Historic Zoning Commission

Ft. Sanders NC-1: Level IV

6-G-16-HZ

Applicant Request

Level IV. Demolition or relocation of contributing structure

Demolish contributing structure

Site Info

Two-story frame with brick veneer wall covering. Pyramidal hip roof with asphalt shingle covering. Enclosed and extended shed-roof front porch and added enclosed entry on east elevation. Three-over-one paired double-hung windows on second level. Projecting bay on east side. Brick foundation. Rectangular plan constructed as a duplex.

1) The building is deemed a contributing structure within both the local H-1 Overlay and the National Register historic districts. It is contributing due the fact that it was constructed during the Fort Sanders Historic District period of significance and contributes to the White Avenue streetscape as a two-story brick structure as are others on the street. Additionally, the Craftsman style is typical in that portion of the district.

2) The building has not been condemned by the City of Knoxville, nor has the City enacted the demolition-by-neglect ordinance for this property. (Ord. No. O-427-03,§ 9, 12-9-03) Sec. 6-180)

3) An application for demolition was denied by the Knoxville HZC in May 2015, based on the findings that the essential form and integrity of the house could be re-established with removal of the enclosure on the front, and the exterior perimeter foundation framing wall is in good condition according to the submitted Engineer's report dated 9-14-13."

4) The owner has submitted a report (contained in this submittal tab 12) from a licensed structural engineer and appraisals from real estate professionals standards which together make the claim that the costs to bring the structure up to safe and habital standards are not financially warranted.

5) The main structural deficiencies based on the engineering report appears to be the lack of the front foundation wall which was removed when the front porch was replaced, the inadequate interior floor structure, and the lack of the original interior dividing wall on the first floor which created the former duplex structure.

6) The owner has submitted an architect's report (contained in this submittal tab 14) which lists the repairs/replacements needed to make the building more structurally sound. These include new windows, repair of soffits, replacement of roof sheathing and shingles, filling in the opening created by removing the existing restaurant-era front porch enclosure, frame-in new interior wall dividing the first floor along the original wall line, and replacing entry doors. The exterior repairs and replacements would render a sound building shell and are the only work that would be reviewed by the HZC.