2633 Saint Claude Ave.

District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control

Owner: Agnes M Huynh

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Husam

Permit #: 24-37975-HDLC

Description: Retention of installation of visually prominent roof-mounted commercial hood vents at a Contributing (but altered) rated, one-story commercial building without a Certificate of Appropriateness.

HDLC Design Guidelines:

11: 11, 21 – Guidelines for Commercial Properties

Retention Items:

Installation of Visually Prominent Roof-Mounted Commercial Hood Vents: No Objection

Staff Recommendations:

For the roof-mounted commercial hood vents, a mechanical fuel gas application was submitted on May 13, 2024 to install a new gas line to supply one stove, two fryers, and one new tankless water heater. HDLC Staff emailed the applicant on the same day to request confirmation on the water heater location and to verify if any other exterior equipment was proposed that may be visible from the surrounding streets. No response was received from the applicant for 3 months until a follow-up email was sent to request the necessary information again. The applicant then responded and noted the water heater would be installed at the interior and there was no other exterior equipment proposed. However, it appears that two very large and visually prominent hood vents were installed at the rear portion of the building as part of this work, without HDLC or Safety and Permits approval in advance.

The applicant has subsequently applied for the hood vent installation separately, which has been approved by Safety and Permits, confirming the current installation meets code and CZO requirements. Ideally, the new vents would have instead been located on the opposite side of the roof ridge so that their appearance and impact could have been minimized along the more residential Port Street side. However, because this necessary commercial equipment is already installed at the building and relocating it to the opposite side of the ridge could be cost prohibitive relative to its mitigating impact, Staff has no objection to the request for retention of the hood vents as currently installed.

Case History:

01/08/25: Applicant confirms they will replace the inappropriate T1-11 siding with new T1-11 siding that matches the adjacent existing more closely in size and profile, and retention of siding is removed from the request.
12/19/24: S&P approves after-the-fact installation of hood vents as currently installed under 24-37978-HOOD.
12/18/24: Application submitted for retention of roof-mounted hood vents and inappropriate siding replacement.
12/13/24: HDLC Inspector observes inappropriate siding replacement at building and visually prominent roof-mounted hood vents installed without permits and contractor at site agrees to stop work until the necessary approvals and CofA have been obtained.
08/30/24: Applicant responds and confirms all equipment will be located only at interior of building. HDLC completes mechanical application review and notifies S&P.
08/29/24: HDLC Staff sends follow-up email to applicant regarding necessary information needed to complete the HDLC review.
05/13/24: Mechanical application submitted for new gas line to supply one stove, two fryers, and one tankless water heater. HDLC Staff contacts applicant to request clarification on all proposed new exterior equipment, platforms, conduit, etc. that may be visible from a surrounding public streets. No response from applicant.