Historic Zoning Commission

Old North Knoxville H: Level I/II

5-B-23-HZ

Applicant Request

Overall exterior rehabilitation project.

Level 1 scopes: Removal of asphalt shingle roof cladding and replacement with new asphalt shingle roof. Roof work also includes repair or replacement in-kind to soffit and fascia, and installation of new gutters. Repair to existing 2/2 double-hung wood windows. Installation of new window left side elevation, close to the rear elevation - overall window opening was infilled with siding and a replacement window was installed; new window will match the original size and be a one-over-one, double-hung wood window. Repair to existing back deck. Refinishing of/repair to two exterior doors. Repair to existing siding; approximately 10% of existing aluminum siding will be replaced in-kind.

Level 2 scopes:
Removal of non-historic vinyl shutters on the façade; proposed installation of new wood shutters.

Demolition of chimney on northwest corner of roof slope; chimney is an interior chimney clad in stucco or Portland Cement and recessed behind a façade side-gable roof massing.

Removal of second entry door on the façade. Door is a non-historic metal six-panel door installed on the right (east) side of the projecting front-gable massing, installed as an exterior entrance to a second unit.

Installation of new window left side elevation, close to the rear elevation. Overall window opening was infilled with siding and a replacement window was installed; new window will match the original size and be a one-over-one, double-hung wood window.

Paint proposed for brick foundation.

Removal of non-original iron porch columns and railing; installation of turned wood posts and a wood balustrade.

Moving location of rear elevation door. Existing door is located on the left side of the rear elevation; applicant proposes to shift it to the right side of the existing window bay. Existing door will be reused.

APPROVED 5.18.2023, subject to the following conditions: 1) new shutters to reflect the overall size and shape of the windows, with final specs submitted to staff; 2) applicant to provide further information on existing treatments on brick foundation before applying new paint; 3) applicant to provide a drawing of front porch elements to staff for approval, with new porch elements to be compatible with historic posts and balusters in the neighborhood.

Site Info

One-story frame residence with a hipped roof with projecting gables, clad in asphalt shingles, an exterior clad in aluminum siding, and a continuous brick foundation.

1. 420 E. Oklahoma Ave is a contributing resource to the ONK National Register Historic District and local overlay.

2. The majority of the proposed scopes of work are level 1 scopes of work which clearly meet the design guidelines and would be approved on an administrative level.

3. Removal of non-historic vinyl shutters and replacement with new wood shutters is appropriate. The new shutters should be operable and reflect the overall size and shape of the windows on which they'll be installed.

4. Guidelines recommend repairing and retaining masonry details such as chimneys. The chimney in question is not a character-defining feature on the house, as it is clad in Portland cement or non-historic stucco and minimally visible from the street. In the opinion of staff, removal of this chimney is appropriate.

5. Removal of second non-historic entry doors have been proposed and approved frequently in Old North Knoxville. The door to be removed is not an original or character-defining feature and not prominently visible from the public right-of-way.

6. Applying paint or other surface coverings to unpainted historic masonry is strongly discouraged in the design guidelines. However, the existing foundation shows existing red paint or a stain. The applicant should provide additional information on the existing foundation covering to staff prior to applying new paint to the foundation.

7. Removal of the non-original iron porch detailing and installation of new posts and a balustrade is appropriate within the guidelines. The applicant should provide final specifications, including the selected posts and baluster details with measurements, to staff for approval. Balusters should be set into the top and bottom rails. The posts should reflect those on comparable houses in the neighborhood in size and balustrade may not be required to be 36" by code if the foundation height is under 30" tall.

8. Replacement of a non-historic side elevation window with a new window that matches the originals in size and material is appropriate within the guidelines.

9. The proposed door to be shifted in location is not visible from the right-of-way and will retain the original or existing door. Shifting the door will not require the removal or alteration of any historic features.

10. The ONK design guidelines note "if artificial siding is present on any elevation of a building and must be removed in order to repair the building structurally, it can be replaced on the building if no more than 49% of any elevation's additional siding is removed. If 50% of the artificial siding on any elevation is removed for repair, it cannot be replaced." The siding repair/patching proposed by the applicant does meet this guideline, though the applicant also has the option of removing the aluminum siding and repairing the wood underneath. New aluminum siding should not exceed 50% of any elevation's wall area.