610 David St.

Staff Recommendations: 

Constructed in ca. 1900, 610 David Street was a single shotgun residence with Craftsman detailing. The original shotgun received a rear addition between 1908-1940, that the created the "L" shape and separate entry. The frame building was a contributing building in the Parkview Historic District. Over the past four (4) years the building has had quite the battle to remain extant. 

In 2019 (#19-27450), an application for demolition to grade was reviewed and denied by the HDLC Commission, and  subsequently upheld by the City Council. In August 2021, an after hours report of suspected demolition resulted in a Safety and Permits Stop Work posting at the property. This Working Without a Permit violation (#21-06878) noted that heavy machinery was placed on site to begin demolition without prior approval. The building was sold to the current owner in October 2021. In early 2022, a structural renovation permit was opened to remove rear portions of the building and construct a camelback addition. The proposed area of demolition did not exceed the demolition percentage required for HDLC review. The HDLC sub-permit was closed out as a result. Prior to the issuance of the building permit another Safety and Permits Working Without a Permit violation case (#22-03963) was opened against the property for beginning demolition work. The rear portions indicated on the submitted plans were demolished before building permits were obtained. Following this incident, a building permit for the proposed scope of work was issued (#22-24784). 

Based on the photographs from the Safety and Permits case (July 2022) and those taken in March 2023, the building essentially existed in a demolished state during this period of time. On March 14, 2023, the contractor contacted the HDLC Inspector to establish a site meeting to inspect areas of wood rot and insect damage. The Inspector set a meeting date of  March 16, 2023. However, the next day (March 15, 2023), the building was reported as collapsed. 

Following the collapse, an HDLC Inspector took photographs of the site, and a demolition permit (#23- 07415) was submitted for the retention of the collapsed building. The applicant submitted photographs of bracing at the building prior to the collapse. The bracing does not appear to be correct or in any way supporting the structural members, of which, many seem to have been removed. Staff's review of the inspection photos also revealed what appear to be saw cuts at the roof rafters (see photos below). These conditions essentially destabilized the building resulting in its collapse. It is unclear however what the intentions were behind this work. 

Based on collective efforts to save the building from being demolished, attempts proved to be unsuccessful. Staff recommends retention of the demolition as the building is collapsed. If the Commission decides to levy a fine, the fine range would be $1,000-$25,000 as 15% of the assessed building value ($72,600) is $10,890. The fine can be 15% of the assessed building value or up to $25,000, which ever is greater.