Board postpones decision on two-story duplex at 3112 Rector Street for applicant revisions

The City of Knoxville Design Review Board postponed a decision on a proposed two-story duplex at 3112 Rector Street during its June 18 meeting to allow the applicant time to respond to board comments and to return with revised drawings.

Staff described the project as a two-story duplex featuring a 6:12 side-gable roof, vinyl lap siding with brick veneer and shake/board-and-batten accents, a stucco-clad foundation and a pair of 17-foot-wide units on a 50-foot depth lot. Staff recommended approval subject to revisions: the front setback should align with the block face pattern; final site plan must meet engineering standards; and a native or naturalized shade tree should be added in front and rear yards. Staff also noted the block is characterized by one-story houses and recommended the board discuss height and depth.

Board members expressed concern about how the duplex would interact with the street: multiple members said the building’s vertical emphasis and limited porch depth make it feel more urban than the surrounding single-story craftsman context. Suggestions included changing to a single front gable or hip roof to reduce vertical emphasis, enlarging front porches to better engage the street, and providing additional roofline variation on side elevations. Several members recommended the applicant return with a design that helps the duplex “look like one house” rather than two townhome faces, to preserve the block rhythm.

Without the applicant present, the board moved to postpone the item to the July meeting so the design team can revise the elevations and site plan to address the board’s comments. The motion to postpone carried.