611-617 S Peters St., 626 Commerce St.

Staff Recommendations: 

Storefront Awning Removal

Based on Sanborn map research, the existing masonry and steel warehouse building was constructed after 1950 and is considered Non-Contributing rated. HDLC recently observed exterior work at the property without a CofA, including removal of the metal storefront awning. Based on street view photos, the soffit does appear to have been deteriorating over time, likely due to deferred maintenance. While the awning may have been an original element of the façade, it appears the overall building has been substantially altered over the years and the current use of the building no longer corresponds to its original design. For example, the building is currently used as vehicle parking and is open-to-the-air due to the removal of the right-side wall sometime before 2007. The storefront is also no longer used for commercial activity and the windows below the awning have all been removed since around 2008.  Based on these factors and the Non-Contributing rating of the building, Staff has no objection to the request for retention for the awning removal provided the remaining metal outriggers are fully  removed with the wall patched and repaired, as necessary.

Inappropriate Fencing

The applicant installed new metal fencing and gates at several locations around the existing warehouse and along the property lines of the adjacent vacant lot without a CofA. Metal fencing was also installed directly against the warehouse building façade at the open storefront windows facing South Peters, which is considered an inappropriate use of fencing. A more appropriate solution for this area would be to locate the fencing at/near the front property line (or) to secure the openings with new storefront window units or simple framed metal screens set within the depth of the openings, for example. The fencing at the rear along Commerce Street was installed with an inappropriate gate post modification and extraneous posts. Additionally, the specific detailing of the fencing does not meet the HDLC Guidelines because the vertical pickets are hollow rather than solid, the horizontal members are face-welded to the pickets rather than punched through, and the fence posts lack appropriate caps for water protection. Based on this, Staff recommends denial of the inappropriate fencing installed at the warehouse window openings, and has no objection to the retention of the remaining fencing provided that appropriate post caps are installed.

Façade Remnant Demolition

The previously existing façade remnant at this property was cited for Demolition by Neglect in 2018 due to its deteriorated masonry and metal elements. An application for repair was submitted at this time by the current owner and a CofA was issued that included the additional removal of approximately 3'-0" of deteriorated brick coursing at the top of the remnant to help further stabilize it. It was also noted at the time that it was not in Imminent Danger of Collapse. It appears this repair work was successfully completed by February 2020, however, a final inspection was not requested. The applicant states the façade remnant was damaged by a garbage truck accessing bins on the site and partially collapsed before it was removed. However, they did not contact HDLC Staff or Safety and Permits at that time and did not document the damage with photographs. 

The façade fragment appears to have been a remnant  of two previously existing Contributing rated three-bay, two-story masonry and cast iron Greek Revival storefronts. While the façade to the right was likely altered to accommodate a wider garage door opening, the trabeated granite construction may have retained at least two original cast-iron columns and appeared to have been in fair to good condition following the approved masonry repair work in 2018 and prior to its demolition. 

Based on these factors, because the remnant was a portion of a previously existing historic resource that contributed to the tout ensemble of the surrounding historic district, and because the applicant did not attempt to contact HDLC Staff for review and approval of this work in advance, Staff recommends approval of the request for retention of the remnant demolition and recommends the Commission levy a small fine for this unpermitted work. The fine range is $1,000 to $25,000.