Historic Zoning Commission

Ft. Sanders NC: Level II

2-A-24-HZ

Applicant Request

Exterior rehabilitation of new house and new rear and left side addition.

Exterior rehabilitation scopes include removal of existing vinyl siding and installation of new fiber cement lap and diamond-pattern siding. Front porch roof and foundation to be removed and reconstructed in-kind; low-slope hipped roof will be reconstructed and new tapered wood posts on brick piers will replicate existing columns. Applicant also lists roof replacement, new fascia and soffits, replacement of windows and doors, repair and replacement in patches of brick foundation.

New rear addition. One section of the house to be removed and reconstructed, with an additional new two-story section to project from the rear. Addition will feature a gable roof clad in asphalt shingles, an exterior of fiber cement lap siding, gable fields clad in diamond print siding, and two stories of one-over-one, double-hung windows. The existing front gable roofline will be continued towards the rear, with a second cross gable replicating the size and pitch of the frontmost cross gable. The rear elevation features a second-story deck and secondary entry.

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL PER 2.15.2024 HZC MEETING: 1) reconstructed porch roof to match design and pitch of the existing; 2) porch columns and foundation to match dimensions of existing; 3) final drawings to indicate appropriately-sized cornerboards, window, and door trim; 4) new door to meet design guidelines, with approval by staff; 5) final site plan to reflect City Engineering standards; 6) applicant to incorporate an inset between original house and new addition on irght side elevation; 7) vent to be installed on rear elevation gable, to match vent on front elevation gable.

Site Info

Two-story frame residence with a cross-gable roof, an exterior of vinyl siding, and a wraparound Craftsman-style porch with a brick foundation.

1. 1726 Forest Ave is a contributing resource to the Fort Sanders National Register Historic District and local NC overlay. The house is a two-story Queen Anne house with a Craftsman-style porch.

2. The application includes the removal of exterior vinyl siding and replacement with fiber cement lap and diamond shingle siding, with diamond patterned siding in the gable fields, which meets the Fort Sanders design guidelines. The project should incorporate appropriately-sized vertical cornerboards, window trim, and door trim.

3. Reconstruction of the front porch roof, foundation, and columns meet the design guidelines. The reconstructed front porch roof should match the design and pitch of existing. The proposed removal of one square wood post is appropriate.

4. Some window fenestrations may be shifted and new window openings will be installed. Currently, windows on the left side elevation have been enclosed with vinyl siding; installing new openings on that elevation is appropriate. The application retains the diamond louvered vent on the façade.

5. The applicant proposes to remove a section of the rear elevation, extending the primary gable roofline for the rear addition. On the left side, the gable roof will be extended approximately ten feet for a side addition. The new rooflines meet the design guidelines. The existing, reconstructed, and new sections of roof should retain eave overhangs.

6. In general, the placement of a new addition on the rear elevation is appropriate within the design guidelines. The existing house is two stories. The proposed addition is significantly larger than the original house, and includes an addition on the left side elevation. On the right elevation, the addition should be differentiated from the existing house via a 6"-12" inset or other method.

7. The replacement door on the façade should meet the design guidelines ("similar proportions and features to pre-1940 architecture"). The new addition's roof should include ~1' eave overhangs on all elevations.

8. Final modifications to the site plan may be necessary to meet City Engineering standards for parking. The house and parking area should remain below the 45% impervious surface requirement for the RN-5 zoning. The final site plan could be approved by staff, provided there are no substantial modifications to the addition's design and placement.