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Commission approves removal and replacement of deteriorated chimney at 755 Oakland Ave.
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness to remove a failing rear chimney at 755 Oakland Avenue and install a boxed, thin-brick-veneer chimney to conceal furnace venting after staff said the original was beyond repair.
The Historic Preservation Commission on July 10 approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing the removal of a deteriorated rear chimney and the construction of a boxed chimney finished in thin brick veneer at 755 Oakland Avenue. Anne Russett of Neighborhood and Development Services presented the application and recommended approval.
Staff said the house, built in 1910, is a noncontributing structure within the Longfellow Historic District but that the existing chimney is located on the rear (non‑street) side and is not a prominent architectural feature. "The complete demolition of the chimney is recommended by the contractor as the safest path forward for the homeowner," Russett said, adding that the chimney is deteriorating internally and conceals furnace venting that must be boxed per the guidelines.
The proposal calls for demolition of the existing chimney and construction of a boxed enclosure finished with thin brick veneer or stucco to conceal new venting, with the staff report noting a rustic color for the veneer. Russett told the commission that the proposal follows the guidance that new chimney finishes should use thin brick veneer or stucco when full preservation is not possible.
Commissioner Villanueva moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness as presented; Commissioner Margaret Beck seconded. The commission voted to approve the motion.
The approval allows the homeowner to remove the unsafe chimney and construct the proposed boxed chimney to conceal venting. The staff report and the contractor's assessment that the chimney is beyond repair were the primary bases for the recommendation.
