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Preservation planner Cassie Kline presents streamlined historic guidelines to Chattanooga City Council
Summary
Cassie Kline presented consolidated historic-preservation guidelines that shrink five documents into one, add a quick-reference matrix and expand staff-level review for small outbuildings and accessibility features to speed approvals and lower costs for homeowners.
Cassie Kline, the city’s preservation planner, told the Chattanooga City Council on March 31 that a two-year project has consolidated five separate historic-guidelines documents into a single, more navigable guide intended to speed reviews and reduce costs for property owners. "This project has been going on for approximately 2 years, and here we are in the final stretch," Kline said.
Kline said the update retains core preservation best practices while cutting unnecessary regulation: the city kept demolition guidelines and recommendations to repair historic windows in kind, but removed most painting regulations except for requirements on unpainted masonry. The new document also consolidates maintenance guidance, adds an architectural-styles chapter that explicitly includes mid-century modern properties, and reduces the overall page count from more than 350 pages to under 200.
A notable procedural change in the draft would allow staff review — rather than full Historic Zoning Commission review — for some low-impact work. Kline said small outbuildings and additions up to 120 square feet that meet guideline criteria, parking areas adding one residential space and accessibility features that do not permanently damage a historic structure can be handled at staff level. "All of these updates will make our process more affordable and quicker for our citizens within our historic districts," she said.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions. Councilman Elliott asked how the guidelines interact with existing Euclidean zoning and whether existing homes would be grandfathered; Kline said underlying zoning remains in force and that the guidelines replace the previous neighborhood-specific documents but do not create a separate "legal non-conformity" clause — the certificate-of-appropriateness review is triggered by major changes, not routine repairs. Councilman Harvey pressed on the council’s authority to initiate landmark designations; staff explained that Chapter 10 of the municipal code allows applications by City Council resolution, property owners, neighborhood associations or civic groups and that the Historic Zoning Commission serves as the recommending body before Council action.
Councilwoman Dotley and other members praised a new matrix and a one- to two-page "criteria quick guide" at the start of chapters designed to help residents determine whether a project requires commission review. Kline said the Historic Zoning Commission reviewed the final draft through several meetings and voted to approve the version now before council, which staff will bring back on a future agenda for Council consideration.
The presentation included references to local resources such as Preserve Chattanooga and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Council did not vote on the guidelines at the March 31 session; staff indicated a formal Council agenda item will follow.
