Historic Zoning Commission

Knott-York House Individual H Landmark: Level II

2-D-22-HZ

Applicant Request

Proposed demolition of three secondary structures. Structures are non-contributing outbuildings dating to approximately 1930.

Site Info

Primary structure is a two-story brick masonry residence with a side-gable roof clad in asphalt shingles, two exterior brick masonry chimneys, and a continuous brick foundation. One-story Craftsman-style porch added c.1930, along with a rear gable-roof brick masonry addition.

1. The secondary structures proposed for demolition date to approximately 1930 or 1940. The designation report notes that "only the house at 4810 Middlebrook Pike is listed as a contributing property in this historic overlay designation," nothing that "while there are outbuildings on the property, they are more recent."

2. The outbuildings do not belong to the primary period of significance for the property, which is noted as being "significant for its c.1845 architecture, as one of the early Georgian designs for load-bearing brick houses remaining in Knox County." The house is also representative of early development patterns in Knox County, as Middlebrook Pike featured many early farmsteads and "provided access to the farms of west Knox County."

3. The Knott-York House at 4810 N. Middlebrook Pike is subject to TCA 7-51-1201, which prohibits demolition of residential structures which meet three criteria unless demolition is approved by majority vote of the relevant municipal legislative body. However, the state law applies only to the residential structure (house) on the property. The applicant intends to clean, stabilize, and secure the house.