Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission approves revised three-unit townhouses for Leonard Place

Knoxville’s Historic Zoning Commission on April 17 approved a revised design for a new two‑story, three‑unit townhouse at 0 Leonard Place, voting to accept staff recommendations and conditions.

Staff member Lindsay told the commission the revised proposal is a two‑story townhouse development about 63 feet 7 inches wide with each unit roughly 21 feet wide and 37 feet deep, set about 20 feet from the front property line with parking accessed from the alley. Lindsay said the design includes three front gable masses with a 10‑over‑12 roof pitch, 9‑foot‑deep covered front porches supported by tapered wood columns on brick piers, fiber‑smooth finish fiber cement lap siding, aluminum‑clad wood 1‑over‑1 windows, and a raised brick foundation. "Staff's recommending approval of 12 D, 24 HC subject to the conditions that the site plan and elevations meet relevant standards of the zoning code and city engineering standards," Lindsay said.

Applicant Quinn Apperley, who gave his address as 552 South David Lane, said the plans reflect "our latest revisions after meeting at a couple of neighborhood meetings," and acknowledged architect Oren Yarbrough’s help in refining the design. Architect Oren Yarbrough of Design Innovation Architects said the concept was developed with neighborhood input and that some asymmetry (including a small square stair landing window) and varied porch and gable treatments were intentional to avoid a cookie‑cutter appearance.

Commissioners asked technical questions about drainage and downspout locations and about materials for a decorative band separating floors; the applicant and architect said downspouts would most likely be placed near offsets and porch areas and that the band would be a smooth, flat panel. On stormwater, one commissioner recommended not relying solely on splash blocks given the amount of impervious roof area expected. Lindsay clarified that middle housing standards "supersede the impervious surface limits" in base zoning but that city engineering will still review the final site plan and may recommend changes.

A commissioner moved to approve based on staff recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission recorded the motion as passed. The Commission’s approval is subject to the applicant submitting final specifications for siding, windows, doors and porch flooring to staff for approval and meeting applicable zoning and engineering standards. Parties have 60 days from the date of the decision to appeal.