1492 Moss St.

District: Parkview - Partial Control

Owner: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Daughters

HDLC Staff: Chase Klugh

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Heather Cooper

Description: Demolition of a Contributing rated, one-story, accessory building at the rear of a raised basement residential building to grade.

HDLC Guidelines:

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition.

The demolition of all or portions of historic resources within a local Historic District or Landmark site are considered drastic actions since they alter the character of the area. Once historic resources or buildings that contribute to the heritage of the community are destroyed, it is generally impossible to reproduce their design, texture, materials, details and their special character and interest in the neighborhood. As a result, the HDLC rarely considers the demolition of Significant or Contributing buildings or structures within a local Historic District or on a Landmark site to be an appropriate option.

Staff Recommendations:

1492 Moss Street is a contributing raised basement frame building originally constructed as a two-family residence in ca. 1890. The core of the Colonial Revival building, including its overall form with mirrored bay windows, remains. Between 1908-1940 a large three-sided porch was constructed and the building was raised, potentially eliminating original architectural detailing. The 1896 and 1908 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (below) show a collection of accessory buildings at the rear, creating a rectangular courtyard area. By 1940, these accessory buildings were either demolished or moved on the site. This work created the site that remains today. Both of the two (2) extant accessory buildings appear on the 1940 Sanborn map.

At the March 2022 HDLC NO Commission meeting, an application was heard for the demolition of both accessory buildings to clear the site for a large addition. At that time, the Creole Cottage-type building was determined to be contributing, with the smaller CMU garage being non-contributing. The HDLC NO Commission motioned that the non-contributing accessory building could be demolished, but the contributing cottage must remain.

Following a year of revising plans and neighborhood meetings, the applicant is returning to the Commission to request that the contributing building be demolished. At the May 2023 meeting, the Commission deferred the item to provide time to review the full proposal for the site. Although the date of construction for the building is unclear, the overall type, style, and materiality of the building highlight its importance, contributing to the tout ensemble of the site. Staff again recommends denial of demolition.