1119-1121 Bartholomew St

Staff Recommendations:

During Hurricane Ida, an existing two-family residential building at 1119-1121 Bartholomew Street collapsed and was subsequently cleared from the site. Following the submittal and approval of proposed redevelopment plans, an HDLC Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) was issued in February 2022 for new construction. In October 2022, an HDLC final inspection was requested for the new two-family residential building. This final inspection was failed due to several items in deviation of the approved plans (see below).

The failed final inspection included the installation of inappropriate brackets, the installation of inappropriate brick, the use of stained rather than painted wood at several locations, the absence of gutters and downspouts, the construction of a concrete parking pad, and the installation of visible roof-mounted HVAC equipment.

The property owner has expressed that they will remove the inappropriate brackets at the front and recessed entries as well as install gutters and downspouts for the entire building. The applicant is mainly petitioning the Commission for the retention of the concrete parking pad and visible HVAC mechanical equipment.

Two additional retention items include the installation of inappropriate brick at the front and recessed entry stairways and the use of stained wood at porch soffits and foundation screening. Per the approved plans, the entry steps were to be CMU with a stucco finish. However, the steps were completed in brick that was neither reviewed nor approved by the HDLC. Although the brick was not approved, the color and variation do not negatively impact the building. Staff recommends retention of the brick at both locations. In general, the HDLC guidelines note that all exterior wood is to be painted and should not be stained or have a raw finish. Not noted on the approved drawings, the building's foundation screening and bead board soffits received a dark-stained finish. Because this condition is not in keeping with what is allowed for exterior wood in full control districts, Staff recommends denial of retention and requests that these areas be painted.

The renderings and site plan in the approved set of drawings showed the installation of appropriate parking strips at the right-side driveway of 1119 Bartholomew. Unfortunately, a full concrete pad was installed. The applicant is seeking retention of this item as it is cost-prohibitive to remove and replace. Staff cannot recommend approval of the concrete parking pad, but leaves the decision to the discretion of the Commission.

The last retention item involves the installation of visible roof-mounted HVAC mechanical equipment. Called out on the approved plans, and discussed during the ARC meeting, it was noted that if the condenser units at the proposed location were found to be visible they must be relocated to a non-visible location. Currently, the equipment is visible from Bartholomew Street and St. Claude Avenue. The viewshed from Bartholomew Street is more concerning as the equipment is visible beyond the rear hip of the roof. Because it was expressly noted that the condenser units not be visible from the public right of way, Staff recommends that the units be at least moved to the left side of the roof slope to eliminate visibility from Bartholomew Street.