Staff recommends approval with the following conditions: 1) porch balustrade, handrails, and steps to meet City codes, 2) either a wood double-hung sash window or a wood casement window to be installed on right side of addition, 3) if current or future owners propose to enclose the rear flat-roof porch in the future, the project would be re-evaluated by HZC.
Applicant is proposing a rectangular rear addition, measuring approximately 25'-4" wide by 5' deep (5'-6" deep on the right side), offset from the house's right side by 1', with a flat-roof porch projecting from the rear addition. Existing rear wood deck will be removed.
The addition's roofline will extend from the existing one-story hipped massing on the left side, which currently includes an enclosed pantry and a recessed rear entry stoop. The existing hipped roof, currently truncated abruptly in the middle of the rear elevation, will extend across the elevation and intersect the existing rear gable, replicating the roof's existing hip, eaves, and materials. The addition's roof slope is 5/12.
Addition to rest on continuous brick foundation to match the existing brick, and be clad in board-and-batten siding, to distinguish the addition from the original house, which is currently clad in vinyl siding. One rectangular, single-light, wood casement window to be installed on rear elevation of addition. Access to the porch will be provided by multi-light double doors.
Proposed porch will be L-shaped and project from the rear addition, with the flat-roof covered section measuring 13'-6" wide by 14' long. An uncovered deck will extend 12'-9" to the right, with an ending aligning with the addition, and will be 7'-0" deep. Porch foundation will be brick piers, with square wood posts supporting a flat, black rubber roof. Porch roof will be 8'-6" above the porch floor. Porch to be located approximately 11'-1" from left side of property line, and 2'-3" from the right. Porch balustrade, handrails, and steps to meet codes.
One-story frame residence with a hipped roof with lower cross gables, clad in asphalt shingles. Exterior is clad in vinyl siding and façade rests on a continuous, raised brick foundation. One-story, shed-roof porch extends across the right half of the façade, supported by turned wood columns. Windows are one-over-one, double-hung sash. Interior offset brick chimney. Irregular plan.
1. The house is a contributing resource to the Fourth and Gill H-1 Overlay and the National Register Historic District.
2. The addition and rear porch will be somewhat visible from the public right-of-way, since an alley runs adjacent to the east side of the house. It will be visible from points in the alley itself.
3. The proposed addition adds 125 square feet to the existing house. The size, scale, and massing of the addition are proportionate to the historic house.
4. The rear elevation is not a character-defining elevation of the house, so the location of the addition is appropriate. The existing wood deck was installed in late 2018 and does not contribute to the house's integrity.
5. The proposed addition does not obscure or damage any significant character-defining features of the house.
6. The current hipped roof sags due to an unsupported cantilever; continuing the roofline with enclosed space below will better support the roof. Moreover, the rear dormer currently appears disproportionate to the rest of the house, and would be complimented by an extension of the hipped roofline. Interior space and wall framing will provide structural support for the second-story dormer.
7. The proposed board-and-batten siding differentiates the addition from the original and is compatible with the existing house. Should the house's current vinyl siding be replaced with wood clapboard siding in the future, the newer construction would remain differentiated from the old, yet compatible.
8. The right side of the proposed addition features a solid wall. Installation of a small double-hung sash window or a second rectangular wood casement window would better compliment the relationship of solids to voids on the historic structure.
9. There is some precedent for small, flat-roof porches in the neighborhood. The proposed porch is sufficiently transparent so as to not visually detract from the integrity of the rear streetscape, and the small porch could be easily removed without damage to historic fabric in the future. Simple wood post porch supports and a vertical picket railing are compatible with the Queen Anne cottage style.
Home | contact@knoxplanning.org | (865) 215-2500
Knoxville-Knox County Planning
City-County Building | Suite 403 | 400 Main Street | Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
