Owner plans demolition and rezoning talk after building at 329 North Loud deemed unsafe

Staff briefed the Board of Architectural Review on a structurally failing, contributing wood‑frame building at 329 North Loud Street that the building official has declared unsafe. Agency staff described extensive cross‑bracing visible in photos, a failed foundation causing the structure to lean downhill toward a pedestrian way, and a temporary shoring certification that staff said will protect the building only briefly. The owner of the property was present and told the Board he intends to apply for a demolition permit and hopes to rezone the block before rebuilding.

"The building official has declared it unsafe," staff said, and described that in rare instances the building official may approve a demolition permit without the typical public hearing when there is an immediate danger to life and safety. Staff showed photos of cross‑bracing on all three floors and said the foundation is essentially failed, noting there are occupied buildings adjacent and the city will monitor the foundation of the neighboring 331 North Loud Street if demolition proceeds.

The owner present emphasized a desire to salvage the front porch details if possible and said he would seek rezoning of the block to allow more flexibility for rebuilding. "We are gonna seek to rezone the block," the owner said, adding he owns much of the block and wishes to work with staff to represent the neighborhood character in any rebuild. Staff cautioned that rezoning would be discretionary and require planning commission and council approval.

Board members and staff discussed hazardous‑materials checks (asbestos and lead paint), the demolition approach (hand demolition likely given proximity to adjacent occupied structures), and timing. Staff indicated temporary shoring certified by a structural engineer was rated for roughly two months and that, if the building official maintains the finding of immediate danger, a demolition could proceed quickly to mitigate collapse risk.

Why it matters: The property is a contributing structure in the historic district; its demolition would be a material loss to the district's building fabric and could prompt zoning and design discussions for replacement construction. The situation also raises immediate safety questions for adjacent occupied properties and will involve coordination with building and permitting staff.