1816-1820 Burgundy St.

Staff Recommendations: 

When this new construction application was submitted in 2014, the ARC thoroughly reviewed the proposed massing, site plan, roof forms, fenestration, materiality, fencing, and shutter details to ensure compatibility with the overall contemporary design and the surrounding historic context. The ARC recommended approval for bi-fold shutters that utilize specific hardware installed directly into the stucco frame of door and window openings that would allow them to sit flush and aligned with the exterior wall surface when in the closed position. 

The CofA was issued in February 2016, and HDLC periodically monitored progress of the construction at the site, however, the shutters and hardware were not installed until around September 2017. When the HDLC Inspector observed the installed shutters, alternative hardware, and their inability to sit within the door and window opening depths, the issue was immediately noted to the applicant and the property was cited for the violation that has existed on the property since. A resolution on the shutters was not reached before the construction was completed and the final inspections were requested. 

As a courtesy, HDLC approved the property to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy in March 2018 with the understanding that the shutters and hardware would still need to be resolved promptly. In January 2019, an application was submitted for retention of the shutters and hardware. This request was denied by the Commission and the applicant was required to either remove the shutters or work with Staff on new or modified shutters that are appropriate for the contemporary building, and that meet the HDLC Design Guideline requirements and previous ARC recommendations. Unfortunately, it does not appear that effort was made since then to address the violation. 

On May 30, 2025, the current owner of 1816 Burgundy submitted a new work application to complete limited exterior stucco repairs, however, this CofA cannot be issued unless it also includes corrections or retention of the inappropriate shutters and hardware. As such, the applicant has submitted a new application for retention of the shutters and hardware to remain as currently installed. 

The HDLC Design Guidelines note that shutters and their related hardware form an important part of the character of new and historic openings, and that the details should be used to accomplish purposes similar to those historically, both decoratively and functionally. The current door and window shutters do not fit within the window opening depth, some shutters (particularly at the door openings) may be too large in size to fit the openings, and they do not use the previously approved hardware that would allow the shutters to align with the exterior wall plane. Based on this, and because the detailing of contemporary buildings is important to the integrity of the overall design and its compatibility with the surrounding historic context, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention.