Historic Zoning Commission

Old North Knoxville H: Level I/II

3-E-23-HZ

Applicant Request

Replace existing roof cladding with dimensional shingles. Install new gutters. Repair existing wood siding and architectural details or replace in-kind, with size, design, and materials to match existing. Replace tongue-and-groove porch flooring in-kind; replace wood beadboard ceiling sections where damaged. Repair to existing wood windows. Above scopes of work approved administratively 3/1/2023.

Below scopes of work to be reviewed by HZC 3/16/2023.

Chimney removal or reconstruction: applicant is requesting option 1: to remove the remainder of a brick masonry chimney on the southwest section of the roof slope (chimney demolished by a falling tree in approximately 2013) and option 2: to reconstruct the chimney with details and dimensions comparable to a brick masonry chimney of a similar period. Potential replacement in-kind of original wood windows.

Condition of approval per 3/16/2023 HZC meeting: 1) final specifications for any replacement windows to be submitted to staff for approval. Both chimney options approved by HZC.

Site Info

From NRHP nomination: Two and one-half story frame with weatherboard wall covering. Gable roof with asphalt shingle covering, fish scale wood shingles
in gables, applied trim on gable on front elevation, rectangular sawn wood attic vents and semi-circular small-paned windows in gable. Canted corners on east and north elevation with sawn wood trim with drop pendants. Double hung two over two windows with some leaded, stained glass and Queen Anne windows. One story wrap around front and side porch with turned columns and milled balustrade. Second story one bay porch with turned columns and spindle work balustrade. Two interior offset brick chimneys. Brick foundation. Irregular plan. Reportedly designed by George Barber.

1. 523 E. Oklahoma Ave is a contributing resource to the ONK National Register Historic District and local overlay. The house has experienced more than a decade of deferred maintenance and was recently the subject of the City's Demolition by Neglect process. The house retains a high degree of architectural integrity and many original features and materials.

2. Most scopes of work involve repair to or replacement in-kind of existing elements, which meet the design guidelines and were approved as a Level 1 COA on 3/1/2023.

3. The primary discussion point for the HZC is the removal of reconstruction of the left side chimney, which was demolished by a tree in 2013. The resulting hole has contributed to significant moisture damage in the attic and both levels of the house.

4. The guidelines recommend repairing or replacing roof details such as chimneys. Past requests for chimney removals have typically been denied in ONK, with applicants being recommended to repair or reconstruct existing chimneys. However, these requests are to remove existing chimneys, instead of several remaining courses of brick from a chimney struck by a tree a decade ago. In the opinion of staff, in this instance, either option proposed by the applicant is appropriate.

5. While repair to the original windows is the preferred option, some windows may be too deteriorated to repair; in this case, replacement windows should be the same overall size, with the same pane division and muntin depth, width, and profile, and materials, with final specs submitted to staff for approval.