On June 4, the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission unanimously denied an application to demolish the house at 700 Webster St. in the Uptown Historic District.
The HDLC inspector noted that although work on the interior of the early 20th-century Craftsman-style residence had stopped mid-renovation, the exposed framing showed that the building is in excellent structural condition and a prime candidate for rehabilitation.
More alarming than the attempt to demolish a structurally intact building in a historic district is evidence of the cavalier approach the applicant has taken to the city’s permitting process, apparently viewing the HDLC as a mere steppingstone on the way to a City Council appeal.
The HDLC inspector noted in his report that the “applicant, on site during the inspection, explained that the application was submitted with the intention of appealing a denial by the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission to the New Orleans City Council to secure approval for demolition. There was an understanding described by the applicant that this is the standard procedure by which the private sector should follow to easily obtain demolition approval of a historic building which would otherwise not be considered a candidate for demolition.”
The PRC supported denying this application and several other attendees also opposed the demolition, including a representative from the Audubon Riverside Neighborhood Association, who called it a “demolition of convenience.”
At the meeting, an architect with Zach Smith Consulting spoke as the applicant, along with a prospective owner. (The property is currently owned by Home Bank.) The architect stated that a general contractor, realtor and structural engineer had determined that the building was in a state of decline, but HDLC staff confirmed that no reports detailing this information had been submitted.
The prospective owner stated that there was no way financially to save this building, further observing that the building’s structure is its only historic aspect. However, the HDLC inspector found that “minimal finishing work would be required to make this building habitable” and “this would not be prohibitively expensive.”
This application highlights a troubling pattern of undermining the expertise of the HDLC staff and commissioners. The PRC frequently expresses concern about the precedent that is set when the New Orleans City Council overturns HDLC decisions, which emboldens developers to view rules and regulations as optional. This presents enormous challenges to the HDLC and its ability to accomplish its mandate to safeguard the heritage of New Orleans by preserving and regulating historic buildings and districts.
ADDITIONAL ACTION
Also at the meeting, the commission voted not to recommend listing the New Orleans Lawn and Tennis Club (5353 Laurel St.) in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service makes final decisions about listings in the National Register, but New Orleans’ HDLC can provide input on the decision. HDLC staff found that the impact of the club on the city, state and nation has been minimal due to its small membership and limited scope focused on one sport.
Also Uptown, the commission denied an application to raise the raised-basement residence at 80 Audubon Blvd. and relocate the main entrance to the ground level. The proposed modifications would make the building three stories, and the commission expressed concern that any evidence of the building’s original shape and proportions would be lost.
The Krewe of Hermes was given the green light to demolish the warehouse at 2917 Tchoupitoulas St. in the Irish Channel to expand their float den, which is around the corner on Sixth Street. The commission also approved the design concept for the new construction, according to the recommendations of the Architectural Review Committee. In the Bywater Historic District, the commission also approved an application to replace existing slate shingles with asphalt shingles at 1216 Congress St. The commission reminded the applicant, however, that the ridge tiles should be put back in place after the shingle work is complete.
