Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission approves three exterior-rehabilitation certificates in Old North Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission on Thursday approved three staff-recommended exterior rehabilitation certificates for properties in Old North Knoxville, including work on window openings, door replacements and masonry repairs.

Staff member Melinda summarized the projects and recommended approval for all three certificates, saying the work "meets the design guidelines" and noting conditions such as matching mortar composition for repointing and review of final door and trim selections.

The first project, for 1116 (transcript alternately spells the street name 'Butchell' and 'Lutchell') Street, includes repairing six original basement-level windows, installing wooden storm windows, creating new in-kind window openings on a secondary elevation and replacing a non-original rear flatwood door with a half-light, multi-paneled wood door. Melinda recommended approval of certificate 8g-25-HC with the condition that masonry repairs use mortar matching the existing composition and that final storm window and door selections be sent to staff for approval. Applicant Hope Tippett of Open Door Architecture described the work as converting the daylighting basement for the Presser family "to give them more bedrooms and a new bathroom" and to add light to the new spaces. Commissioners moved to approve the certificate with staff conditions and the motion passed by voice vote.

The second approved project, at 1428 Fremont Place, involved previously administratively approved work (deck, screen door, enclosing a basement screen) and a proposed removal of an original casement and adjacent masonry to install a 12-light wood French double door with transom, plus replacement of a secondary rear entrance with in-kind wood lap siding. Melinda recommended approval of certificate 8c-25-HC so long as the final door selection is sent to staff for review. Neighborhood representative Sean Bollin of 115 East Scott Avenue told the commission the neighborhood "agrees with staff recommendation" and supported the application but said the deck and stairs added to the house "should have come before the commission" because they are highly visible.

The third project, at 121 East Scott Avenue, calls for removing one secondary rear entrance and installing an in-kind 1-over-1 double-hung wood window and matching wood lap siding; staff recommended approval of certificate 8e-25-HC provided the window trim is installed as depicted in the elevation drawings. Neighbor Sean Bowen said the property is adjacent to his and that he "can't see any of it" from his backyard, and that the neighborhood fully supports the application. Commissioners voted to approve the certificate by voice vote.

All three approvals were recorded as voice votes during the meeting; no roll-call vote tallies for individual commissioners were entered in the transcript. The presiding officer noted that appeals of commission decisions may be filed within 60 days of the meeting (the transcript did not specify the appeal venue). The meeting adjourned after the three applications were approved.

Votes at a glance

- 1116 (Butchell/Lutchell) Street — Certificate 8g-25-HC: approved (motion to approve with staff conditions; voice vote). - 1428 Fremont Place — Certificate 8c-25-HC: approved (motion to approve with staff conditions; voice vote). - 121 East Scott Avenue — Certificate 8e-25-HC: approved (motion to approve with staff conditions; voice vote).

What’s next

Each approval includes conditions that require the applicants to submit final product selections (doors, storm windows, window trim, and mortar composition) to staff for review. The commission did not record any formal roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript; neighbors may file appeals within 60 days according to the meeting announcement.