Historic Zoning Commission

Old North Knoxville H-1: Level III

9-L-13-HZ

Applicant Request

Level III. New construction of primary building(s) or deviation from guidelines

There is a matching grants program administered by the City Parks and Recreation department which has provided ONK with funds to install a gazebo at the playground located at 416 E. Oklahoma Avenue. The gazebo is described as follows:
Pagoda roof style; 16 ft wide octagon; all materials will be treated lumber painted off-white; turned posts; scalloped cornice board; asphalt shingles; railing with integrated bench on three sides and square balusters; decorative cut roof brackets.
Neighbors may organize future maintenance on the park equipment and gazebo structure but the City of Knoxville will maintain it for the life of the structure. The City of Knoxville will also provide decorative mulch for the surrounding site.

Site Info

Modern-day play equipment currently installed.

STAFF'S PROPOSED FINDINGS
1) A gazebo is a pavilion structure, sometimes octagonal or turret-shaped, often built in a park, garden or spacious public area. are freestanding or attached to a garden wall, roofed, and open on all sides; they provide shade, shelter, ornamental features in a landscape, and a place to rest. Some gazebos in public parks are large enough to serve as bandstands or rain shelters. (Wikopedia/Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia)

2) Gazebos did not gain popularity in America until the mid-1800s, with the prosperity of the new middle class. Although gazebos fell slightly out of favor again around the turn of the century, as houses were being built with grand porches, they made a return around 1930. Apparently, there was no denying the advantage of having a quiet place to retreat to from the household chaos. Gazebos were also status symbols. http://www.gazebocreations.com/cs_InfoPages.aspx?CategoryID=677 (History of Gazebos)

3) The Old North Knox Historic District National Register nomination states that the district's period of significance is from 1880 - 1940.

4) The proposed gazebo is of appropriate materials (wood and asphalt shingles). The Victorian-era design is also appropriate since it is included in the neighborhood's period of significance.

5) The gazebo is proposed to be situated on public park land, substantially set back from the street, which is an appropriate siting for this type of structure. No trees will be removed in order to situate the structure.

OLD NORTH KNOX DESIGN GUIDELINES: AUXILLARY OR OUTBUILDINGS
4. Materials used in constructing outbuildings or accessory buildings may only use materials and design characteristics selected from the following list: wood . . .asphalt shingles, overhanging eaves . . .