1003 Independence St.

Staff Recommendations: 

Constructed in ca. 1890, 1003 Independence Street is a corner building with combined Craftsman and Victorian-era architectural detailing. Originally constructed as a double shotgun, the building was converted into a single-family residential building in 1993. On March 22, 2023 the HDLC received a neighbor complaint regarding ongoing work at the property including the removal of a chimney. Less than 30 minutes later, an HDLC Inspector posted a Stop Work on the building. By that time an additional chimney had been removed. 

Following the Stop Work, an application was submitted for a larger scope of work including the retention of the demolished chimneys. As seen in the before and after photographs (below), the rhythm and placement of the existing chimneys not only added to the overall aesthetic interest of the building, but also reflected its internal organization.  Although the HDLC does allow for the removal of structurally deficient chimneys, that opportunity was not provided, and the chimneys were demolished without HDLC review or approval. 

Although reconstructing the chimneys would be preferable, the standard course of action in this situation is to allow retention of the removed material. Staff has no objection to the retention of the demolished chimneys. Staff would like to reiterate that any work completed within a full control HDLC district requires the review and approval of the HDLC prior to commencement of work.