2906 Chippewa St.

District: Irish Channel - Full Control

Owner: Jeffery L Smith

HDLC Staff: Wendy Cargile

Rating: Contributing 

Applicant: Kelly Johnson

Permit #: 24-10089-HDLC 

HDLC Design Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 14-19 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition state that except for camelbacks, most residential additions expand the footprint of an existing building by constructing more space at the rear or side of an existing building. If appropriately designed, additions to existing buildings can provide increased space while maintaining the historic character of the original building and streetscape. In conformance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, an addition to a historic building should be subordinate to the historic building and read clearly as an addition. The subordinate appearance of an addition can be achieved through its scale, form, massing, materials and details. Additions to existing properties should not obscure, damage, or destroy significant architectural material and should be compatible with the design of the property, as well as the neighborhood. Whenever possible, additions should be constructed in a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the existing building would be intact. When constructing additions to existing buildings, property owners are encouraged to consider the integrity of the existing building and its historic significance. Similar to the principles for new construction, additions should not duplicate historic building details, but should be visually compatible. The HDLC also requires:

• The preservation of the cohesive ambiance of historic buildings and neighborhoods with compatible, sympathetic construction.

• Compatible siting, proportion, scale, form, materials, fenestration, roof configuration, details and finishes at all additions.

• Construction of additions at secondary elevations wherever possible, subordinate to the historic building, and compatible with the design of the property and surrounding neighborhood.

• Construction of additions so that historic building fabric is not radically changed, obscured, damaged, or destroyed.

Previous ARC & Staff Recommendations: 

04/16/24: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC also agreed that:

• The setback and width of the proposed addition are appropriate for the existing building.

• The first and second-floor windows at the left side of the addition are too close to the corner and should either be shifted back on the wall, or the front wall of the addition should be shifted forward so there is more breathing room at this area. 

• While not required, the ARC recommended the applicant consider also correcting the front camelback windows and trim to a more appropriate condition as part of the overall work.

• Staff Recommendation: Approval