2231 St Claude Ave.

Staff Recommendations: 

The applicant originally submitted a proposed roof plan showing the installation of new roof-mounted HVAC equipment as part of their larger renovation application to convert the former warehouse to a new commercial use. The HVAC was reviewed at that time and Staff discussed this equipment with the applicant at length. The applicant was made aware of the need to provide information on the size and location of the equipment and that it must be located and installed to be minimally visible from the surrounding public right of way, as per the HDLC Guidelines. Subsequently, when the HVAC application was submitted for this work, the applicant confirmed the number of units was reduced from 4 to 3, and the roof plan was then approved with the front-most unit removed and all others located as far to the rear and as close together as possible. Unfortunately, the approved roof plan and other details were not followed and the applicant and contractor made no effort to contact HDLC to discuss the changes that were made in the field. 

The front (and most visible) unit on the roof was installed close to the front building wall and was rotated 90 degrees such that the longer edge of the equipment was made more visible from the street. Additionally, the rear two units are considerably larger in overall size than the submitted and approved specifications. The equipment, as currently installed, is considered visually prominent from several vantage points along the St. Claude Avenue corridor.

Staff also has concern the installation of the front unit may not meet the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance which requires a minimum setback of 6'-0" and for the equipment to not be visible from the street. The current setback provided is only 3'-4" from the left side building wall. Based on this, and with the understanding that the cost of relocating the equipment could be prohibitive and that the equipment may still remain partially visible and potentially prominent from the street, Staff has no objection to the request for retention. However, Staff recommends a proviso that the CofA will not be issued until the applicant is able to verify the installation meets all Safety and Permits and CZO requirements (or) until they obtain a waiver from the Board of Zoning Adjustments.