2473 Burgundy St

Staff Recommendations: 

The current owner purchased the property in early November 2023 and applied for a building permit and CofA to complete various interior and exterior repairs. In correspondence with the applicant prior to issuance of the CofA, it was noted several times (including on the approved documents) that all additional exterior work, such as widow replacement, would require additional HDLC review and approval prior to purchase and installation. Unfortunately, once work commenced at the site, the scope was expanded and the applicant did not contact HDLC Staff for additional review and approval, as required. 

Removal of five window openings: 

A total of five original window openings were removed from the building without approval, including three at the left side and two street-facing windows at the right-side ell addition. The HDLC Guidelines note that windows are important elements of a historic building because they establish a  visual rhythm, help to define its overall character, and provide a visual feature to the streetscape. While the removal of original window openings is rarely considered an appropriate action, the visibility of the openings at the left side elevation is extremely limited due to the proximity of the adjacent building. At the right side ell addition, the overall window-to-wall ratio has been decreased, however, there still appears to be a enough remaining original openings to maintain the overall scale and rhythm of the building. Based on this, Staff has no objection to request for retention of removed window openings.

Removal of window awning: 

A previously existing simple wood bracketed awning was removed without approval from above the 2nd floor right-side ell addition window. The HDLC Guidelines discourage the removal of original exterior building elements and features, however, it is possible that this awning was a non-original element that was installed at a later date to mitigate the impact of wind-driven rain at the opening, for example. Additionally, the simple awning form and detailing could be easily reproduced and reinstalled at a future date. Based on this, Staff has no objection the request for retention of the removed awning.

Removal of wood windows for installation of inappropriate windows with apron trim: 

All of the previously existing original 6-over-2 wood windows were removed from the building without approval, and inappropriate vinyl windows were installed with inappropriate apron trim below the sills. The current window units are considered inappropriate because they are single-hung with half screens, are flush-mounted rather than recess mounted into the wall depth, and utilize grilles-between-glass muntins instead of the required simulated divided light (with interior and exterior muntins and metal spacer bar between the glass panels). The apron trim below the sill is also considered inappropriate because it is not an original condition to the building, is not consistent with typical historic wood window trim detailing, and can easily be corrected by removing it and feathering in new weather board siding to match the adjacent areas. 

Had these window specifications and trim modifications been submitted for HDLC review in advance, as required, Staff would have noted that they are not appropriate and that additional Commission approval would have been required to proceed.  However, it may be possible to reset the current window units further back into the wall depth and to install simple new exterior wood screens so that the overall visibility of the inappropriate window detailing is substantially reduced at the left and right sides, rather than requiring the full removal and replacement of these units with more appropriate windows. Based on this, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention of the apron trim. Staff also recommends denial of the request for retention of the inappropriate windows and recommends the Commission vote to require all visible windows to be modified to appear more like historically appropriate windows from the street (or) are fully removed and replaced with appropriate new window units.