Historic Zoning Commission

Fourth and Gill H: Level II

10-C-20-HZ

Applicant Request

Level I. Routine repair of siding, fascia, soffit, windows, roof, or other features using materials, design, and dimensions that match original or early features

Replacement in-kind of wood, tongue-and-groove porch ceiling with beadboard detail. Repair to existing porch railing (may require removal and re-installation in parts). Level I work approved 9/22/20.

Proposed replacement of existing wood tongue-and-groove porch flooring with a hardwood material (Camaru hardwood). Proposed replacement boards are .75" thick by 3", tongue-and-groove.

Proposed replacement of three existing wood columns on porch façade with three fiberglass composite columns (three columns on façade of hosue). Applicant will retain and re-install existing capitals and pressure-treated wood bases will be installed to match existing. The existing wood column is round, 9.5" in diameter at the base and tapers slightly. The proposed column is round, tapered, 10" in diameter at the base, and consists of PermaCast structural fiberglass material.

Due to concerns about reinstalling the existing railing into the new proposed columns, the applicant is proposing replacement of the existing railing with a new 36" tall square picket railing of pressure-treated wood to match provide specifications. Balusters will be 1.5", square, set 2.5" apart and installed into the top and bottom rails, which are 2x4 pressure-treated wood with a sloped top and routed details on the top corners.

Conditions identified at 10/15/2020 HZC Meeting: 1) replacement flooring use a tongue-and-groove installation; 2) all efforts be taken to repair existing wood columns and wood railing, with documentation provided to staff; 3) if composite replacement columns must be used, columns retain original capitals and use wood bases to match existing, and composite columns match existing in size and design; 4) if replacement railing must be used, any details on existing wood railing be applied to new wood railing.

Site Info

Two-and-one-half-story residence with a hipped roof with lower gables projecting to the front and side, clad in terracotta tile. House is clad in wood weatherboard siding with scalloped wood shingles in the gable fields, and rests on a brick foundation. A porch wraps around the façade to the right elevation, supported by round Ionic columns.

1. 1127 Luttrell Street is a contributing resource to the Fourth and Gill National Register Historic District and local historic overlay.

2. Replacement of deteriorated tongue-and-groove porch flooring is appropriate. The Camaru hardwood boards are approximately two inches wider than the common wood tongue-and-groove boards, which average around 3" wide. The proposed method of construction also includes decking instead of tongue-and-groove installation.

3. As the porch flooring is minimally visible from the public right-of-way and the installation pattern will reflect the existing pattern, the use of Camaru hardwood could be an appropriate replacement material, if the flooring can "duplicate the original size and design." Tongue-and-groove installation will assist in keeping water off the porch framing and foundation.

4. The porch features five full columns: three round columns with Scamozzi capitals on the façade, and two more matching columns on the right side elevation. The applicant has submitted photographs showing some patching of existing wood rot on one column. Only the three frontmost columns are proposed for replacement.

5. Fiberglass-reinforced polymer composite columns were approved in Fourth and Gill in 2014; however, they were approved as a replacement for non-original fiberglass columns. Similar replacement columns were approved in Old North Knoxville in 2012 and 2013, noting the "painted surface of a composite column is more difficult to discern from the painted surface of a new wood column," and that "new wood or new composite columns would be equally devoid of texture and 'new' in appearance."

6. If the wood columns must be replaced, the applicant has requested replacement of the original or historic wood railing as well. The new wood railing will be taller than the existing, per City Plans Review and Inspections enforcement of building codes. All efforts should first be taken to repair the existing wood columns and retain the historic wood railing.

7. If the wood columns must be replaced, replacement with composite columns could be appropriate, as long as the replacement columns are smooth-finished, painted, and retain original capitals and wood bases to match existing.