5807 Royal St

Staff Recommendations:

Wall-mounted Water Heater:

HDLC Guidelines require wall-mounted equipment such as tankless water heaters to be installed such that all equipment and conduit are minimally visible from the surrounding public right of way. While HDLC did approve the installation of a water heater at this location on the side wall, the equipment should have been installed such that the top of the unit was lower than 7'-0" above grade to ensure it is fully concealed behind the wood fencing. Because the equipment was installed high on the wall and is considered visually prominent, Staff recommends denial of the request to retain it and recommends it be lowered on the wall to reduce its visibility from the street.

Porch Decking:

HDLC Guidelines note that porch flooring was traditionally constructed of tongue and groove boards laid perpendicular to the building wall. The HDLC approved drawings indicate 5/4" x 4.5" wood tongue and groove decking would be installed at the front porch. However, standard dimensional lumber with eased edges was installed instead. The porch flooring is prominently visible from the street and the decking is likely not able to properly shed water without the tongue and groove detail. Based on this, Staff recommends denial of the request to retain it and recommends it be replaced with an appropriate tongue and groove porch board.

Gable Vent & Pediment Trim:

HDLC Guidelines for new construction require building trim and details to be appropriate for the building and the surrounding historic context. The approved drawings note the front gable vent must be wood and installed recess-mounted with 5/4" wood trim, drip cap and sill as per the standard vent detail. However, the vent installed appears to be an alternative material and is flush-mounted without the proper trim and detailing. Because this vent does not meet the Guidelines and is prominently located on the primary facade, Staff recommends denial of the request to retain it and recommends it be replaced with a typical recess-mounted wood gable vent.

At the August 2021 meeting, the ARC noted the proposed pediment door and window trim at the front elevation appears out of scale with the proposed building and recommended reducing its size or eliminating it. The final drawings approved by HDLC showed no pediment trim as per this recommendation. However, the applicant did install new pediment door and window trim which are exaggerated in scale and appear proportionally and stylistically inappropriate for the building. Staff recommends denial of the request to retain this trim and recommends it be replaced with simple 5/4" x 4.5" wood door and window trim.

Windows:

At the August 2021 meeting, the ARC noted the proposed transom windows along the right side elevation of the building are not appropriate and should be replaced with standard-height windows. The final drawings approved by HDLC showed these windows as standard height, as per the recommendation. However, the applicant installed narrow transom windows instead. Because these windows were specifically noted by the ARC to be standard-height and because they are visible from the street, Staff recommends denial of the request for their retention and recommends these be replaced with standard-height windows to match the other windows on the elevation.

The ARC also recommended approval for two transom windows toward the front, left side elevation, and these were also indicated on the final drawings approved by Staff. However, during construction, these two windows were not installed on the building, in deviation of the approved drawings. This elevation now appears to have an inappropriately high ratio of wall to windows and the pattern and rhythm of openings does not appear consistent or compatible with the surrounding historic context. Based on this, Staff recommends denial of the request for retention and recommends the applicant install at least one or two standard-height or transom type windows at this location to better reflect the approved drawings.