Partner Spotlight
Open Door Architecture
Sara and Sean Martin, the husband and wife team behind Open Door Architecture, have been supporters of Knox Heritage for over two decades. As architects specializing in renovating historic homes, residents of the Fourth & Gill neighborhood, former members of Knox Heritage’s board of directors, and Business Members, they generously share their expertise on historic zoning for this month’s Partner Spotlight!
HISTORIC ZONING IN THE FOURTH & GILL HISTORIC DISTRICT: AN OVERVIEW
Contributed by Sean Martin
In 1999, an Historic Zoning Overlay was approved for Fourth & Gill by the City of Knoxville. The primary purpose was to make it much harder to demolish historic buildings, since many had been lost in the previous decades. Another goal was to prevent the loss of the exterior architectural features that make our homes unique and special. It proved useful almost immediately when it helped prevent many homes along Eleanor Street from being demolished as part of TDOT’s SmartFix40, which was a rebuilding of Interstate 40 through downtown that was designed in 2000 and was built in 2008-2009.
Most buildings in the Fourth & Gill neighborhood are protected by the overlay, which requires that any exterior repairs or changes must be compatible with the Fourth & Gill Historic Neighborhood Design Guidelines.
WHAT’S THE PROCESS?
First, determine if your house is covered by an overlay. You can check www.kgis.org/KGISMaps/ (click on the MAP tab, and then click on “zoning”). You can also contact the helpful staff person at Knoxville Planning who manages the Historic Zoning process: Lindsay Crockett (865-215-3795). Then, she will walk you through the application and approval process and help determine if your project is a Level 1,2,3, or 4. Next, applications are reviewed by the Historic Zoning Commission (HZC) at their monthly meeting which is typically on the third Thursday of each month. Finally, if approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is issued, and you can proceed with getting your building permit.
WHAT’S COVERED?
The guidelines and the overlay only cover the exterior of your home; no changes to the interior spaces require approval by the Historic Zoning folks.
Level 1 changes can be approved by the staff person (Lindsay), rather than the full Commission. These are typically small items like routine repairs (example: replacing a rotten fascia board with a new board in the same material), or items that do not remove or alter any historic character (example: installing storm windows and storm doors).
Level 2 changes require approval by the HZC. This includes additions to homes and new outbuildings, as well as more major repairs & replacement (example: replacing a rotted porch column, replacing a window, or removing & replacing a large area of siding). If you want to paint brick that has not previously been painted, this will also be a level 2 application.
Level 3 is the construction of a new house or building and it requires approval by the HZC.
Level 4 is the relocation or demolition of a primary structure that is considered to be “contributing” to the historic district. This requires approval by the HZC. (Lindsay will determine what is “contributing” and what isn’t).
MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS!
Over the years I’ve heard lots of confusion and misconceptions about what is covered by the historic guidelines, so I will try to put those to rest now. Paint colors do not need to be approved; you can paint your house bright pink with green polka dots if you wish! Landscaping is also not covered; whether you choose native or non-native plants is between you and Mother Nature. Flags? Also not covered; let that American flag / Pride flag / Vols flag / Packers flag, etc. flap in the warm East Tennessee breeze! Porch furniture? Go as tacky or tasteful as you want… historic zoning doesn’t care! Trout-shaped mailbox? If it’s okay with the Post Office, it’s okay with the historic folks.
Special thanks to Sean and Sara Martin at Open Door Architecture for their support of historic preservation and Knox Heritage!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Historic Overlay Zoning? Historic Overlay Zoning recognizes historic and architectural significance, and by overseeing proposed improvements to building exteriors, tries to assure that the historic structures will not be altered without preserving the exterior appearance of the buildings.
Who approves Historic Overlay Zoning designations? The Knoxville and Knox County Historic Zoning Commission approve the designation of historic overlay properties and recommend designation of those properties to Knoxville-Knox County Planning and either the Knoxville City Council or the Knox County Commission.
What happens if a Historic Overlay Zoning designation is approved? If designation is approved, building permits for exterior changes must be reviewed and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness before the building permits can be issued.
The review of exterior work is based on design guidelines adopted for each historic neighborhood, or by using the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Properties. The Commission also reviews applications for building permits for new construction or demolition within designated historic zones. The Knoxville and Knox County Historic Zoning Commissions are made up of individuals appointed to a five-year volunteer term by the City Mayor or County Mayor and approved by the legislative bodies of each.
For more information, visit the Knoxville-Knox County Planning website at https://knoxplanning.org/historic.