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Historic zoning commission denies after‑the‑fact alterations at 1520 Fremont Place, orders reapplication
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Summary
The commission denied the vinyl window, siding and enclosed‑window work at 1520 Fremont Place and required the owners to reapply with revised materials that meet Old North Knoxville design guidelines; staff will allow after‑the‑fact acceptance for the removed chimney and new deck, the commission clarified.
The Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission voted April 16 to deny with prejudice recent exterior alterations at 1520 Fremont Place, finding the installed vinyl windows, enclosed window opening and siding incompatible with Old North Knoxville design standards and requiring the property owners to submit a new, compliant application.
The commission’s staff report said inspectors documented that the applicants removed original wood windows and replaced them with vinyl windows that have simulated grids and different pane divisions, enclosed a second‑floor window, installed flat trim of an unknown material and replaced textured asbestos‑look shingles with smooth fiber‑cement siding. Staff recommended denial with prejudice of the installed windows, the enclosed window and the siding, denial of the proposed door, and after‑the‑fact approval of the chimney removal and new deck.
Applicants Charity Honeycutt and Amanda Furlough told the commission they were renovating the house and cited structural deterioration, termite damage and the high cost of repairing original wood windows. Honeycutt said the choice was driven by affordability and habitability concerns after the house suffered water intrusion and squatting; Furlough confirmed the property address as part of the public record. Neighborhood representative Sean Bolen said the neighborhood had repeatedly offered help interpreting guidelines and supported staff’s recommendations that the owners replace the windows and follow the district’s standards. Permitting staff outlined three complaints and site visits between March 11 and March 26 that led to a Notice of Violation and explained that a citation had not yet been issued but could follow unresolved violations.
Commissioners pressed applicants on what documentation supported the claim of rot and termite damage and noted the application packet lacked drawings and repair evidence. Commissioners emphasized the design guidelines require replacement windows to match original pane division, muntin depth and profile, and that flat trim and simulated divided‑light glazing do not meet those rules. The motion that passed directed denial of the noncompliant window and siding work and required the applicants to reapply with window specifications, revised trim details and siding materials that better reflect the historic character; commissioners also approved, per staff recommendation, after‑the‑fact acceptance of the chimney removal and the new deck.
The commission’s ruling does not itself impose a municipal court citation; permitting staff explained that citations and fines (up to $50 per day) are issued after repeated unresolved violations. The applicants were advised they may revise plans, provide supporting documentation of deterioration, and resubmit to staff and the commission. The commission said staff would provide guidance on acceptable window alternatives and trim details to help the owners prepare a compliant application.
Next steps: the applicants must submit drawings and detailed specifications for staff review and a new COA application; enforcement actions remain possible if work continues without permits or a COA.
