4619 Banks St.

District: Mid City - Partial Control

Owner: Siljan Dusty C

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Zach Smith Consulting

Permit #: 25-09366-HDLC

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition states that the demolition of all or portions of historic resources within a local Historic District or Landmark site are considered drastic actions, since they alter the character of the area. Once historic resources or buildings that contribute to the heritage of the community are destroyed, it is generally impossible to reproduce their design, texture, materials, details and their special character and interest in the neighborhood. When reviewing demolition applications at properties located within a Historic District or at a Landmark site, the HDLC uses the following criteria in its evaluations:

• The historic or architectural significance of the building or structure as designated by its “rating”: Contributing

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:  FEMA survey research estimates the 4619 Banks street was constructed from 1920-1930. The two-story building is a wood framed building that sits on masonry piers clad in wood siding. The front porch is brick and sits on top of it's own pier system.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: None known.

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: The two-story, single-family building retains most, if not all, of it's original Craftsman detailing.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District: The circa 1920s single-family is a fine example of Craftsman architecture that proliferates the Mid-City historic district and contributes to the rhythm of the block face of Banks street.

• The condition of the building or structure: An HDLC Inspector conducted an interior and exterior inspection on April 1, 2025. The building appeared to be in poor to fair condition and has not been occupied since 2005. The building retains it's wood windows, wood weatherboards, chimney, brackets and rafter tails. The asphalt shingle roof appeared to be at the end of it's life cycle. The wood weatherboards were in tact. HDLC Staff noted that there was a visible lean to the building from the exterior. The porch has visible cracks on both sides and is pulling away from the main portion of the building. Wood destroying insect damage was visible in the soffits and roof line.

The interior of the building retains all of it's Craftsman detailing. However, there was a severe deflection in the floor. Additionally, there was evidence of wood destroying insect damage throughout. In the first floor the exterior wall had pulled away from the second floor joists suggesting structural failure of the super structure (See below).

Staff Recommendations: 

Even though the building has retained many of it's key architectural features, there are major structural deficiencies that would require remediation. This would be extremely cost prohibitive and may require significant reframing of the exterior. As such, Staff has no objection to the demolition to grade.

• Staff Recommendation: No objection