Approve adding porch columns w-6x6 square wood columns. Replace t & g porch decking. Construct wood deck to extend from south side around existing screened porch & add steps and screened door. Screen in bottom half of rear porch. Balustrade denied.
Front porch:
Replace non-original aluminum fluted porch columns with either square or round non-fluted columns to match dimensions of existing. Install (to meet code building code) 2x2 square balustrade and step railings with newel where none exists. Balusters will die into the top and bottom rails and not overlap the outside of the railings. Repoint / repair brick foundation in-kind. Replace tongue-and-groove porch decking to match existing 4" decking. Re-paint previously painted foundation and steps.
Rear porch:
Replace plywood enclosure on bottom half of nonoriginal rear side porch with mesh screening to match top half of porch enclosure. Add screen door on side of porch. Construct wood deck to extend from south side around existing screened porch to west side of house to tie into existing rear wood deck. Add wood steps from existing rear door to deck. Install metal storm windows with white metal frames.
Two-story frame with artificial wall siding. Side gable roof with front gable wing. Six over six double hung windows. One- story front and side wrap around porch with round metal-covered columns with Doric capitals, brick buttresses at front steps. Two interior offset brick chimneys. Brick foundation. Irregular plan.
Installation of a front porch balustrade are denied without prejudice. Th steps may be reviewed by HZC at a future date pending requirements of the homeowner's property insurance company.
STAFF FINDINGS
1) The current porch posts, which are not original, are covered in round fluted aluminum sheathing.
2) No documentation has been discovered as to the type of original porch supports.
3) Examples in the neighborhood and in architectural guidebooks indicate that the original porch supports on this style of house were either square (6x6) or round, and would not have been fluted.
4) No front porch balustrade exists, and no documentation has been discovered as to indicate that a balustrade ever existed.
5) The porch and steps are 30 inches above grade in most places. If required and approved, the building permit requires that the porch balustrade be built to code at 36-inches tall.
6) The proposed simple balustrade with 2x2-inch square balusters and stair railing is appropriate based on examples of other similar-era houses in the neighborhood and architectural manuals. The balustrade will be constructed to code at 36" high, but implementing a design to reduce the apparent height of the railing.
7) A deck and screening for the rear porch was approved by the HZC in February 2004; however, there is no documentation in the files as to the design that was approved for the deck.
8) The deck will be partially visible from the street on the south side of the house. Given the rear location of the deck, it will not detract from the historic integrity of the house.
9) As recommended by the guidelines, it will be apparent that the new deck is not a historic-period structure since it will be built as a modern deck construction, not as a porch. However, the balusterw will die into, and not overlap the top and bottom rails.
DESIGN GUIDELINES (4th and Gill): New Additions
1. Locate attached exterior additions at the rear or on an
inconspicuous side of a historic building, limiting the size and
scale in relationship to the historic building. Proportion is
very important.
2. Design new additions in a manner that makes clear what is
historic and what is new.
4. Place new additions, such as balconies or solar greenhouses,
on non-character-defining elevations, and limit the size and
scale in relationship to the historic building.
PORCHES
Rehabilitation and New Construction
1. Repair porches on historic houses using wood floors,
balustrades, posts and columns, or replace duplicating the
original size and design. Reconstruction of the documented
original porch is also appropriate.
6. Screening porches may be acceptable if screening is translucent
and the open appearance of the porch is maintained.
SECRETARY OF INTERIORS STANDARDS
3. All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that
have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
4. Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and
development of a building, structure, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired
significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
5. Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building,
structure, or site shall be treated with sensitivity.
10. Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to structure shall be done in such a manner that if such
additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the
structure would not be impaired.
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Knoxville-Knox County Planning
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