906 Poland Ave.

Staff Recommendations: 

FEMA survey research indicates the existing building was constructed sometime between 1920 and 1930, and it first appears on the 1937 Sanborn map. The building appears to have retained much of its original type, style, scale, massing, footprint, and roof form up until the time the renovation and camelback addition were reviewed previously. Additionally, it appears to have retained many of its original exterior architectural features. These include decorative wood fascia, wood brackets, a multi-light wood dormer, and wood windows. The building also preserved its wood entry door, narrow-exposure wood weatherboards, and tapered wood columns on rusticated masonry porch bases.

On June 19, 2017, a Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) was issued for a renovation and new two-story camelback addition. The original permit approved 56% roof demolition and 59% exterior wall demolition. In January 2019, work commenced on the renovation and camelback addition. By October 2020, foundation piers for the rear camelback were installed on-site. However, progress appears to have stalled at this point, and no significant construction work followed.

On November 15, 2022, HDLC completed a site inspection and found the property to be in very poor condition and improperly protected from the elements. The building was cited for Demolition by Neglect (DbyN), which HDLC defines as neglecting maintenance to the point where structural stability or weatherproofing is compromised. The cited violations included missing, deteriorated, or compromised structural members, weatherboards, roof shingles, flashing, soffits, fascia, and masonry/stucco. In response, on December 19, 2022, the owner applied for a new CofA to address the DbyN violation conditions. However, this CofA was not issued because the applicant did not respond to requests for additional information.

On February 1, 2024, HDLC Plan Reviewer Chase Klugh met with the owners at the site to discuss the construction delays, the condition of the remaining historic building, and progress at the site moving forward. Because the owners explained that the neighbor dispute over termite-infested trees along the property line had been resolved, he agreed to grant a CofA extension under the condition that the work follows the original approved plans and that all measures are taken to ensure the stabilization and maintenance of the remaining historic building fragment. 

Despite these extensions, an inspection on June 13, 2024, revealed no work had been done to address prior violations or to stabilize, protect, and preserve the remaining historic building from further deterioration. Additionally, the building appears to have deteriorated further due to the continued neglect and lack of preventative measures. The property was once again cited by HDLC for Demolition by Neglect, with additional violations including open, missing, or improperly boarded windows and due to the rear of the building being open to and susceptible to the elements.

HDLC Inspector Alex Nassar and Plan Reviewer Dennis Murphy met with the owners at the site on September 19, 2024 to evaluate the current conditions and to discuss the previous delays and the expectations moving forward. HDLC Staff reiterated their concerns about the continued deteriorating conditions of the remaining historic building and advised the owner to promptly complete basic remedial actions to protect the destabilized building and to arrest the continued deterioration of its historic fabric and exterior architectural features. The owner indicated that they planned to retain the remaining portion of building, would take action to address the deteriorating conditions, and to remain in better communication with HDLC Staff regarding construction delays, issues, and changes. However, HDLC Staff did not receive any correspondence from the applicant following this site visit. 

On February 24, 2025, HDLC Inspector Alex Nassar posted a Stop Work Order at the property after it was observed that additional exterior wall demolition had been completed at the building without HDLC review or approval, and in deviation of the previously approved plans. The property was then cited for working without a CofA. The owner was then notified that this work is considered partial demolition and that additional full Commission approval for retention is required. 

Despite multiple opportunities and generous time to address the violations and to secure and stabilize the building, the owners have repeatedly failed to act in a good faith manner. The owner’s prolonged neglect and continued lack of attention to protect and maintain the historic structure over the last eight years has directly resulted in the substantial deterioration of the building, loss of valuable interior and exterior historic building fabric and details, and will likely inevitably lead to the building becoming structurally compromised. Additionally, multiple HDLC Staff have consistently advocated for the maintenance and preservation of the historic building and have worked closely with the owners to work through construction delays when these issues have been communicated. Unfortunately, the current state of the building appears to be a direct results of the owner’s continued lack of maintenance and their lack of cooperation with Staff and the HDLC Design Guidelines. 

Based on these factors, including the building’s prolonged neglect, repeated violations, and additional unauthorized work, and based on precedent demolitions of this scale, Staff recommends the Commission vote to approve the request for retention of the partial exterior wall and roof removal, and recommends the Commission levy a Tier 3 fine for this unpermitted demolition. Based on the current assessed building value of $176,200, the Tier 3 fine range is $17,708 to $26,430.