5640 Burgundy St.

Staff Recommendations: 

Rear Covered Porch & Right Side Canopy:

The rear covered porch and right-side canopy were both constructed between February and August of 2021 without HDLC approval and in deviation of the previously issued CofA. Both additions were reviewed (after-the-fact) by the ARC at the April 19, 2023 meeting and both were recommended for conceptual approval with a proviso that the right side canopy be reduced in size or shifted back a minimum of one column bay to decrease its overall scale and to minimize its visual impact from the street. The applicant has provided updated drawings incorporating these ARC recommendations. Staff recommends the Commission ratify the ARC recommendation for conceptual approval and approve the request for retention provided these updated drawings are implemented.

Balcony Handrails, Newel Posts & Flashing:

The current owner received a CofA in 2008 to reconstruct the damaged and deteriorated front balcony, handrails and newel posts. Google street view confirms the balcony was successfully repaired and reconstructed to match the historic condition by April 2011. However, the balcony subsequently deteriorated quickly and it was largely missing again by January 2014. The following year, HDLC cited the property for DbyN for numerous items including the condition of the balcony and a CofA was issued to reconstruct it again to match the previous condition. Work to repair the balcony, however, did not commence until sometime between August 2019 and April 2022. 

The balcony repairs completed are not considered appropriate because they do not match the previous documented condition or the typical HDLC details for these elements. For example, the original balcony had five newel posts rather than six, and each was wider than the current and included decorative wood trim. The current handrail utilizes a flat top rail without apron trim at the sides, making it appear visually too thin. The bottom rail also appears to be flat which will likely lead to accelerated deterioration of these elements. The current balcony decking is an inappropriate sheet metal material that prominently extends over the edge of the fascia to form a drip edge. The applicant is requesting these balcony conditions be retained, however, has offered to some additional options for consideration: 

1. Retain the six newel posts, but wrap, trim, and cap them to more closely match the standard newel post detail. 

2. Modify the top bar of the handrail by installing a double-beveled board to properly shed water. However, the apron trim is not proposed for installation and the bottom bar would remain flat. 

3. Install new standard tongue-and-groove porch decking via adhesive to the top of the existing sheet metal flooring that will extend past the balcony edge with a new fascia board installed below to visually conceal the existing metal drip edge.

The current owner previously demonstrated the ability to successfully reconstruct the balcony to match the historic condition, and the property has been continuously cited by HDLC for these violations since at least 2015. However, despite the proposed modifications not fully recreating the previous historic condition, they will greatly improve the overall appearance of the balcony from the street and contribute to the enhanced appearance of the primary façade. Based on this, Staff recommends the Commission vote to approve the request for retention with a proviso that the applicant-recommended changes are implemented so the balcony elements more closely reflect the typical details and to ensure their maximum longevity moving forward.

Removal of Rear Window:

The applicant removed one second-floor window at the rear of the building sometime after August 2019 without HDLC approval and in deviation of the previously issued CofA. The previously existing 6-over-6 wood window was removed and the area was infilled with new weatherboard siding. The HDLC Guidelines note that the arrangement, size, type, and proportions of windows and openings are key components of a building's style and character. As such, original windows and historic wood trim should be retained and the modification or removal of historic window openings is discouraged. The applicant is requesting this window removal be retained, however, has offered to some additional options for consideration: 

1. Two smaller operable wood windows can be installed to the left and right of the previous opening to better accommodate the updated interior layout.

2. One new false-shuttered opening can be installed to match the size and location of the previous opening.

Based on these two options, the HDLC Guidelines, and due to the visual prominence of the window area from Lamanche Street, Staff has no recommendation and leaves the decision to the discretion of the Commission. However, Staff also recommends the Commission consider requesting the applicant return to the ARC so they can review the proposed window options and offer a recommendation to the Commission.