The Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission on Jan. 16, 2025, voted to deny a request to remove the deteriorated northwest chimney at 243 Detrick Avenue and recommended repair or reconstruction with details to be approved by staff.

Staff presented photos and background, noting the commission’s guidelines discourage the removal of original masonry features. Lindsey, the staff presenter, told commissioners that "the guidelines discourage the removal of original masonry features" and that in the Mechanicsville area the commission had denied three prior chimney-demolition proposals; staff recommended denial of the chimney’s removal and recommended repair and/or reconstruction with details approved by staff.

The property owner/applicant (identified in the transcript as Bridal Hill) described water intrusion and structural deterioration around the chimneys, including repeated leaks in the residence and a chimney in such poor condition that workers could not install a cap. The applicant argued rebuilding was cost-prohibitive after an earlier full roof replacement and raised public-safety concerns because the chimney abuts a walking path to an elementary school. The applicant said: "We noticed during several rains when it started raining in our bedroom... there were significant leaks... there are bricks just sitting on bricks and, beyond the fact that there is significant water incursion concerns... this chimney is also right adjacent to a walking path, to the an elementary school that's just right across the street."

Commissioners acknowledged the safety concern and suggested the applicant obtain masonry restoration estimates and documentation of the chimney’s historic characteristics in case reconstruction is possible in the future. One commissioner recommended working with masons experienced in historic brickwork and noted that repointing was unlikely to be sufficient given the condition; staff and commissioners said they could provide contacts for qualified masons.

A motion reflecting the staff recommendation — to deny removal and require repair or reconstruction with staff-approved details — was made and seconded. The commission took a voice vote; the chair called for those in favor, "Aye," and then for opposed members; no opposition was recorded. The chair announced the motion passes. Staff will require documentation of the chimney’s dimensions and characteristics if removal proceeds and will review masonry repair or reconstruction proposals.

The staff report noted the commission had previously approved replacing a slate roof with dimensional asphalt shingles on this house in November 2024 and that economic hardship considerations are typically not dispositive in the commission’s decisions except in certain roof-slate precedents. The homeowner said a portion of the house vents through one chimney that had to remain open when the roof was replaced; the deteriorated northwest chimney could not be safely capped, according to the applicant. Commissioners said they were uncomfortable leaving a failing chimney in place without repair because of the potential hazard near a school path, but they nonetheless voted to deny removal absent more documentation and staff-approved repair/reconstruction plans.