801 Jackson Avenue

Staff Recommendations:

801 Jackson Avenue is a ca. 1890 commercial corner store turned residential building. Although several original aspects of the building have been altered over time, the contributing building maintains its prominent position at the corner of Jackson and Annunciation Streets in the Lower Garden District. Its corner lot positioning creates three highly visible facades.

In August 2022 a renovation non-structural permit application (#22-23597) was submitted for mostly interior work. The scope of work included the expansion of the rear deck. Although scheduled to be reviewed by the HDLC Architectural Review Committee (ARC), the proposed expansion was tabled and eventually removed from the scope of work. At that time, an HDLC Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) was issued for the repair/replacement of existing weatherboard siding (see CofA below).

In November 2022 a mechanical permit application (#22-34176) was submitted for the installation of new HVAC condenser units at the rear of the building. Following correspondence between the contractor and Staff it was noted that the mechanical equipment and associated conduit had been installed prior to the issuance of the mechanical permit. Submitted photographs also revealed that previous work under permit #22-23597 had far exceeded the approved scope.

An early December 2022 inspection showed that an existing door and transom at the rear of the building had been removed and replaced with an inappropriate vinyl window, mechanical equipment and conduit had been installed at visually prominent locations, an inappropriate lighting fixture had been installed, and existing divided lite doors at the rear façade had been removed and replaced with solid four panel doors.

Likely the more historic of the two door openings at the rear elevation, the right-side door and transom (looking from Annunciation Street), were removed without the approval of the HDLC. Areas of the door opening were infilled and an inappropriate vinyl window was installed. The header height of the window does not match the left-side door, and the window is a vinyl window with a nine over six muntin pattern with grilles in between the glass. This work interacts with mechanical work at this location. The property owner is petitioning the Commission to allow for the retention of the door to window change not only because it is located in a bathroom, but also because of a proposed condenser unit at that area (see picture below). The owner would prefer to install the mechanical equipment at the rear deck under the window. A visually prominent door to window change is not typically approved by the HDLC and would require the review of the ARC. Staff recommends denial of the door to window change. If retention is allowed, Staff recommends that an appropriate window be installed.

The mechanical permit application for the installation of two (2) HVAC condenser units was not issued prior to the installation of the exterior equipment. The existing unit at the ground level under the rear deck was relocated to a less visible location partially screened by the stairway. This location is more appropriate than the existing and Staff recommends approval of retention. The second of the two (2) units is proposed at the second level of the rear deck. The proposed location is under the now window (see picture below). Although this location is contingent on the approval of retention for the window/door change, this location is screened by the deck balustrade and overall positioning. Staff recommends approval of the installation of the condenser unit at the second story deck location regardless of if the window is approved as the rear façade of the building is visible from all sight lines and this location does reduce visibility. Associated conduit has since been painted to match the color of the siding. Staff thinks this measure has reduced overall visibility. Staff recommends approval of conduit at rear façade.

Between September and December 2022 an exterior light fixture was installed at the corner entry of the building. Per the HDLC guidelines decorative lighting should be compatible with the building. The style and material of the installed fixture is not in keeping with the building. Staff recommends denial of retention and replacement of the fixture with a more appropriate hanging lamp.

Two (2) doors at the first story on the rear façade were also removed and replaced. The existing wood doors were divided lite with a Bungalow-stylized pattern. It is unlikely that the doors were original to the building. These doors were removed and replaced with four-panel wood doors. It does not appear that any infill occured within the opening. Because the doors are minimally visible and the replacement doors are approvable doors, Staff recommends approval of retention. The existing doors should be donated if possible.