Historic Zoning Commission disapproves side addition at 106 Rosebank Avenue

The Metro Nashville Historic Zoning Commission voted to disapprove a proposed side addition to the non‑contributing house at 106 Rosebank Avenue, citing staff findings that the project’s massing and proximity to an existing outbuilding do not meet the commission’s design guidelines.

Staff told the commission the proposal would widen the building from about 36 feet to approximately 50 feet, extend a one‑and‑a‑half‑story form across the full width with a dormer and place the addition’s ridge approximately six inches below the existing ridge. Staff concluded that extending the one‑and‑a‑half‑story massing across the full width would be atypical for the block’s historic context and that the addition would reduce the separation between the primary structure and an outbuilding to roughly 4 feet 6 inches — below the example context the guidelines consider appropriate. Staff recommended disapproval on the grounds of massing, scale and the distance between the primary structure and outbuilding.

Applicant Johnny Waggaman told the commission the lot is unusual — roughly 73 feet by 86 feet — and said the addition responds to a constrained floor plan; he also said a survey error might show the separation as 6 feet, which he believes meets minimum fire code. Commissioners questioned whether a rear addition or a single‑story side addition would better fit the context; one commissioner advised the applicant to consider a rear addition given common approvals for rear additions on the block. The public hearing was opened and closed with no outside speakers on this application.

A commissioner moved to disapprove citing staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and approved by the commission.