2413-2415 Burgundy St.

Staff Recommendations: 

The applicant has provided evidence that the previous owner of the building completed the work to remove the chimneys, without HDLC approval, sometime between February and August 2021. Based on Pictometry images, it appears the chimneys were removed prior to Hurricane Ida on August 29, 2021, and so their removal was likely not a direct result of damage from that storm. 

Chimneys are considered important exterior architectural building features and their rhythm and placement reflect the interior layout of the historic building. As such, the HDLC Guidelines require that they be repaired and maintained, and can only be approved for removal by the Commission where thoroughly documented to be structurally deficient. 

Because the current owner did not complete the chimney removal work, they are not able to provide documentation on the previous condition of the chimneys prior to their removal, as is typically required to review such requests. Based on this, Staff has no objection to the request for retention. However, Staff would like to iterate that this lack of an objection should not be misconstrued as condoning such an inappropriate removal or work completed without approval.