OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Orleans HDLC Meeting Summary: January 6, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, January 7, 2026
BodyNew Orleans, Louisiana
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, January 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 19:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Yeah.

0:01

Shawanda Pourray Adson.

0:03

Greg Hackenberg present.

0:06

Similar been present.

0:08

Jim Ashby, Adson.

0:13

Jennifer Green, present.

0:15

Jenny Quest, present.

0:17

And Annie Clark, absent.

0:19

Jason King, absent.

0:21

Ross Carson, present.

0:24

Annie Urban, present.

0:25

Dara Lewis, present.

0:27

The assembly members constituted the floor.

0:29

Thank you.

0:30

Welcome everyone.

0:31

Welcome to the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission meeting of January 6, 2026.

0:36

We would like to thank you for attending and appreciate your support and cooperation with the HDLC.

0:40

The HDLC is located in the city hall on the seventh floor of the city's one stop shop.

0:45

Our mission is to safeguard the heritage of the city of New Orleans by preserving and regulating historic landmarks and districts which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history.

0:54

The full HDLC mission statement can be found online.

0:57

The HDLC has written guidelines that outline our policies and procedures.

1:00

These are available on the city's website.

1:03

We ask that you please determine if your property is in an HDLC district or if your property is an HDLC landmark prior to beginning any work or repairs on the property.

1:12

If the worker repairs are visible from the public right-of-way, the work requires a certificate from the HDLC, which is known as a certificate of appropriateness or a C of A.

1:21

You must get a C of A prior to beginning work.

1:23

Once a C of A is issued, changes must be approved before work commences on these changes.

1:28

If you have any questions about our policies or procedures, we have a highly qualified staff ready to assist you.

1:33

Please pay attention to the following meeting rules.

1:35

If you plan on speaking in or not, the applicant, you must fill out a speaker's card and hand it to the staff prior to the meeting.

1:41

These are on the table as you just walked in.

1:43

All speakers must state their name and address for the record.

1:45

Our meetings are televised and recorded.

1:47

There's a two-minute speaking time limit.

1:50

Please turn all cell phones off or on vibrate.

1:52

Phone conversations should be conducted outside of this room.

1:55

And if your application is denied or there is a no action vote, you have 10 calendar days from the date of this meeting to appeal to city council in writing, and the staff will furnish you with the details of this appeals process.

2:04

Thank you.

2:10

Okay, first item on the agenda is uh meeting minutes, the minutes of Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 meeting.

2:17

Do we have a motion to approve?

2:20

Thank you.

2:20

Commissioner Lupin, seconded by Commissioner Port.

2:25

Um sorry.

2:27

Commissioner Hackenberg.

2:29

Sorry, got a warm up in the new year.

2:31

Um all those in favor.

2:33

All those opposed, the motion carries unanimously.

2:36

Uh item three, landmark nomination of 530 Pelican Avenue.

2:42

This is the landmark nomination of Mount Olivet Episcopal Church.

2:46

528 530 Pelican Avenue is a contributing rated structure in the Alders Point Local and National Register Historic District, located on lots 24 and 25 of municipal square 26 and municipal district 5.

2:58

The building faces Pelican Avenue is backed by Deleron Street and is bound by Barette Street and Olivier Street.

3:05

The land that the church sits on was purchased December 3rd, 1852 from J.

3:08

B.

3:09

Olivier.

3:10

The church's official history states that the building was constructed in 1854.

3:14

Numerous primary source documents state that in 1866 a fire badly damaged the original church and it had to be rebuilt with a consecration date of 1869.

3:22

Another fire occurred in 1893.

3:24

A new church was built in 1894, which necessitated the move of this structure to its present location where it was used as a school and then parish hall.

3:32

The circa 1894 church was demolished in 1961, and this building again became the active church.

3:38

This building underwent an extensive renovation in 2019.

3:42

The historic district landmarks commission evaluates the significance of a structure based on the four criteria established by section 8422 of the city code, any one of which can make a building eligible for nomination.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████87%
Procedural█████10%
Technology and Innovation██3%
Summary of Proceedings

New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission Meeting - January 6, 2026

The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) convened on January 6, 2026, with a quorum present to review landmark nominations, consent agenda items, new business applications for construction and demolition, and retention matters. The meeting proceeded with the unanimous approval of prior minutes, a landmark nomination for study, and several routine work applications. Significant deliberation occurred regarding the potential demolition of a culturally significant Storyville-era building, resulting in a deferral to allow for preservation discussions.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the minutes from the December 3, 2025, meeting (moved by Commissioner Lupin, seconded by Commissioner Hackenberg; unanimous).
  • Approval of Consent Agenda items: 1600 Magazine Street, 524 Phillips Street, 3021-37 South Carrollton Avenue, 5800 St. Charles Avenue, and 606-08 Frenchman Street (moved by Commissioner Lupin, seconded by Commissioner Hackenberg; unanimous).
  • Ratification of Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and staff actions since the December 3, 2025 meeting (moved by Commissioner Hackenberg, seconded by Commissioner Green; unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mary Nell Nolan Wheatley (Preservation Resource Center):
    • Regarding 4854 Camp Street: Expressed support for the commission's previous denial of illegal demolition retention and its requirement that new construction replicate the previous massing. Stated full support for the applicant's current proposal to build a two-base single shotgun as presented. Explicitly argued that the applicant should be required to use only salvaged historic materials, noting that the applicant previously sent century-old, high-density lumber to a landfill.
    • Regarding 1534 St. Louis Street: Identified the building as one of only three remaining from the historic and culturally significant Storyville district. Expressed full opposition to the potential demolition due to the loss of cultural heritage and jazz history. Advocated for a deferral to allow time for the PRC and the owner to find a resolution that avoids demolition and to gather further structural and historical data.

Discussion Items

  • Landmark Nomination (530 Pelican Avenue - Mount Olivet Episcopal Church):
    • Staff reported that the building, located on lots 24 and 25 of municipal square 26, was originally constructed in 1854, rebuilt in 1869 following a fire, and moved to its current location in 1894. The commission noted a discrepancy in the address, clarifying that the nomination refers to the building at 528 Pelican Avenue (next to 530), which is the specific church structure being nominated for study.
    • Commissioner Hackenberg nominated the property for study as a landmark; Commissioner Irvin seconded the motion.
  • New Construction (4854 Camp Street):
    • Michael Moore (applicant) reapplied for new construction following an October 2025 denial regarding the illegal demolition of a contributing structure. He accepted all ARC recommendations, including submitting revised drawings. Commissioner Carson expressed hope that the project proceeds as drawn and noted that the community will be watching; he moved for approval.
  • Renovation (1435-39 Pocker Street):
    • Tracy Ash (applicant) requested approval to replace a wood gable louver vent with a clear glass window, enlarge a double-hung window to a paired casement window, and install two roof-mounted solar arrays. The applicant stated belief that the minimal visibility of the side window is in accordance with guidelines. Staff recommended approval provided ARC recommendations regarding window detailing were followed.
  • Demolition (1534 St. Louis Street):
    • Staff recommended a deferral due to the building's poor condition but noted the availability of a new engineer's report obtained by the Preservation Resource Center that could provide a path toward rehabilitation. The application was deferred following the PRC's testimony on the building's cultural significance.
  • Retention Application (630 St. Rock Avenue):
    • Staff reviewed the installation of inappropriate blue-colored asphalt shingles on this contributing structure, which was performed without a permit between March 2022 and August 2025. Staff noted that while the blue color is currently inappropriate, it may weather to a darker appearance, and other historic features (chimneys, ridge tiles) were retained.
  • Commissioner Attendance:
    • The chair commended Commissioner Carson for 100% attendance at all meetings.

Key Outcomes

  • Landmark Nomination: Property at 528/530 Pelican Avenue (Mount Olivet Episcopal Church) approved for study as a landmark (unanimous).
  • Consent Agenda: Items A-E approved (unanimous).
  • 4854 Camp Street: New construction application approved with unanimous consent (11-0), contingent on adherence to revised drawings and ARC recommendations.
  • 1435-39 Pocker Street: Window modifications and solar panel installation approved (unanimous), provided final details match the double-hung windows per ARC recommendations.
  • 1534 St. Louis Street: Demolition application deferred to the February HDLC meeting (majority motion carried) to allow for further rehabilitation discussions; moved by Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Lupin.
  • 630 St. Rock Avenue: Retention of inappropriate blue shingle color approved with the proviso that an appropriate shingle color must be used in the future if the roof is replaced again (unanimous).
  • Next Steps: Commission adjourned with a meeting scheduled for February 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah. Shawanda Pourray Adson. Greg Hackenberg present. Similar been present. Jim Ashby, Adson. Jennifer Green, present. Jenny Quest, present. And Annie Clark, absent. Jason King, absent. Ross Carson, present. Annie Urban, present. Dara Lewis, present. The assembly members constituted the floor. Thank you. Welcome everyone. Welcome to the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission meeting of January 6, 2026. We would like to thank you for attending and appreciate your support and cooperation with the HDLC. The HDLC is located in the city hall on the seventh floor of the city's one stop shop. Our mission is to safeguard the heritage of the city of New Orleans by preserving and regulating historic landmarks and districts which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history. The full HDLC mission statement can be found online. The HDLC has written guidelines that outline our policies and procedures. These are available on the city's website. We ask that you please determine if your property is in an HDLC district or if your property is an HDLC landmark prior to beginning any work or repairs on the property. If the worker repairs are visible from the public right-of-way, the work requires a certificate from the HDLC, which is known as a certificate of appropriateness or a C of A. You must get a C of A prior to beginning work. Once a C of A is issued, changes must be approved before work commences on these changes. If you have any questions about our policies or procedures, we have a highly qualified staff ready to assist you. Please pay attention to the following meeting rules. If you plan on speaking in or not, the applicant, you must fill out a speaker's card and hand it to the staff prior to the meeting. These are on the table as you just walked in. All speakers must state their name and address for the record. Our meetings are televised and recorded. There's a two-minute speaking time limit. Please turn all cell phones off or on vibrate. Phone conversations should be conducted outside of this room. And if your application is denied or there is a no action vote, you have 10 calendar days from the date of this meeting to appeal to city council in writing, and the staff will furnish you with the details of this appeals process. Thank you. Okay, first item on the agenda is uh meeting minutes, the minutes of Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 meeting. Do we have a motion to approve? Thank you. Commissioner Lupin, seconded by Commissioner Port. Um sorry. Commissioner Hackenberg. Sorry, got a warm up in the new year. Um all those in favor. All those opposed, the motion carries unanimously. Uh item three, landmark nomination of 530 Pelican Avenue. This is the landmark nomination of Mount Olivet Episcopal Church. 528 530 Pelican Avenue is a contributing rated structure in the Alders Point Local and National Register Historic District, located on lots 24 and 25 of municipal square 26 and municipal district 5. The building faces Pelican Avenue is backed by Deleron Street and is bound by Barette Street and Olivier Street.

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