foot high stonewall topped with an open iron fence.

"It would combine both elements that are presently installed along my property line with Crane Street," he explained to the board at the Aug. 19 hearing.

Smith is in the process of restoring the 19th-century historical home and desires to bring the grounds up to his exacting restoration standards.

"I am proposing that the wall be made of local, natural stone," he said. "I was able to secure some of the stone from an old barn that the borough had torn down on Willowbrook [Road]," he said.

As for the iron fence, there are two conflicting styles.

A Federalist-style surrounds the house along its Bridge Street frontage.

A different, commercial style was used along portions of Crane Street.

Smith is having a new fence custom made for the Crane Street property border.

"With my plan, I can meet the requirements for a 4-foot high wall around the pool area and with the open fencing provide a clear sight line for people in the Crane and Bridge Street intersection," he said.

According to Smith and confirmed by the board, there is a stop sign at Crane Street.

Smith removed older bushes that had blocked the sight line in prior years.

Older Google Map Street Views show the extent of the foliage that has been removed.

Smith said after the meeting he did not want to surround the pool with a standard fence that would detract from its design.

He indicated his goal is to maintain a 10-foot natural area around the pool, not a deck or a concrete pad.

Deb Mellish, who lives at 326 Bridge St., the neighboring house across Crane Street, asked the board to consider reducing the height of the stone wall.

"It would improve the sight line at that intersection," she said.

Borough Zoning Officer Eugene Goldfeder explained the 3-foot stone wall met zoning requirements for line of sight clearance.

"The 3-foot stone wall is OK under zoning," he said. "The question for the board is if the iron fence can be put on top of the wall."

The board unanimously agreed with Smith's plan and gave its approval for the stone wall topped with an open iron fence.