Historic Zoning Commission
Ft. Sanders NC-1: Level II
3-F-20-HZ
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the work proposed, with the following conditions: 1) omit egress window in façade (east) gable field (smaller casement window for natural light, if necessary, could be approved by staff); 2) paired windows on south elevation remain the same size as the original windows; 3) reconstructed front porch retain shed roof and square columns as existing; 4) if foundation must be reconstructed in locations other than front porch, under façade bay window, and rear addition, a revised application for a COA be submitted; 5) final drawings submitted for permitting to match specifics of the proposed construction, including final window placement and size; a shed-roof porch; and a shed-roof rear addition
Applicant Request
Level II. Major repair or replacement of materials or architectural elements
Additions; Doors; Porch; Roofing; Siding; Windows- Demolition of rear (west) elevation shed-roof stoop.
- Construction of rear (west elevation) addition: addition will measure 12'-7" wide by 7'-3" deep and feature a shed roof, with a 24" by 24" casement window on the rear elevation of the addition. Addition will also require relocation of the rear door and rear elevation window to the gable-roof massing to the right.
- Reconstruction of front porch (east elevation): existing porch will be demolished and be reconstructed with a foundation clad in brick veneer, new 6" by 6" square posts to match existing, and a square picket railing. Wood steps will be removed and reconstructed with handrails to match railing.
- Windows: existing windows will be replaced with one-over-one, double-hung vinyl windows. Attic vents proposed to be replaced with egress windows on façade and side (north, east, and south) gable fields. Egress windows to be 36" x 42". Façade first story will receive additional double-hung window, 36" by 72". Several side windows proposed to be partially or fully enclosed.
Site Info
Queen Anne cottage, c.1910.One-story frame residence with an exterior of vinyl siding. Hipped roof with lower cross gables, and a sawn wood attic vent and cornice in the front gable. Two-over-two, double-hung windows. One-story, one-half porch with turned wood columns. Interior offset brick chimney, brick foundation.
1. The house is a contributing resource to the Fort Sanders NC Overlay and National Register Historic District.
2. The rear shed-roof stoop is not a historic feature of the house and does not contribute to the house's overall integrity. Demolition of the existing shed roof and concrete block foundation for purposes of an addition is appropriate.
3. The rear addition is modest and does not detract from the overall architectural integrity of the house. It is sufficiently offset from the south elevation to differentiate it from the historic house. The proposed rear addition will feature materials that are appropriate within the guidelines. The rear addition should retain a shed roof similar to the existing or the addition constructed at 207 16th, instead of the hipped roof on the renderings.
4. The proposed egress windows meet the minimum size requirement for building code. While applicant has installed egress windows in side gable fields in multiple instances in the Fort Sanders overlay, a full-sized egress window of 36" by 42" is not appropriate for the façade front gable. The renderings provided by applicant are not to scale and the proposed egress window would be too large for the historic proportions of windows.
5. The proposed replacement 1/1 vinyl windows are appropriate under the Fort Sanders NC guidelines. However, partially enclosing the paired windows on the south elevation does not retain window proportions and symmetry that reflects the historic context.
6. Applicant has sufficiently documented deterioration of foundation under the bay window, porch, and shed roof; reconstruction in these locations is appropriate. However, if the scope of reconstruction exceeds that described in the application, applicant will need to submit additional information for review by staff or HZC.
