Council overrules HDLC in multiple appeals, approves several additions and demolitions
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Summary
The council overruled Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) decisions on multiple property appeals—approving additions at Fort Street and Jackson Avenue and allowing substantial demolition at Levada Street—citing neighborhood support and the condition of structures.
The City Council reviewed several appeals of Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) decisions and in multiple cases overruled the commission and approved applicants’ requests.
For a rear second-story addition at a property on 821–823 Fort Street, the council overruled HDLC staff recommendations and approved the applicant’s proposal after noting neighborhood support.
On a related appeal for 911 Jackson Avenue (a camelback addition), the council accepted a motion to overrule the HDLC and approve the addition despite HDLC staff citing design guidelines and concerns that the proposed placement would not meet the guideline set-backs and would remove a substantial portion of the roof; the council said the applicant had worked with the HDLC over several years and gained neighborhood backing.
The council also considered a demolition request at 2831 Levada Street (a contributing-rated shotgun house) where the HDLC and ARC expressed concerns about preserving community character. Council members concluded the structure had very few original elements and was in poor condition, and they moved to approve demolition except for the front two rooms; the motion passed with recorded votes noted in the record.
Council discussions noted the tension between preserving historic character and returning properties to active use; in these cases the council majority sided with applicants and neighborhood supporters citing condition and redevelopment benefits.