Commission ratifies safety boarding for garage, approves house repairs and 44-inch picket fence at 417 Jefferson Street

The Natchitoches Historic District Commission ratified temporary boarding of a damaged garage at 417 Jefferson Street, approved exterior repairs and painting to return the house to historic colors, and approved a 44-inch white picket fence behind the house.

Robert O'Brien told the commission that, after purchasing the property, three inspections found the suspended garage floor was rotted and could collapse; he said an estimated 50-pound weight (used as an illustration in the inspection) could have caused a fall of about 4————4.5 feet. O'Brien said he and contractors had boarded up the garage front to prevent entry and that the boarding was constructed so the interior could not be accessed from the street.

Commissioners discussed the plan to restore the garage and the house exterior. O'Brien said he plans to repair rotted wood, restore exterior paint to the original white identified in historic records, and return other surfaces to a concrete tone where appropriate. The commission required that if the owner uses a nonstandard white or alternative paint name, he must provide a paint sample for the commission's file.

The commission approved a 44-inch-tall white picket fence to be installed behind the house (not visible from the street), and asked O'Brien to update the commission if the temporary boarding remains in place for a year. Commissioners also offered to help provide local contractor contacts for wooden picket fences.

A motion to ratify the safety boarding and to approve the repairs, paint and fence was made by Jared Donahoe and seconded by Mr. Wilson; the motion passed by voice vote. The applicant said he would begin developing a broader plan in January and follow up with commission staff.