605-607 Bartholomew St.

District: Bywater - Full Control

Owner: William A Kammer

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: William A Kammer

Permit #: 25-29489-HDLC

Description: Retention of installation of inappropriate gable window as part of the new construction of a 320 SF one-story rear accessory garage structure in deviation of a Certificate of Appropriateness.

HDLC Guidelines:

12: 9, 11, 20-21 – Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition

Retention Items:

Octagonal Gable Window at New Rear Accessory: Denial

Staff Recommendations:

The applicant originally received approval for the building renovation, installation of a new camelback addition, and construction of a new 220 SF one-story rear accessory garage structure on July 19, 2024. In March 2025, the applicant provided updated drawings for the rear accessory garage structure showing an increase in overall height by 5'-0" and an increase to approximately 320 SF in area. Based on the square footage, the location at the rear of the site, and the simple/minimal architectural detailing, the changes were approved at the Staff level.

In August 2025, the applicant requested an HDLC final inspection; however, work at the building was still in progress. Based on this inspection, Staff noted that the small octagonal window installed at the front gable of the accessory structure was not reviewed or approved by the HDLC and could not be approved after the fact. The applicant was provided with several options to address this deviation:

Remove the window completely and replace with weatherboard siding to match the adjacent areas.
Remove the window and replace with an approvable larger, rectangular window that includes surrounding trim, drip cap and sloped sill.
Remove the window and replace with an appropriate larger, rectangular wood louvered gable vent that includes surrounding trim, drip cap and sloped sill.

However, the applicant confirmed that they wish to retain the window as currently installed.

While the accessory structure is located at the rear of the site, the front elevation is highly visible from the street down the existing right-side yard, and the octagonal window is visually prominent from both Bartholomew and Chartres Streets. The octagonal window is considered inappropriate because the shape and type are not typically found within the surrounding historic district, and because the size does not appear compatible with the overall scale of the accessory building and the large area of surrounding blank wall at the gable. Based on this, and because this change was not submitted to HDLC Staff for review and approval in advance, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention and that the applicant proceed with one of the correction options noted above.

Case History:

09/25/25: Application for retention submitted.
08/19/25: Applicant requests final inspection, however, work is still in progress. Staff notes that octagonal gable window at near rear garage was not approved, is not staff approvable, and requires removal, alteration, or retention approval.
03/19/25: CofA reissued based on revised drawings submitted for rear one-story accessory garage structure.
07/19/24: CofA issued for renovation of existing building including construction of new camelback addition and new rear one-story accessory garage structure.