Historic Zoning Commission

Old North Knoxville H-1: Level II

6-G-20-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Major repair or replacement of materials or architectural elements

Exterior rehabilitation of a house damaged by fire, including roof reconstruction, wall framing and siding, and replacement of damaged/missing second-story windows.

-Roof: reconstruction of the roof to match original jerkinhead roofline, with asphalt shingle-cladding on pitched sections of roof and rubber on flat roofline. Soffit and fascia will be reconstructed to match original, with wood painted to match structure and 1' eave overhang.

-Chimneys: brick masonry chimneys, original to structure, were significantly damaged in the fire. One chimney collapsed completely, and the second chimney had partially collapsed and was required to be deconstructed for safety of contractors (fire insurance report on file).

-Replacement of windows: windows to be replaced in same locations as existing. Applicant intends to replace windows to match the originals. Second-story façade windows will be four-light wood casement windows.

-Second-story door: enclosure of second-story door with window. Second-story door had previously led to flat-roof porch with no railing, creating codes issues.

-Siding: replacement of deteriorated wood lap siding to be replaced with new wood lap siding and corner boards to match existing.

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, per 6/18/2020 HZC:
1) the chimneys be reconstructed with dimensions, materials, placement, and design to match the original chimneys;
2) the three adjoining wood louvered vents be restored in their original location with dimensions to match;
3) specifications on the second-story window to replace the door be submitted to staff for approval;
4) second-story façade windows be restored in-kind (materials, placement, and size), with two sets of three adjoining four-light wood casement windows with wood trim, with final approval of the windows by staff;
5) all windows, exterior materials, chimney measurements, and dimensions to match specifications of elevation drawings dated 7/13/2020.

Site Info

Two story frame residence with weatherboard wall covering. Jerkin head gable roof with asphalt shingle covering. Double hung two over two and four light
casement windows. One story three-quarter front porch with paired wood posts on brick piers and enclosed balustrade. Interior offset brick chimneys. Brick foundation. Irregular plan. Sidelights and transom at front entry.

1. 1017 Thompson Place is a contributing resource to the ONK National Register Historic District and the local historic overlay.

2. The house was significantly damaged by a fire in January 2020. The fire resulted in the roof's collapse; the removal of significant second of second-story framing, siding, and windows; and the partial collapse of a chimney. The fire insurance company recommended that both chimneys be fully removed due to their deterioration, to avoid further collapse as contractors began working on-site. The work proposed involves restoration of these items that were damaged/removed by fire.

3. The jerkinhead roofline is a character-defining feature of the house, unique to the property and noted in the NRHP nomination. Reconstruction of the roof to match the original roofline, with cladding materials, eave overhangs, and wood soffit and fascia details to match the existing house, is appropriate.

4. Guidelines recommend repairing or replacing roof details, including chimneys and attic vents. The two brick masonry chimneys were unique features, evenly spaced with one on each roof slope and featuring a simple corbelling detail at the top. Both chimneys and the three adjoining rectangular wood louvered vents should be restored in-kind.

5. The proposed scope of work involves removing the façade second-story door that is centrally located between the two sets of windows. The second-story door is likely a non-historic alteration, installed when the house became apartments. It leads to the first-story porch roof, which does not have a railing (required by building code), and no historic evidence has been presented that a railing was ever present. Removal of the second-story door and replacement with a window is appropriate, if the proposed window compliments the house's overall design, including trim details, materials, and muntin pattern.

6. The three adjoining rectangular wood louvered vents above the windows should be restored to the façade.

7. The applicant has provided several potential window specifications and stated an intent to restore the windows to what was previously there. Façade windows were three adjoining four-light wood casement windows, surrounded by wood trim, and should be replaced in-kind. Additional information should be submitted regarding the windows proposed for the rear elevation.

8. Replacement of the missing sections of wood clapboard siding should reflect the exposure, overlap, and dimensions of the rest of the house.