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Historic Zoning Commission approves lanterns, greenlights vinyl shutters for duplex at 209–211 North University Street
Summary
The Murfreesboro Historic Zoning Commission approved replacing front-door floodlights with decorative lanterns and approved vinyl shutters for the duplex at 209 and 211 North University Street; staff noted a rear storage building size correction and said it did not require a building permit.
The Murfreesboro Historic Zoning Commission on March 25 approved replacing front-door floodlights with decorative lanterns and approved the addition of vinyl shutters on the front elevation of the duplex at 209 and 211 North University Street.
The duplex, located one lot north of the corner of East College and North University and listed in tax records as a Colonial Revival built circa 1950, is zoned RS-8 single-family residential and lies within the historic zoning overlay and the City Core Overlay District. Fletcher Holland, the contractor representing property owners Ralph and Barbara Forsyth Harmon, presented the applications. Holland introduced himself by name and described the work as replacement of the existing front-door floodlights with lantern-style fixtures and adding vinyl shutters on the front elevation to match the neighboring house. He also said the owners initially submitted for a small rear storage building; Holland later corrected the recorded dimensions to 9 by 12 and staff advised that, as described in the meeting, the structure did not require a building permit.
Commissioners unanimously approved the lantern fixtures. The vinyl shutters, which are non-operable decorative shutters of vinyl material, drew more debate. Commissioners discussed appearance, historic precedent and materials; some members questioned whether nonfunctional vinyl shutters fit the historic character, while others noted a matching treatment exists on the adjacent property and said the change improves the façade. The commission approved the shutters by a 4–2 vote.
Staff materials on the item noted the duplex is a legally nonconforming structure and that the owners previously received administrative approval for maintenance work (repair/replace soffits and trim in-kind, repair and paint windows, replace gutters and vents with like materials, clean brick and mortar, and paint trim to match the existing “BM Cloud Cover” color noted in the staff report). Holland said the proposed fixtures and shutters would be similar in scale to neighboring elements; staff also advised the accessory structure in the rear has minimal visibility from the public right of way.
The commission’s approvals were limited to the exterior features shown in the submitted plans; commissioners asked that chosen light fixtures avoid enclosed glass bottoms (to reduce insect buildup) and that paint and finish details follow staff guidance. No additional changes to the building envelope or to the duplex’s nonconforming status were approved at the meeting.
Votes at a glance for this item: lantern fixtures — approved (roll call: Backlund yes; Jakes yes; Panissi yes; Thompson yes; Vice Chair Deborah Belcher yes; Chair Davis yes). Vinyl shutters — approved 4–2 (roll call: Backlund no; Jakes yes; Panissi yes; Thompson no; Vice Chair Deborah Belcher yes; Chair Davis yes).
