1416-1418 Dauphine St.

District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control

Owner: Kirk Kapell

HDLC Staff: Dennis Murphy

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Steven Wallick

Permit #: 25-39655-HDLC 

HDLC Design Guidelines: 

Chapter 09, Page 1 of the Guidelines for Porches, Galleries and Balconies state that the rich architectural character of New Orleans is distinguished by its collection of porches, galleries and balconies. Porches are typically one of the most visible elements of a building; they are key elements in determining its style, and play a significant role in its appearance and that of the streetscape. Historically, these spaces were an outside room where property owners could find a sheltered transition into their buildings, exterior living space, a place to meet and converse with neighbors, and welcome visitors.

Chapter 10, Pages 2-6 of the Guidelines for Site Elements state that site elements such as fencing are intended to frame the architecture along a streetscape and should be consistent with the established site patterns and components that are unique to a given neighborhood. When considering altering a site, the HDLC encourages property owners to develop an understanding of the environmental characteristics of their immediate surroundings and allow that understanding to direct their design. Where front yard areas are present, the Guidelines note that either a simple low wood or metal picket fence may be appropriate. However, the Guidelines explicitly state that fencing and gates are not permitted when located on porches, stoops, or stairs.

Staff Recommendations: 

The applicant is proposing to install new wood guardrails at the lower porch designed to match the existing guardrails above. To enhance site security at this area, the applicant also proposes to install new 5’-0” tall metal gates at both front corners of the porch, and new 36” tall operable gates located at the top of both porch stairs. While the new guardrails and the proposed alley gates are Staff-approvable, the porch stair gates are not considered appropriate as this condition is specifically prohibited by the HDLC Design Guidelines.

Porches in New Orleans historically functioned as visually open, semi-public transition spaces between the street and the interior of the building. The installation of gates at the top of porch stairs introduces a security element that visually and symbolically diminishes the openness of the porch, alters the historic character of the primary façade, and creates a more closed and less inviting appearance that is inconsistent with the porch's function and the established streetscape context. Additionally, Staff notes that similar proposals have been consistently denied by the Commission in prior cases, and that approval in this instance may encourage additional, similar applications in the future.  Based on these factors, Staff recommends denial of the request for new porch stair gates.

As an alternative, the applicant could consider less visually obtrusive methods of improving site security, such as a removable chain barrier at the stairs, enhanced security lighting, or discreet security cameras, which would maintain the historic openness of the porch and are typically approvable at the Staff level.

• Recommendation: Denial