430 Homer St.

Staff Recommendations: 

430-432 Homer Street is a ca. 1920 frame double shotgun residential building completed in the Craftsman Bungalow style. Although it has been altered, the building is a contributing element in the Algiers Point Historic District. In 2020, a permit application was submitted (#20-40642) for exterior renovation work. An HDLC Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) was issued and subsequently revised to include work at the exterior of the building as well as work to the sills and demolition of a rear addition. However, this CofA was voided and closed out at the request of the contractor. In March 2021, a Stop Work was placed at the property for ongoing work. This scope of work followed what had been permitted in 2020, but the permit was no longer valid. The work completed in March 2021 deviated from the previously approved work and is in large part the HDLC violations that remain at the building currently. The property has recently come under new ownership, and the new owner has requested retention of the items in violation. 

The retention items include the removal of existing side elevation and front façade windows and the installation of inappropriate flush-mounted vinyl windows with grilles in between the glass, missing ridge tiles at the roof, the installation of inappropriate trim, the installation of Hardie Plank wood grain siding, and unfinished CMU foundation piers. 

At some point in the buildings history, side elevation and front façade wood windows were replaced with aluminum windows. These replacement windows did fit within the existing openings and wood trim remained in place. During the work in 2020-2021, the five (5) aluminum windows were replaced with inappropriate flush mounted vinyl windows with grilles in between the glass. In addition to the inappropriate style of the windows, new windows at the side elevations were not replaced in the existing openings. Presumably, when the building was re-sided new openings were cut in for the vinyl windows. The header heights of the new windows are located much further down on the wall than the previous openings. Three (3) smaller square-shaped windows were also added at different header heights at the side elevations, breaking the rhythm of the existing window arrangement. Similarly, the two (2) front façade windows were replaced with inappropriate vinyl windows, making a total of ten (10) inappropriate windows at the building. All ten (10) windows include inappropriate Hardie Plank trim with window aprons. 

Because the existing windows were aluminum there was leeway with what replacement windows could have been installed.  However, the two main HDLC window guidelines were not followed. Staff has no objection to retention of the two (2) front façade windows provided that the window aprons and half screens are removed. Based on sight lines at the building, Staff recommends that the first window at the left-side elevation and the first two (2) windows at the right-side elevation be replaced with HDLC-approved windows. Staff recommends that both square windows at different header heights at side elevations be removed and the openings closed in with siding. Staff recommends that all windows be re-trimmed with appropriate 5/4"x 4.5" wood trim and that aprons be removed. Half screens where installed should also be removed. Staff would like to note that vinyl, wood clad, aluminum clad, and wood windows are all options for replacement windows as the existing windows were aluminum. 

During the project several additional inappropriate alterations occurred. Existing  wood siding at the side and rear elevations was replaced with inappropriate wood grain Hardie Plank siding. Staff has no objection to the retention of the new siding but recommends that in the future it be replaced with Hardie Plank smooth or wood siding. 

Existing  barrel-style ridge tiles were salvaged and reinstalled following a roof replacement. However, it appears that several are currently missing. Staff recommends that new ridge tiles in the same style be installed to complete a cohesive roof ridge. 

Work at the foundation included the installation of new CMU foundation piers. These piers were unfortunately left unfinished. Staff recommends that all visible CMU foundation piers receive a parge coat. This work will provide a finished appearance and protect the material.