5640 Burgundy St.

Description: Request to install decorative metal pedestrian and vehicle access gates and visually prominent HVAC equipment at an existing Contributing rated two-story, commercial building.

Staff Recommendation: 

5640 Burgundy is a contributing two-story building located in Holy Cross historic district. This building was constructed sometime between 1920-30 according to the FEMA survey and doesn’t appear until 1937 on the Sanborn Fire Insurance map. The applicant is requesting to install decorative metal pedestrian and vehicle access gates which cannot be approved at the Staff level. Per the HDLC Guidelines for site elements, the HDLC discourages, "Elaborate ornamental detailing for metal fences except at high-style homes." Staff recommends an alternative option by allowing the decorative metal gates to be installed as constructed, with a simple/solid metal security panel installed at the interior side so that the visual prominence of the custom gate design is reduced, so that the overall gates appear more like the adjacent opaque wood fencing.

The applicant is also requesting to install (1) new platform-mounted HVAC condenser on the rear covered porch roof, and (2) new wall-mounted mini-split condenser units at the left and right sides of the building. The two units proposed at the rear roof and on the Lamanche Street elevation will be visually prominent from the public right of way. While the  HVAC equipment is a modern necessity, the location and installation of the equipment can negatively impact the existing building and surrounding historic district. As per the HDLC Guidelines, mechanical equipment is required to be located where minimally visible from the surrounding streets. For location A at the rear roof, due to the highly visible from the street, and because there are other locations on the site where this unit could be more appropriately located, Staff recommends denial of the request. For location B, due to the highly visible from the street, and because it does not appear to meet the CZO requirements and will likely also require additional highly visible supply conduit, Staff recommends denial of the request. For location C, because this area has minimal visibility from the public right of way behind existing site fencing, Staff has no objection to the request. Staff also recommends the applicant consider relocating the rear roof-mounted unit to a new location at near/grade in the rear yard, and relocating the proposed Lamanche Street unit to the first floor of the Fats Domino side near to proposed Location C.

Recommendation: Fencing: Approval with proviso that a solid metal panel must be installed at the rear side of the new gates. HVAC: Denial of Locations A and B, and No Objection to Location C.

Context Photos:

Proposed Metal Fencing:

Context Photos for HVAC:

Current HVAC Drawings:

FEMA Survey:

Sanborn Map:

Street View: