514 Flood Street

District: Holy Cross - Full Control

Owner: Mechall Norman Tucker

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Contributing (but altered)

Applicant: Erick E Lassair Sr.

Permit #: 24-09704-HDLC

Description: Retention of change of roof form at the front of an existing Contributing (but altered) rated one-story, two-family residential building in deviation of a Certificate of Appropriateness.

HDLC Guidelines:

05: 2 – Guidelines for Roofing

Retention Items:

Change of front roof form: No Objection

Staff Recommendations:

The HDLC Design Guidelines note that historic roof forms are critical to the understanding of a building's age, type, and style. Alterations to a roof's shape and form can have a significant negative impact on the building's appearance from the street. This applicant was previously working under a reissued 2018 CofA that included corrections for HDLC violations at the building, including Demolition by Neglect conditions. Unfortunately, in January 2022, HDLC Inspector Kelley Campbell observed work at the property in excess of what was approved, including the substantial alteration of the front roof form.

A new roof was superficially installed over and attached directly to the original historic primary roof ridge and extended down and over a large non-original front porch addition roof that was completed sometime after 1950. The applicant has noted that this work was completed to address water infiltration issues at the building interior and porch roof. However, documentation of these issues has not been submitted.

This change in roof form is considered inappropriate because it encapsulates and obscures the original historic gable roof form and creates a false-impression that the large front porch may be an original element of the building. It also further obscures and alters the original building massing, type, and style, and is highly visible and prominent at the front elevation. However, Staff does note that the Contributing rated building has already been highly altered in the past, particularly in terms of its overall massing and roof forms. Based on this, Staff has no objection to the request for retention with the proviso that the applicant continue to work with HDLC and S&P Staff so permitting and corrective work at the property can resume in a timely manner.

Case History:

04/03/24: Retention application submitted and retention application fee paid.
03/18/24: Applicant contacts S&P requesting information on scheduled Adjudication hearing. HDLC Staff responds and notes the review and approval process necessary to resume work and resolve violations.
03/07/23: Property cited for working without a CofA for work at building including alteration of roof form at front of building.
02/18/22: CofA re-issued to include additional work at building and previous violation corrections. S&P confirms applicant has been notified about information required for supplemental structural application review.
02/01/22: Supplemental structural renovation application submitted but does not include sufficient information for S&P review. Permit has not been issued to date.
01/14/22: HDLC Inspector notes that work in excess of approved drawings has been completed including alteration of roof form at front of building. Staff notifies owner to provide information for review/approval. S&P confirms supplemental structural application is required for this additional work.
05/11/21: CofA re-issued to include previous working without a CofA and new Demolition by Neglect violations at building.
03/17/21: Non-structural renovation application submitted to request extension of 2018 permits.
03/01/21: Property cited for Demolition by Neglect conditions including vegetation, deteriorated foundation sills, columns, masonry/stucco, railings, porch decking and handrails, roof shingles, and soffits/fascia.
10/04/18: Structural renovation application submitted and CofA issued to address previous work at building. Marked as expired due to inactivity on 02/23/21.
09/14/18: Property cited for work without a CofA including exterior wall reframing and installation of wood-grained Hardie siding.
04/12/18: Current owner purchases property.