Housing Conservation District Review Committee
Meeting Agenda
October 9, 2006
10 a.m., Room 7E07 City Hall
DENIED [6-0] based on the fair condition and architectural significance
Oct 9 Meeting Results RESULT: Denied
Owner Nedra Ricard has applied to demolish this Victorian shotgun double to replace it with a vacant lot. Result: Denied.
In the Housing Conservation District Review Committee’s Meetings, HCDRC, the board takes into consideration a number of factors in deciding to approve or deny a demolition; the presence of the owner at the meeting is a big factor, the plans the owner has submitted for the lot post-demolition, whether or not the owner might benefit from a deferral to pursue sale of the property to bring it back into commerce. The structural viability and economic feasibility of renovation are fundamental considerations as well as the intrinsic value of the unique architectural characteristics a house may offer are all weighed in the board’s decision.
Willie White determines the quality of barge board by its thickness and length, and of course, how much termite damage it’s suffered. Barge board is rich in texture and color. If you liken wood to clothing, barge board is your favorite fluffly fleece.
It looks like many homes approved for demolition are in the bungalow style, the homes rejected seem to be classic 19th century Victorian shotguns. Many of the home approved for demolition seem to be early to mid twentieth century bungalows. That’s bad news for neighborhoods like broadmoor and mid city but seems better for places like the “ New Marigny” historic district(Seventh Ward and ST. Roch Neighborhoods) and Central City. Broadmoor doesn’t seem to have a lot of demolitions but the upper section of the mid city historic district seems to have a lot of demolitions. It would be cool if a map could be made showing demolitions in historic districts.
Hi Randall,
Nice to have your comment. I have been reading the comments you’ve made with Karen, you’re really are far and above the average resident in your grasp of the importance of historic preservation in New Orleans. I think your suggestion of creating a map of what we have squandered in our historic districts. This will probably be something we do, but it may actually be easier to do a map of what’s NOT a historic district, so much of our city is an official historic district.
One area that is I do not think is under HDLC jurisdiction is the area of Treme from Claiborne to Broad. This area has great housing stock. In order to have this designation activated it must be pushed forward by the city council member, in this case, James Carter, I believe. Feel free to send him an inquiry regarding the status of this neighborhood and the HDLC.
If I could I would buy this house and restore the inside. It is in the old area where I grew up years ago. I absolutely hate to see New Orleans lose its wonderful old shot guns with the gingerbread trim. I lived on St. Roch and then on N. Derbigny. Great neighborhoods in their day.