APPROVE the demolition of the 1968 addition to the James Park House, which is not sympathetic in size, and varies in design from the original structure;
APPROVE the addition of a two story joined building to the south of the Park House.
Demolish 1968 non-contributing addition; construct new addition on south side of building to contain stairs, elevator and rest rooms.
The James Park House is a two story brick house with an added ell. The house's foundation was reportedly built by Governor John Sevier, with two dates given for that construction - 1790 and 1805. Sevier never completed the house, and the lot and foundation were sold to James Dunlap, who in turn sold the property to James Park in 1812. Park finished its construction in 1812, and apprently added the ell within the next few years (c.1830). The form of the house includes intersecting gable roofs, now covered with asphalt shingles, with end chimneys flanked by vent windows. Nine over nine double hung windows are on the first and second stories. A raised basement at the west end provides an entry and a window for the basement. An added front entry faces Cumberland Avenue, and is one story in height with a hip roof and simple wood columns and balustrade. This front porch addition was reportedly design by Charles Barber and is part of the 1945 additions to the house (the original entry faced Market Street). A large brick two story addition at the rear of the house was made in 1968.
Demolition of the large 1968 addition will return the Park House to its original footprint. This large addition is not in scale with the original house, and is a detriment to understanding the original design and residential character of the building. The addition, which will be much smaller and attached to the rear (south) elevation of the James Park House through a glass-walled hyphen, alludes to the agricultural outbuildings that were located on the site in the 19th century.
Final design details will still need to be approved by the HZC at a later time. Approval of the plan in concept is necessary so that the applicant can proceed with building acquisition, since his use of the building is contingent on being able to remove the large addition and construct stair and elevator access in a separate, new addition, as proposed.
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