1013-1015 Touro St.

Staff Recommendations: 

HDLC Staff observed work completed at the building without approval, including installation of inappropriate metal fence gates and a new deck at the rear lean-to roof that is visible from the street. The property was cited for working without a CofA and the applicant worked with Staff to quickly correct the front fence gates. However, the Commission must review the request for retention of the rear deck as it does not meet the HDLC Guidelines which note that these are not permitted where visible from a public right of way. 

The rear deck appears to have been constructed sometime between 2014 and 2015, around the time the current owner purchased the property. It was installed on a platform above the existing rear lean-to roof with metal guardrails set back from the left and right sides. While some potted planters are present at this area to partially obscure the view, the deck and guardrail are highly visible from the right side of the building through the adjacent vacant lot, and particularly from the intersection of Touro and N Rampart Streets.

Based on the visibility of the rear deck and as per the HDLC Guidelines, Staff recommends denial of the retention request and recommends the applicant either remove the rear deck (or) work with HDLC Staff to modify it so the guardrails are replaced with simple parapet-style walls to better integrate the desired exterior area with the existing historic building and so it more closely complies with the HDLC Guidelines and previous ARC recommendations for similar requests.