District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control
Owner: Ruba1 LLC
HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy
Rating: Non-Contributing
Applicant: Yaser Mohammad
Permit #: 25-08050-HDLC
Description: Retention of installation of new visually prominent exterior access stair and second-floor door opening at the front elevation of a Non-Contributing rated two-story commercial building without a Certificate of Appropriateness.
HDLC Design Guidelines:
11: 19 – Guidelines for Commercial Buildings
08: 12-13, 20 – Guidelines for Windows and Doors
09: 7,11 – Guidelines for Porches, Galleries and Balconies
Retention Items:
Exterior Access Stair: Denial with recommendation that applicant can work with Staff on a code-compliant and building-compatible stair at this location or right-side elevation
Door Opening: Denial
Staff Recommendations:
The owner of this property recently installed a new wood access stair and second-floor door opening at the front elevation of the building without a Certificate of Appropriateness or building permit issued. The stair does not appear to meet the HDLC Guidelines because it is visually prominent at the primary elevation and because the design, detailing, and materials do not appear to be compatible with the existing commercial building. The applicant is now requesting retention approval for the stairs to remain as currently installed. However, this will also require separate additional BBSA waiver approval due to the building code deficiencies.
While the existing building is considered Non-Contributing rated and utilizes non-historic building materials, it is prominently visible along the historic Joseph Guillaume Place corridor. Additionally, the HDLC Guidelines note that access/circulation stairs are strongly discouraged where visible from the public right of way, and should instead be integrated into the building's interior envelope. Where visible access stairs have been required in the past, the ARC and HDLC Staff have worked closely with applicants to integrate them as much as possible into the existing building and surrounding historic streetscape.
Based on these factors, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention of the new exterior access stair and second-floor door opening and encourages the applicant to further explore the feasibility of relocating this vertical circulation at the interior of the building envelope. Alternatively, if an exterior stair is necessary, the applicant can submit a new application and can work with HDLC Staff on a code-compliant and building-compatible stair at this location or at the right-side elevation.
Case History:
03/17/25: HDLC reviews access stair informally with BBSA and code deficiencies are confirmed. The owner can submit a BBSA appeal request, however, this is unlikely to be granted based on the current stair design and detailing.
03/14/25: Retention application submitted.
03/11/25: Property cited for working without a CofA violation for installation of inappropriate exterior access stair, new 2nd floor door, and construction of new trash enclosure without HDLC approval.
03/08/25: Neighbor complaint received that exterior work at the building is being completed without a Certificate of Appropriateness or building permit issued.