The Knox County Historic Zoning Commission granted preliminary approval on Jan. 15 to a plan to relocate the Moses Armstrong House (case 1E26HC) approximately 500 feet to a rear corner of the property adjacent to the Holston River, but set multiple conditions and required the applicant to return with more detailed documentation within 120 days.

Planning staff described the application as demolition of nonhistoric additions, removal of a nonhistoric garage, relocation of the primary 1805-era core to a new foundation, and a reduced historic zoning overlay of roughly 1.3 acres surrounding the house. Staff emphasized that formal legislative rezoning to reduce the overlay should not be finalized before the house is actually relocated, because rezoning in advance could remove local protections. Staff also noted a December 2025 letter from the Tennessee Historical Commission stating the property is currently eligible for the National Register under Criterion C but that ambiguity about later additions complicates establishing a period of significance.

Staff recommended preliminary approval of the relocation and of the reduced overlay but listed conditions: a detailed moving plan that specifies how additions will be removed and materials secured, a contractor plan to address adjacent power lines and grading, documentation on how the house will be separated from and supported off its significant limestone foundation, structural evaluation by a contractor or structural engineer, full architectural elevations and floor plans prior to relocation, and a landscaping/site plan to be reviewed after relocation. Staff also warned that moving the house could affect National Register eligibility and that federal preservation guidance recommends moving be a last resort.

Applicant Ben Mullins, representing the applicant, told the commission the relocation on the same property preserves much of the house's context and said the buyer and the seller at closing will each contribute $50,000 (total $100,000) to a nonprofit that would receive and steward the 1.3-acre parcel. Mullins said he and local stakeholders will provide the additional information staff requested and that moving on the same property—rather than to an off-site location—better preserves historic associations.

Commissioners questioned the schedule and the volume of missing details. One commissioner proposed a 90-day deadline for the applicant to return with documentation; Mullins said he could not commit to 90 days and staff and the applicant asked that the commission set 120 days to allow time for engineering, contractor quotes and nonprofit organization steps. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve staff recommendations and require resubmission of all application materials to staff and the commission within 120 days; the motion was seconded and the chair declared the motion passed.

The approval is preliminary and conditional: staff must receive the moving plan, structural/foundation evaluations, architectural elevations and floor plans, and related site plans before any relocation occurs. Staff also reiterated that final legislative approval of a reduced historic zoning overlay should not be issued until after the structure has been relocated.