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Historic commission reviews exterior work, gives tentative approvals pending ratification
Summary
At its May 4 meeting the Natchitoches Historic District Commission, without a quorum, reviewed several permit applications — including multiple roof replacements, a sign renovation, a detached garage and an emergency roof for the old train depot — and granted tentative approvals subject to ratification at the next meeting.
The Natchitoches Historic District Commission reviewed multiple exterior-permit applications May 4 but did not take formal votes because it lacked a quorum, the chair said. Commissioners and applicants discussed roof replacements, a sign renovation, an accessory garage and an emergency roof repair for the city court building (the old train depot) and agreed to tentatively approve the work pending ratification at the next scheduled meeting.
Chair (the commission chair) opened the meeting by saying the body did not have a quorum and that minutes for April 6 would not be approved. Despite that, members proceeded to consider applications on a tentative basis and asked applicants to provide samples and specifications that staff will ratify at the next meeting.
Christina, representing the Prudhomme Rookier Foundation at 446 Jefferson Street, described proposed repairs to rotted siding and dormer sides. "All we're doing is replacing rotted wood and putting the same back," she said, adding that the project would match existing paint colors and that Hardie board might be used on the dormer sides to address rapid rot.
The commission reviewed several roof applications. For 417 Jefferson Street (application O50401, Hargrove Roofing Partnership), members confirmed a Weathered Wood architectural shingle sample and the chair said the application appeared complete and could receive tentative approval. At 817 Fourth Street (application O50404), applicant Cynthia Mandarino and others confirmed structural repairs were already completed and that the new roof would use the color listed in the packet.
John Whitehead presented a sign renovation for 320 Saint Denis that uses the existing mounting post and a double-sided, full-color hanging sign placed about 132 inches above ground; members said the design met district guidelines. Applicant Cody described a proposed detached garage at 940 Washington Street with exterior paint Benjamin Moore OC-25, a roof that will match existing shingles if available, and Hardie-style exterior cladding; commissioners requested lighting samples when the applicant is ready to install fixtures.
The commission added an emergency application for the old train depot at 314 Amulet Street, presented by Shannon LaBruheem on behalf of the City of Natchitoches city court. LaBruheem said the building has experienced "continuous leaks" and asked permission "to replace the entire roof with the material that we brought." She noted the product will preserve the building's appearance and "it's gonna have a 50 warranty." Members agreed the proposed shingle preserves the streetside appearance and acknowledged the need for an expedited repair.
Because the body had no quorum, members framed approvals as tentative. The chair said staff will submit the applications for ratification at the next meeting and that permits may be issued after that ratification. No formal recorded votes were taken during the session.
Next steps: staff will prepare ratification paperwork and confirm required samples (lighting, roof samples) are on file. Applicants were told to drop physical samples or documentation at the Historic District Commission office and await the meeting where the commission can act with a quorum.
