2710 Chestnut St.

District: Garden District - Partial Control

Owner: Pour Elles LLC 

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Non-Contributing

Applicant: Lee Ledbetter

Permit #: 23-15679-HDLC & 23-16775-HDLC

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition states that 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. When reviewing demolition applications at properties located within a Historic District or at a Landmark site, the HDLC uses the following criteria in its evaluations:

• The historic or architectural significance of the building or structure as designated by its “rating”: Non-Contributing.

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area: Sanborn map research indicates the existing building was constructed sometime after 1950, outside the period of significance for the local historic district.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: None are known.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District: The one-story brick residential building was constructed at-grade, lacks a definitive architectural style, and appears to lack historic building fabric and exterior architectural detailing typical of other historic buildings in the area. The building's scale, massing, footprint, exterior details and overall style do not contribute to the character of the surrounding historic district. 

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: It would not be prohibitively difficult or expensive to reproduce the building based on the type of construction and its modest detailing and ornamentation. 

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Staff conducted an exterior visual inspection of the building from the public right of way on June 13, 2023 and determined it to be in fair to good condition. The roof, exterior walls, doors and windows all appear to be well maintained and the building appears to have been continuously occupied.

• The future utilization of the site: The submitted redevelopment plans for the site following demolition include the new construction of 1,875 SF two-story, single-family residential building which the ARC reviewed and recommended for conceptual approval at the June 20, 2023 meeting.

Previous ARC Recommendations:

06/20/23: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval with the final details to be worked out at the Staff level. The ARC also agreed that:

• The design, detailing, and proportions of the proposed new construction are appropriate for the surrounding historic context.

• The ARC discussed the possibility extending the 2nd floor porch so that it wraps around to the front elevation so there could be more of connection between the sidewalk and the building. They concluded that while this could add more of an indication of habitation from Chestnut Street and provide additional rain protection to the entry stoop and door, this strategy may make the building appear too much like a historic rear dependency rather than a contemporary new single-family residence. 

• The proposed building setback and fencing plan are appropriate strategies for the site.

Staff Recommendations:

The existing building was constructed outside the period of significance for the Garden District and its scale, massing, footprint and other exterior architectural features and details do not appear to contribute to the character of the surrounding area. Based on this and the Non-Contributing rating of the building, Staff recommends the Commission vote to approve the request for demolition to grade and to ratify the Architectural Review Committee recommendation for conceptual approval of the proposed new construction.

• Staff Recommendation: No objection to demolition to grade and approval of proposed new construction