District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control
Owner: Patrick Finney
HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy
Rating: Significant
Applicant: Christopher Brennan
Permit #: 24-19657-HDLC
Description: Retention of installation of inappropriate roof shingles at rear face of front parapet wall at an existing Significant rated two-story, two-family residential building in deviation of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
HDLC Guidelines:
05: 20-21 – Guidelines for Roofing
Retention Items:
Installation of asphalt shingles at rear of front parapet: Denial
Staff Recommendations:
The applicant originally applied to remove the previous deteriorated shingle roof for replacement with new asphalt shingle roof, and a CofA was issued on April 5, 2024. Prior to the issuance, Staff and the applicant had several discussions about new TPO roofing proposed at some low-slope lean-to roof areas at the rear which are visible from Kerlerec Street. While the repair and resurfacing of the rear parapet wall was not specifically noted in the proposed scope of work, the approved documents did indicate that all repair and replacement work must match the existing in type, material, and detail. The applicant noted that once the work began, they determined the condition of the rear parapet wall to be too unlevel and uneven to adequately replace the covering and flashing in-kind. Unfortunately, they did not contact HDLC in advance and opted to install inappropriate new asphalt shingles on this vertical surface.
While asphalt roof shingles are considered an appropriate roof covering material, they are not intended for predominantly vertical applications such as at parapet walls or dormer cheek walls. While it is understandable that the original historic condition (or subsequent inappropriate repairs) may have presented a unique challenge for waterproofing, the use of asphalt shingles is not considered an appropriate alternative, and "smoother" finish options (such as sheet metal or similar) should have been utilized. While the shingle installation is only visible at the left-side of the parapet, it is prominently visible from Kerlerec Street. Based on these factors, and the Significant rating of the building, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention and recommends the applicant replace the shingles at this area with a more appropriate parapet material.
Case History:
06/26/24: Application submitted for retention.
05/16/24: HDLC final inspection marked as failed due to installation of inappropriate roof shingles at rear face of front parapet.
05/10/24: Final inspection requested by applicant.
04/05/24: CofA for roof replacement issued.
04/04/24: Application submitted to replace existing asphalt shingle roof with new asphalt shingle roof.