1233 Desire St.

Staff Recommendations: 

Constructed in ca. 1900, 1233 Desire Street is a frame, one-story single shotgun residential building that has been heavily altered over time. In late 2023 two (2) HDLC Certificates of Appropriateness (CofAs) were issued for non-structural renovation work (#23-28503 & #23-16707). The scope of work included the removal of vinyl siding and installation of Hardie Plank, re-roofing, and the removal of existing windows and installation of new windows. The resulting work vastly improved the appearance of the building. Unfortunately, a final inspection revealed a number of deviations from the approved work. The main deviation includes the installation of inappropriate flush-mounted vinyl windows, the installation of inappropriate apron trim, and the removal of existing windows. The applicant has selected to seek retention of these items. 

The CofA and approved window estimate (below) called for the removal of four (4) existing aluminum windows and the installation of four (4) Pella Encompass windows. Because the existing windows were a legally non-conforming style and material, newly installed windows could match in-kind or be vinyl. The selected windows were approved and installed as per the HDLC guidelines. However, five (5) additional vinyl windows were also installed. One at the left-side elevation, one at the right-side elevation, and three (3) at the right-side elevation of the rear addition. These windows were not reviewed and/or approved by HDLC Staff and are flush mounted within the plane of the wall. This additional work also included the removal of three (3) existing windows at the right-side elevation. 

The five (5) flush-mounted windows do not meet the HDLC guidelines even for replacement vinyl windows. The two (2) windows closest to Desire Street are more visible than the three (3) at the rear addition and should be removed and replaced with the previously approved Pella Encompass window. Staff has no objection to retention of the three (3) less visible windows at the right-side elevation of the rear addition with the proviso that the two (2) at the main building are replaced with HDLC approved windows. 

All windows currently have apron trim installed beneath the sill. Apron trim is not permitted in HDLC full control districts and is not indicative of a historic detail. Staff recommends that all apron window trim be removed at windows at the main portion of the building and has no objection to this trim at the rear addition windows. 

Another deviation included the removal of three (3) existing aluminum windows. Two (2) windows at the right-side elevation and one at the street-facing elevation of the rear addition. It is likely that both windows at the right side elevation and rear addition window were not original openings to the buiilding. In addition, the windows were at different header heights and aluminum replacement windows. Overall, the removed windows provide a less busy right-side elevation and the work did not remove historic material. Staff has no objection to the retention of the removed windows.