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DDRC denies wholesale siding replacement at 2819 Bratton Street; staff recommends investigatory removal and spot repairs first
Summary
The DDRC denied a request for wholesale replacement of historic wood siding at 2819 Bratton Street and advised investigatory removal of siding boards to determine the extent of rot before authorizing replacement; staff will oversee any further approvals.
The Design/Development Review Commission denied a certificate of design approval for wholesale replacement of the historic wood siding at 2819 Bratton Street in the Mount Rose / Melrose Heights Oak Lawn Architectural Conservation District, after staff concluded that the majority of the existing siding is repairable and wholesale removal would remove historic material unnecessarily.
Staff told the commission the 1930s-era house retains original wood lap siding with mitered corners and that much of the visible deterioration is peeling paint rather than rot. The presenter said wholesale siding replacement is “rare” in conservation districts and reiterated the district principle of retaining original wood and only replacing deteriorated boards in kind.
Owner Savannah Martin told the commission she had contacted multiple contractors and some advised wholesale replacement because the full extent of underlying deterioration is unknown; she reported one contractor had quoted a full replacement figure she described in the meeting as near $37,000–$40,000 and said she had not obtained a separate quote for limited repairs. Martin said there is evidence of deterioration at the front facade and a board that had fallen off the back of the house.
Staff and commission members recommended an investigatory “test panel” — removing limited siding to inspect the substrate — before approving wholesale replacement. Staff confirmed that if the investigatory removal shows extensive rot that justifies wholesale replacement, staff could approve replacement at the staff level and would recommend materials that match the historic character (staff said Hardie plank is acceptable only in certain limited circumstances but emphasized retaining original wood where feasible).
DDRC members noted the commission has not historically approved wholesale siding replacement in conservation districts and emphasized the homeowner’s interest in a long-term repair solution. The commission voted to deny the wholesale-replacement request; staff advised the applicant to undertake the investigatory removal and to return to staff with findings and repair proposals. If the investigation shows extensive, unavoidable deterioration, staff may approve replacement consistent with guidance.
