Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2023 03 20

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REQUEST: The applicant requests the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approve the demolition of the existing principal structure and accessory structures at 1033 Jefferson Avenue. A subcommittee referred the request to the full Historic Preservation Commission. SUMMARY: The applicant is requesting approval to demolish the existing principal structure and garage at 1033 Jefferson Avenue. According to the Louisville Municipal Code (LMC) section 15.36.020, a demolition is an act which removes "fifty percent or more of the roof area as measured from directly above," or "fifty percent or more of the exterior walls of a building as measured contiguously around the building". Under section 15.36.200 of the LMC, if the commission finds that the building may have historical significance under the criteria "no permit for demolition, moving or removal shall be issued for a period not to exceed 180 days from the date the permit application was accepted ... The commission will make all reasonable efforts to expedite resolution of the application or request." Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the demolition request. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Information from Bridget Bacon, Louisville Historical Museum Historically, this home in a relative upscale part of Louisville was the residence of different families that included two stationary engineers for coal mines, a Louisville physician, and the Louisville High School principal. Starting in 1953, the Edward and Beatrice Martella family owned and lived in the house for 63 years. The neighborhood was also historically more affluent. J.C. Williams, a mine superintendent, and Irving Elberson, a banker, were the developers of the Capitol Hill Addition, the plat of which was filed with the County in 1904. According to the report "Stories in Places: Putting Louisville's Residential Development in Context" (Microsoft Word - Final Louisville Residential Context _111918 (louisvilleco.gov)) written by PaleoWest Archaeology for the City of Louisville: "Located on `the hill' overlooking the town to the southeast and the mountains to the west, this subdivision was attractive to people of high economic standing, such as mine foremen. While lots in the southern part of town and near the railroad tracks sold for $40 to $60 in 1909, lots in more affluent subdivisions sold for $100 and more. Not surprisingly then, this subdivision has relatively larger and fancier houses than many other parts of historic Louisville." Regarding the date of construction, Samuel Roop (1871-1925) purchased the lots making up 1033 Jefferson in 1904, in two transactions. He first purchased Lots 8 & 9, then the flanking lots of 7 and 10. (He later sold the north '/2 of Lot 10 and it became part of the parcel next door at 1041 Jefferson. The large change between Roop's 1904 purchase price and 1906 sale price indicate that he had the house constructed during his ownership. The warranty deeds show that Roop purchased the four lots for $200 and sold them (including the extra half lot) for a total of $790 less than two years later. Roop sold the parcel in January 1906, making it unlikely that the house was constructed during 1906. Therefore, it is assumed that the construction date of the original part of the house was "circa 1905. After Roop's sale, the property was owned by the Forte family, during which it appears that the property was rented to the Moore family. Charles Moore worked as a stationary engineer and lived with his wife and three children at the house. It was then purchased by Mary Smith Mitchel in 1918, who later married a Louisville saloonkeeper. Between 1923 and 1953, it was owned by 2 Demolition Review, 1033 Jefferson Avenue 8