Historic Zoning Commission

Old North Knoxville H-1: Level II

9-D-10-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Replacement/repair

Repair front and rear porches. Alter dormers to move front (window) out to edge of flat space now appearing in front of windows, which is creating a drainage issue with the house, residing them with wood shingles; alter front portico to elevate roof so that it is even with the fascia; repoint brick as necessary, using provisions of Preservation Brief No. 2; install gutters and downspouts; reroof, using asphalt shingles; repair wall shingles as necessary in kind.

COMMISSION DECISION (HZC meeting of 9/16/2010): Repair front and rear porches; repoint brick as necessary, using provisions of Preservation Brief No. 2; install half-round gutters and downspouts as provided in design guidelines; reroof, using asphalt shingles; repair wall shingles as necessary in kind.

Request to redesign front portico is DENIED; repair should be made based on current design and height.
Request to move front wall of dormers to intersect existing roof plane is DENIED; suggestion from Commission that dormer be rebuilt to raise elevation of window so that sill is not sitting directly on shelf, with some reconstruction to allow a roof slope away from dormer and toward point of intersection of at least 1/2 inch per 12 inches, and utilization of flashing and rubber membrane to complete application.

Site Info

One and one-half story frame on raised basement with wood shingle wall covering. Side gable roof with shed dormers, asphalt shingle roof covering and extended eave on south elevation. Double hung six over one windows. One story one bay centered fable front portico with arched ceiling, small square wood columns and sawn wood balustrade. One interior end and one interior offset brick chimney. Brick foundation. Irregular plan.

It is likely that the dormers have been altered in the past. They seem truncated, and the remaining flat space in front of them provides a repository for rainwater which is in turn harming the structure. Moving the window to the front of that existing flat space and lengthening the side walls would make the shape and depth of the dormers consistent with other dormer installations throughout the neighborhood (see the included photograph of the dormers on the house across the street). The remaining work items are also consistent with the adopted design guidelines, with the exception of the alteration of the front portico. It is likely that the current height of the front portico is consistent with the original construction. Although it was common in this style house to have a dormer roof that was engaged in the fascia, it was also common to have the configuration that presently appears on the house.