Historic Zoning Commission

Ft. Sanders NC-1: Level II

7-C-18-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Construction of additions

Construct 2-story frame addition on the south side. The addition will feature a covered entrance on the south side. The addition will have a painted brick base to match the color of the existing brick with with vinyl trim and accents of vinyl shakes. The roofing material will be asphalt shingles.The returned cornices on the gable ends of the new addition and the rectangular attic vents will match those on the existing building. The existing entry at the north elevation will be retained but not utilized. All windows will be 3/1 vinyl windows to match the existing style.

Site Info

Two-story frame with brick veneer. Front-facing gable roof with asphalt shingle covering. Three-over-one double-hung windows. Side entrance under second-story enclosed porch.Transom and sidelights at front entry. Brick foundation. Brick buttresses at front steps. Rectangular plan. (Contributing)

1) The building is a contributing resource within the Fort Sanders NC-1 Overlay and the National Register districts.

2) The addition will be on the rear (south side) of the building; however, the main structure is located on a corner lot. Therefore, the addition will be visible from Laurel Avenue.

3) The addition is proposed on the elevation (rear or south side ) that is the least character-defining, therefore, this side is the most appropriate side on which to add the addition. However, two sets of original window openings will be lost, with the new rear door opening eliminating an orignal opening for a set of twin windows. The new door could be moved east in order to retain this original window opening instead of infilling it with brick. The existing rear door opening on this elevation is not original.

4) The wall of the new connecting structure is proposed to be continuous (or to align) with the east wall of the existing building; however, the design guidelines recommend an offset so that the addition is more distinct from the original building.

5) Two-story additions are more impactful than one-story additions to historic structures, therefore, the scale of the wall elevations should be broken down by providing detail and architecutural features. In this case, windows would be an appropriate feature to accomplish this. Blank walls are not appropriate or typical in the NC-1overlay.

6) The gabled roof, at a pitch to match the existing roof, and with returned cornices, is a compatible roof form.

7) The proposal to remove all but two of the original openings on the east side will harm the historic character of the building. This side is highly visible when travelling west on Forest. The door opening and the angle-braced overhang on the east side also appear to be original.