1531 Euterpe St

Staff Recommendations:

1531-1533 Euterpe Street is a contributing ca. 1860 two-story double-gallery Greek Revival residential building in the Lower Garden Historic District. In 2019 (#19-02079 - reopened under #19-11766), an HDLC violation case for working performed without permits was opened against the property. The violation included the removal of original/existing six over six wood windows and the installation of inappropriate vinyl windows, the installation of an inappropriate satellite dish, the installation of inappropriate balustrades, and the installation of screens at window cornices. Two items from this violation case, the satellite dish and screens have since been abated.

In January 2020, an HDLC CofA (see below) was issued to address the outlined violations as well as a host of Demolition by Neglect (DbyN) conditions that have plagued the building for many years. Throughout 2020 the double gallery at the front façade was completely rebuilt. In addition, a number of other items listed in the issued CofA were completed at that time. However, several previously cited conditions were not included in the scope of work.

In 2022, a new violation case (#22-04828) was opened to included additional work without proper HDLC review and approval as well as those that had not been addressed in 2020. The cited windows at the right-side elevation were not corrected and new work during Hurricane Ida were noted.

Similar to the other Euterpe Street properties, 1531 had existing six over six wood windows replaced with vinyl six over six windows with grilles in between the glass. In this case, the windows that were installed at the right-side elevation are visible and would not have been approved at that location. The grilles in between the glass also make them an inappropriate type of vinyl replacement window. Windows at the left-side elevation remain as wood windows. Staff recommends denial of retention of the four (4) vinyl windows at the right-side elevation and that they be replaced with an HDLC approved window.

The new work cited under the 2022 HDLC violation stems from Hurricane Ida damage. This work without HDLC permitting includes the removal of a rear second-story door, section of second story balcony, and the restructuring of a second-story balcony and balustrade.

The right-side and left-side elevations of 1531 Euterpe included a condition where the rear wall of the main portion of the building terminated at an integrated, covered cantilevered balcony at the second floor: running to the rear elevation. Although the left-side elevation has since been enclosed, the right-side elevation shows that this area of the building likely functioned as an integrated service wing with a series of door and window openings. This portion, moving toward the rear of the building, originally formed a courtyard with another two-story accessory building on the rear property line. This accessory building likely served as a privy and/or kitchen.

During Hurricane Ida, the applicant claims that areas of the right-side elevation balcony were damaged. This damage necessitated immediate restructuring work to columns, balustrade, and decking; work completed without an HDLC CofA. The project architect has noted that the detailing to columns and the balustrade will be corrected as part of a larger renovation project. During this work, a non-original door and section of non-original balcony were removed and encapsulated with siding. A 2007 FEMA survey photograph of the building does not show either of these conditions meaning that they were added at some point after 2007. Staff recommends retention of this removal with the proviso that the new siding be painted to match existing siding.