2255 St Claude Ave

Staff Recommendations:

Sanborn map research indicates the original rear accessory was likely constructed between 1908 and 1937, toward the end of the period of significance for the local historic district. It also appears that the original wood-framed building may have been replaced or modified with a new iron structure including an expansion of its footprint to the rear sometime between 1937 and 1951. Based on this, HDLC considers the rear accessory to be a Non-Contributing rated structure. However, it is over 1,000 SF so the Commission must approve its demolition in advance. The applicant has noted the accessory building was substantially damaged during hurricane Ida (Aug/Sept 2021) and had begun to partially collapse and posed a safety issue. The applicant proceeded to demolish the accessory structure to grade without notifying HDLC and without applying for a demolition permit or Certificate of Appropriateness. The applicant is now requesting retention approval for this unpermitted work. The applicant should have contacted HDLC Staff about the deteriorated conditions so an inspection could have been completed and an application for the work should have been submitted prior to the full demolition. However, based on the age of the accessory, its Non-Contributing rating, and because it does not appear to have contributed architecturally or aesthetically to the surrounding historic district, Staff recommends approval of the retention request and recommends a minimal fine be levied for the unpermitted demolition. Because this demolition work was completed before August 1, 2022 it is subject to the previous fine schedule.