8823 Willow St.

District: Carrollton - Partial Control

Owner: Antoine E Joseph 

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Charlie Hampton 

Permit #: 23-23345-HDLC

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition states that the demolition of all or portions of historic resources within a local Historic District or Landmark site are considered drastic actions, since they alter the character of the area. Once historic resources or buildings that contribute to the heritage of the community are destroyed, it is generally impossible to reproduce their design, texture, materials, details and their special character and interest in the neighborhood. When reviewing demolition applications at properties located within a Historic District or at a Landmark site, the HDLC uses the following criteria in its evaluations:

• The historic or architectural significance of the building or structure as designated by its “rating”: Contributing

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:  FEMA survey research indicates the original single-shotgun type building was estimated to have been constructed around 1895-1905.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: None known at this time.

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: With the amount of repairs the reproduction of the architectural elements lost to the building's deterioration might be cost prohibitive and would in essence not be a historic building.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  The single shotgun retains it's massing and scale with an altered porch presumably changed in the mid 20th century.

• The condition of the building or structure:  HDLC Staff conducted an interior and exterior inspection on August 30, 2023 and found the building to be in very poor condition.

The wood-framed superstructure rests on a pier and beam foundation. The building is covered in wood weatherboards with an additional layer of vinyl siding with the front gable covered in stucco.

The roof is comprised of asphalt shingles that are deteriorated and need to be replaced. The roof was completely compromised and appeared to shed very little water. There are two large sections missing weather boards and studs. At those locations the sills and top plates were also deemed incompetent. The building is visibly racked and out of plumb.

The building envelope is thoroughly compromised. The finishing materials are sodden, moldy and non-salvageable. There are hole and visible daylight through the roof structure. At some locations the flooring is not competent or missing completely. 

Staff Recommendations: 

Very little of the structure of this building is salvageable. Rot and termite damage is systemic and no portion of the structure was dry. The locations of massive structural damage make rehabilitation unfeasible. For the aforementioned reasons, Staff has no objection to the demolition.

• Recommendation:  No objection to demolition.