Mardi

Though they officially took "no action," the city's historic commission dealt a blow to  the controversial Elisio Lofts project today. Citing the 75-foot height of the proposed Marigny development's tallest building, the Historic District Landmarks Commission denied conceptual approval of the residential and commercial complex. Developer Sean Cummings wants to build a three-building complex at the corner of Elysian Fields Ave. and Decatur St., but ran into neighborhood opposition - lead by the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association - over the height of the tallest building.

Opponents argued that the maximum height of buildings in the Marigny has long been 50 ft. One woman began to tear up as she said the large building would wall the building off from "the lifeblood of our city, the river." Opponents also argued the building did not provide enough parking.

Cummings said the building fits in with the city's plan from the riverfront, and repeated his assertion that the average height of the buildings is 42 ft. He withstood questioning from the Commission about whether the building will have long-term leases (6 months, he said) and the parking issue.

After voicing concerns about "allowing precedent" for the height of new buildings, one commissioner asked if the height of the building was negotiable.

"We think the 75 ft. is important to the success of the project," he said.

The commission made a motion to request that the height be reduced to 60 ft., but that failed to pass after the vote split. The tally technically amounted to a "no action" vote. Under HDLC regulations, that means it will go in th books as a denial.

Cummings, who has received approval for the project from the City Planning Commission and the HDLC's architectural review committee, can appeal the full HDLC's decision to the City Council.

Correction: "Three-building complex," originally read "three-tower complex."