1509-1511 Louisa St

Staff Recommendations:

Although the extent of the damage is unclear, a fire damaged portions of 1509-1511 Louisa Street in 2009. It appears that this damage prompted work completed without permits that was cited by the HDLC in 2012 (#12-09847). The work in violation included the installation of inappropriate brown roof shingles, installation of wood grained Hardie Plank, installation of fan lite doors, removal of existing windows and installation of vinyl windows, the installation of decorative security bars at windows and doors, and the removal of existing transoms. Since 2012 two (2) violations, the roof replacement and the gutters and downspouts, have been abated as they are now in compliance.

In 2015, this violation was brought to adjudication as the conditions had not been addressed. The judgement from this meeting included a one-time HDLC fine of $500.00 which was subsequently paid in full. A non-structural permit was opened in 2015 but was expired due to inactivity. In 2020, a Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) was issued for the installation of gutters and downspouts. However, the scope of work did not address the outstanding HDLC violations from 2012. Since 2009 the property has had three (3) different owners. Currently, the HDLC violations originally cited in 2012 remain and have not been addressed.

A new violation was opened in September 2022 (#22-05128) for the same outstanding conditions from 2012. This violation also includes the removal of an existing gable window and the installation of an inappropriate gable vent. The current owner is petitioning the HDLC Commission for the retention of work without a CofA, citing that the work was completed prior to their ownership.

The existing six-over-six wood windows were replaced with inappropriate flush-mounted vinyl windows throughout. Although completed prior to current ownership, Staff cannot recommend retention of the inappropriate windows.

The current front facade doors are inappropriate fanlight replacement doors not approved in HDLC districts. In addition, the existing transoms surmounting the existing doors were removed when the doors were replaced. This work created an infill condition altering the size and configuration of the doors. Staff recommends denial of retention and that historically appropriate doors be installed. Staff leaves the retention of the transoms at the discretion of the Commission.

Both the inappropriate windows and doors have inappropriate decorative security bars. Although metal security bars are allowed, decorative scrolling and other applied decoration are inappropriate. Staff recommends denial of retention of existing security bars. Applied decoration may be removed or new security bars can be installed.

Currently, the building is clad in wood-grained Hardie Plank, a material that is not approved by the HDLC. Although Hardie Plank is regularly utilized as a replacement for wood weatherboards, it is required that the Smooth finish be selected. Because the current siding is in good condition Staff has no objection to the retention of the wood-grained Hardie Plank siding. If possible, the exterior could be painted to better cover the wood graining. Future siding replacement must be Hardie Plank with a smooth finish or wood weatherboards.

In photos from 2009, the front-facing gable included a single gable window with decorative trim. At some point after 2009, this window opening was replaced with an inappropriate gable vent. It is a common condition for gable windows to be replaced with vents over time. Staff has no objection to the retention of the gable vent provided that new wood louvers are installed as per the HDLC gable vent detail.