714 Seventh St.

Staff Recommendations: 

In March, an application was submitted for structural repairs to the building including reframing, replacement of joists, and sill work. However, a Stop Work order was posted on the building by Safety & Permits and HDLC on April 20, as work had begun prior to the issuance of the permits. This Stop Work inspection revealed that the existing structure was in poor to very poor condition and would require some framing replacement. A CofA was issued on April 27, for stud replacement, and other structural work, equalling approximately 13% demolition through reframing of the existing exterior walls and creating new openings. On May 2, a subsequent CofA was issued for the full renovation of the building.

On August 1, a second Stop Work was posted as the entire first-floor had been reframed in deviation of the previously approved scope. The percent of demolition through reframing without approval was approximately 45% of the exterior walls and 51% of the primary facade, with the approved 13% demolition, the total exterior wall demolition is currently at 58%, exceeding what can be approved at staff level. 

While the reframing of the building exceeded the approved scope and the drawings clearly stated that no additional reframing should be done, the structure was found to be in poor to very poor condition by the HDLC Inspector. It is likely that Staff would have recommended approval of the reframing to the Commission, if the applicant had requested it in the original scope, based on the condition of the building. However, because the work was done in deviation of the approved drawings and resulted in two Stop Work orders, Staff recommends the retention be granted for the reframing of more than 50% of the wall structure and more than 25% of the primary facade, with a Tier 1 fine of $0-$20,077.