Staff recommends approval of the work as proposed, with the following conditions: 1) the stair handrail be redesigned to include a newel post or safety terminal to meet codes, and 2) the applicant re-submit specifications for a door and sidelights more appropriate for the style of the house, for review and approval by staff.
- Remove all non-historic brick from the porch, revealing the historic brick underneath. Clean and repoint the historic brick as necessary. Unpainted historic masonry on the porch will provide contrast with the non-historic brick on the house.
- Remove existing concrete stair and replace with a wood staircase with one concrete step at the base. Wood stairs to feature decorative flat sawn cutouts on risers. Stair handrail to include a newel post or safety terminal to meet codes.
- Remove three square wood porch support columns (non-historic) and replace with 3-1/2" by 3-1/2" chamfered wood posts.
- Install flat sawn wood frieze. Replace non-historic wood balustrade with a flat sawn wood balustrade and double rails. Install flat sawn wood balustrade with wood handrail along steps. Balustrade and frieze to feature rounded openings in a "slightly morphing pattern."
- Existing wood ceiling boards and trim to be repaired and replaced where necessary. Existing trim adjoining the concealed porch beam to be removed for structural upgrades where existing beam and proposed new columns connect. The trim will be replaced and painted after structural work.
- Existing gutters and downspouts to be removed and replaced with new half-round, pre-finished gutters and round downspouts.
- Replace non-historic door with two-thirds-light wood door and sidelights. Overall form of door approved at May 2019 meeting but applicant has provided specifications.
One-story frame residence with brick veneer added c.1950. Hipped roof with clipped gables, imbricated shingles at gables, and a sawn wood bargeboard. One-over-one, double-hung, replacement windows. One-story front porch with a bellcast roof, replacement square wood columns, and square wood balustrade. Interior offset brick chimney. Sidelights at front entry.
1. The house is a contributing structure within the Fourth and Gill H-1 Overlay and the National Register Historic District.
2. The concrete steps exhibit sufficient deterioration to warrant replacement.
3. The brick veneer covering the porch foundation is not original, added in the mid-twentieth century, and does not appear to originate from East Tennessee. Applicant has documented the presence of intact original brick behind the non-historic brick on the porch foundation. Repair and preservation of the historic brick is appropriate.
4. The current porch elements, including the square wood columns and balustrade, are not historic details. They were installed by previous owners without the proper COA in 2017.
5. No photographic documentation is available to provide reference for reconstruction of the original porch or front door.
6. Flat sawn balustrades are visible in Fourth and Gill, including several on Luttrell Street. Frieze details on front porches are a common characteristic of high-style Queen Anne houses. The details proposed for 629 Luttrell do not attempt to replicate the details of original flat sawn balustrades and frieze, but instead employ a unique design so as to not create a false sense of history.
7. Repair of wood cladding and trim on side elevations of front porch gable is appropriate and preserves the few Queen Anne cottage characteristics visible on the house.
8. Per 2018 IRC (R311.7.8.4), handrails must end in a newel post or safety terminal.
9. The proposed Craftsman door and sidelights are not in keeping with the Queen Anne style of the house.
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