Historic zoning panel postpones decision on Mechanicsville duplex after debate over materials, setbacks

The Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission voted on Oct. 16 to postpone consideration of a proposed two‑story duplex at 1014 McGee Ave in the Mechanicsville overlay to give the applicant time to revise plans and address multiple staff conditions.

Staff presented the project as a 25‑foot wide, shotgun‑style duplex with front and rear porches, 12/12 pitch front gable roof and fiber‑cement lap siding proposed for the exterior. Staff recommended approval conditioned on nine items including revised site plans meeting middle‑housing standards, removal of a faux chimney projection, porch supports at least 8x8, additional architectural detailing approved by staff, and final wood or fiber‑cement siding details (staff: "fiber cement siding and trim does not meet the Mechanicsville design guidelines, but it can be appropriate with an official determination of support of the material from the neighborhood organization").

Property owner Jennifer Cooper told the commission she and her family have lived in the area and said she supports adding the architectural details staff requested. Neighborhood representative Carlin Harrod said Old Mechanicsville met and agreed that "4 to 5 inch veil smooth hardy board would be acceptable on new builds within the overlay on non contributing infill" and requested clarity on what reveal dimension would be enforced.

Commissioners discussed several technical items at length: whether proposed 4‑foot and 3‑foot side setbacks should be treated as variances or administrative adjustments; fire‑separation implications of a 3‑foot setback under the International Building Code; removal of the faux chimney and whether an alternative projecting feature would be required to meet middle‑housing design guidance; and the appropriate size and detailing of porch supports. One commissioner summarized the architectural concern: "I tend to agree with staff about the chimney not being appropriate but the need to break up the massing is still important." Another urged postponement to allow the applicant and architect time to develop alternatives.

Several commissioners and staff also debated precedent and legal risk in allowing fiber cement siding on new construction when the written support of the neighborhood organization exists. Staff said prior approvals in other overlays were granted after neighborhoods provided written backing and cautioned that such deviations could attract appeals to chancery court.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to postpone the case "pending the applicant's submission." The motion was amended to allow an indefinite postponement; the commission voted to postpone. The applicant may return with revised drawings, pursue a variance through the Board of Zoning Appeals, or submit alternate architectural details for staff and commission review.

The commission did not take a final vote on the certificate of appropriateness for 1014 McGee Ave at the Oct. 16 meeting.