1407 S Carrollton Ave.

Staff Recommendations: 

The initial drawings submitted for this application did not indicate any proposed exterior work other than the painting of previously unpainted masonry. The HDLC sub-permit was marked as not required, and the applicant proceeded with permitting and renovation work at the building. However, a site inspection in September confirmed that additional exterior work had been completed that could not be approved at the Staff level.

Exposed Conduit & Junction Boxes:

To enhance lighting and security at the front entry canopy, the applicant replaced the previously existing light fixture. However, the new fixture is powered by inappropriate exposed conduit and junction boxes, including one located directly above the fixture. The HDLC Design Guidelines specifically prohibit both elements, and they are visually prominent on the primary façade. Given the visbility from the street, and the availability of alternative methods to provide lighting at this location without visible conduit or junction boxes, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention.

Visually Prominent Roof-Mounted HVAC Equipment:

A new mini-split outdoor condenser was installed on the building’s roof atop an additional equipment stand, making the unit visually prominent from several points within the surrounding public right-of-way. The location and height of this unit were not indicated in the initially submitted drawings and were not provided separately as part of the mechanical fuel gas permit review and issuance. The HDLC Design Guidelines note that although modern mechanical equipment is a necessity of contemporary life, its design and placement can have a significant negative impact on the historic integrity of a building or district and should therefore be made as unobtrusive as possible. However, the unit is only minimally visible from other surrounding vantage points, with partial screening provided by adjacent vegetation. While it may be possible to reduce the equipment stand from 15" to the minimum required 8" height, given the very low slope of the building’s roof, relocating the unit far enough back to meaningfully reduce its visibility would likely exceed the maximum allowable conduit distance. Based on these factors, Staff has no objection to the request for retention.