342 Olivier St.

Staff Recommendations: 

342 Olivier Street is a Significant rated, two-story residential building constructed in ca. 1900 in the Colonial Revival style. The first story sports an L-shaped front façade porch at wraps to the right-side elevation. Supported by simple Doric columns, the porch likely never included a full balustrade. At some point in the building's history, a low, single metal rail was added at the porch. In June 2023, an HDLC violation (#23-03442) was placed on the property for the removal of the existing metal rail and the  installation of a wood square post balustrade without an HDLC Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA). In addition, the violation included the installation of inappropriate fencing at the right side elevation yard facing Alix Street. 

The building currently operates as a preschool and was required by the State Fire Marshall to have a balustrade at the first story porch for life safety reasons. The applicant installed the current balustrade and fencing due to that request, but failed to obtain HDLC approval prior to the work and is seeking retention of the as installed condition. 

Although it is possible that the porch never had a balustrade, the HDLC does regularly approve the installation of wood or metal balustrades when required by code for insurance/life safety purposes. The wood square post balustrade installed at 342 Olivier Street is approvable for the building. However, the handrails and footrails of the balustrade are too flat and were not completed per the HDLC's historic detail (see below). This work also extends to the newel posts and section of balustrade at the main entry stair. Staff recommends retention of the square post balustrade at the front porch with the proviso that the handrails and footrails be reworked to match the provided detail and that 1x6 trim be added at the top and bases of the newel posts. If possible, Staff recommends the removal of the middle section of balustrade at the stair. 

A similar square post balustrade was installed at a right-side elevation wheelchair ramp. The existing metal ramp included metal guardrails. The guardrails at this location can be either wood or metal but not a combination of both materials. Staff recommends the removal of one of the materials and the installation of an appropriately detailed cohesive design at the existing ramp. 

Existing fencing at the property is a combination of simple metal pickets with decorative posts and a small section of chain-link. The HDLC violation includes the installation of fencing at the right-side elevation facing Alix Street that is essentially a continuation of the square post balustrade. Although the fencing achieves desired security, its detailing is not appropriate. At this location, the fencing could be non-opaque pointed wood picket fencing, non-opaque metal picket fencing, or opaque vertical board wood fencing. Staff recommends denial of retention and the installation of an approvable fencing style.