Historic Zoning Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes of the Historic Zoning Commission October 15, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: ABSENT: Jim Thompson Jennifer Garland Linda Anderson Rick Cantrell David Becker Debra Belcher Bill Jakes Gib Backlund Marimae White STAFF PRESENT: Matthew Blomeley, Interim Planning Director Amelia Kerr, Planner Brenda Davis, Recording Assistant Katie Driver, Staff Attorney Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Mr. Becker made a motion to approve the August 20, 2019 minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Anderson and carried unanimously in favor. Chairman Thompson introduced Mr. Matthew Blomeley, Interim Director of Planning to introduce the new Staff for the Historic Zoning Commission. Mr. Blomeley introduced himself by stating his job title is Assistant Planning Director. He said there is a vacancy for the Planning Director position, currently so his present, temporary title is Interim Planning Director. Mr. Blomeley introduced Ms. Amelia Kerr as one of the Planners on Staff and did all the work on this agenda and will be presenting the items today. Mr. Blomeley also introduced Ms. Katie Driver from our Legal Department is a Staff Attorney and has been with the City for several months. Mr. Ives was not able to attend the meeting today, so Ms. Driver will provide legal counsel in his absence. He made the Commission aware Staff is available if they need anything. Chairman Thompson welcomed both Ms. Kerr and Ms. Driver to the Historic Zoning Commission meeting. HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 New Business: H-19-012 – 2255 Middle Tennessee Boulevard, Fletcher Holland is requesting to remove a tree and demolish a carport / shed. Ms. Kerr reviewed the application and the Staff comments contained in the HZC agenda package. She also showed pictures of the structure and surrounding area. Neither the applicant or homeowners were present. Mr. Backlund asked if this is a contributing structure to the Historic District. He said it is either contributing or non-contributing and the application does not mention which it is. He suspects it is a non-contributing structure but would like to know. Mr. Becker said he didn’t think this was a contributing structure as it looks to be an add-on to the house. Ms. White said the structure does not match the style of the house which looks to be a Tudor- style house. The garage looks to have a shed added on to it. Chairman Thompson agreed the house is a Tudor-style house. He said it was very common that the garages did not match the style of the house. Mr. Becker asked Mr. Backlund if carports were included in the list of contributing and non- contributing structures. Mr. Backlund said all structures should have been inventoried when the District was created and that would have included sheds, garages, buildings, etc. He said the District was established in 1984. He added the date of construction, 50 years prior, determined a structure’s eligibility to be a conforming or non-conforming structure. Mr. Jakes said the home looks to be 1920’s or early 1930’s and feels the garage is a much later structure. Mr. Blomeley said according to the property assessor’s website, the house was built in 1932. Ms. White said the Guidelines for Demolition require the following: 1) the building has lost its architecture and historic integrity and 2) the building does not contribute to the Historic District. She said the first requirement has been met but we do not know if it is a contributing or non- contributing structure. Mr. Backlund agreed, he does not know if the structure is contributing or non-contributing. 2 HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 Mr. Becker asked if it would be appropriate to approve the request based on the fact that we determine it is a non-contributing factor. Chairman Thompson expressed concern that the lot coverage might exceed the amount allowed with the new garage, apartment, deck along with the pool and house. He was also concerned about losing the tree. Ms. White verified the HZC does not have any jurisdiction over trees. Chairman Thompson and Mr. Becker both agreed. Mr. Backlund said since they don’t know if the garage is a contributing or non-contributing structure and there are other questions, he feels the HZC should wait until the applicants are present to vote on this request. Chairman Thompson asked Ms. Driver if the HZC could vote to approve the request assuming the structure is a non-contributing structure. Ms. Driver said if the structure does not have any historical integrity or importance, which is an alternative to the contributing factor, that would be fine. Ms. Anderson hopes they can approve the motion with the stipulation Staff will find out if the garage is or is not a contributing structure. Ms. White asked if Ms. Driver was saying it could be either / or? Ms. Driver said yes, that is the way she interprets it. Mr. Becker verified if the garage was a non-contributing basis Ms. Driver would approve that. Ms. Driver said yes, on an alternative basis. Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Becker if he would like to restate his motion. Mr. Becker made a motion to approve the request to remove a tree and demolish a carport / shed as submitted based on finding out if the structure is contributing or non-contributing and have the Staff research that. Chairman Thompson verified the motion to approve it is assuming it is not a contributing structure. 3 HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 Mr. Becker said yes, at this point. He said that is the safe way adding the applicants can always come back. Chairman Thompson said if the structure is contributing, the motion would be void and the applicants would have to come back. Chairman Thompson asked for a second. Ms. White asked for clarification on the motion. Chairman Thompson verified Mr. Becker said to approve the motion to cut the tree down and remove the garage / carport assuming it is non-contributing. Mr. Backlund said another way of saying it is to approve the demolition if the structure is non- contributing and contrary to that the HZC would not approve it at this time if it is a contributing structure because they would need more information or talk with the owner. Ms. White asked if she could make a motion to approve as is. Mr. Becker said if there is not a 2nd on his motion, then Ms. White can make a motion. Ms. Anderson made a second on Mr. Becker’s motion. Ms. White thinks like Ms. Driver saying the Guidelines for Demolition can be either / or. She feels the HZC is delaying the applicant’s progress in an attempt to approve another property in our downtown historic district. She said by delaying, makes it so hard for people. Mr. Jakes agreed with Ms. White’s comments and understands this structure could be contributing based on age but based on the architectural details and what he sees, there is no real contribution to the overall historic feel of this property. He said it really should not be listed as a contributing structure. Mr. Backlund said our opinions don’t matter because it has already been determined by the survey that was done in 1984. He said if the surveyor said it was contributing, it is not something the HZC can alter by conversation. He said it is either contributing or non- contributing. Ms. White said if it is a contributing structure, it still qualifies for demolition under the Guidelines. Mr. Backlund said the HZC cannot tell from the photographs if the structure has been altered. 4 HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 Ms. White said the structure was altered 10-15 years ago. Mr. Becker withdrew his motion. Ms. Anderson withdrew her 2nd. Ms. White made a motion to approve the request to remove a tree and demolish a carport/shed at 2255 Middle Tennessee Boulevard. The motion was seconded by Mr. Becker and approved. The vote was 5 yes and 1 no. Mr. Backlund voted no. 19-H-013 – East College Street, Thomas Holden Jennings is requesting initial review for construction of a new residence on a vacant lot on East College Street. Ms. Kerr reviewed the application and the Staff comments contained in the HZC agenda package. The applicant was present to answer questions. Mr. Thomas Jennings at 121 Gayle Lane came to the podium. Chairman Thompson applauded Mr. Jennings for coming to the Historic Zoning Commission on a preliminary basis instead of spending a lot of money on design services to then be denied. He thanked Mr. Jennings for coming early to see what the HZC thinks about his plan. Chairman Thompson reminded everyone the HZC does not approve the interior of houses. He asked Mr. Jennings to explain the proposed house. Mr. Jennings said the zoning for this area (RS-8) has a 30% lot coverage, so they are proposing a 2-story maximum 3,000 square foot house. He said when he comes back to the HZC he will have the layout and square footage. Mr. Jennings pointed out the house across the street is also a 2-story house. Chairman Thompson asked Mr. Jennings to talk more about the houses in the area because there are Guidelines for a new structure build based on the heights and massing. Mr. Jennings said he does not have surveys of each of the properties but will have more information when he comes back to the HZC. He said right now they have come up with a four - square design which matches numerous properties in that general neighborhood. He is asking for a general approval of the design, front elevation they will come back with additional information. 5 HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 Ms. Kerr showed photos of surrounding houses in the area and explained the location of each in reference to Mr. Jennings lot. Mr. Becker asked if Mr. Jennings owns both empty lots that Ms. Kerr showed in the photos. Mr. Jennings said no, he only the property at 449 East College Street. Mr. Becker said when the two houses existed on these lots, they shared a driveway. He asked if a shared driveway would still exist. Mr. Jennings said he plans to build a slender house to allow room for a driveway on his property. Mr. Becker said the front columns Mr. Jennings is proposing look very similar to the columns on the house to the left. Ms. White said the proposed house is a nice-looking structure and is keeping with the rest of the houses in the area. Ms. Anderson asked what type of siding Mr. Jennings is planning for his house. Mr. Jennings said he has not gotten that far into the plans but thinks it will be wood or some type of composite material. Chairman Thompson said the HZC has previously approved hardi-plank. Mr. Backlund referred to the drawing in the agenda package and it indicates hardi-lapsiding, 4- inch reveal. Chairman Thompson said a 4-inch reveal is too small for that period, it needs to be taller. He asked Mr. Jennings to ask his designer to look at the siding to make sure it fits in with everything else that is there. Mr. Backlund asked the width of the house. Mr. Jennings said the lot is 50-feet wide, so they intend om making the house 30-feet wide. He said the depth will depend on the square footage and allowed lot coverage. Chairman Thompson said there have been a couple of new houses built in the Historic District since he has served on the Commission. He said they HZC will need to know the heights of the buildings to shoot the grades to figure out the height where the ridge is on the ones immediately adjacent to this. He said that will be an important feature to know in the review when Mr. 6 HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 Jennings come back to the HZC. He said they want to know samples of the roof material, siding, windows and doors so they can look at all of that package as part of the approval process. Ms. White ask Mr. Jennings if he was aware of the proposed City Core Overlay (CCO). Mr. Jennings said yes, Ms. Kerr has sent him information on the CCO. Chairman Thompson noticed in the drawing there are steps centered in front of a door that goes to the master bedroom. Mr. Jennings said they plan to change that. Chairman Thompson suggested changing the doors into windows and moving the steps over to the right. He said it won’t be symmetrical but would make more sense. Ms. Anderson and Mr. Jakes agreed with Chairman Thompson. Chairman Thompson feels the house looks great and fits in well, adding they have done a great job. Mr. Jakes echoed Chairman Thompson’s compliment, adding he like the window choice, front porch and door shown in the elevation. Mr. Becker made a motion to approve the initial concept for construction of a new residence on a vacant lot at 449 East College Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jakes and approved unanimously. Other Business Ms. Kerr asked for approval of the 2020 Historic Zoning Commission Calendar. Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the 2020 Historic Zoning Commission Calendar as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Backlund and carried unanimously in favor. Chairman Thompson was grateful for the updated list of HZC contact information. Mr. Becker made a motion to adjourn at 4:10 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jakes and carried unanimously in favor. 7 HZC Minutes October 15, 2019 _____________________________________ ____________________________________ CHAIRMAN SECRETARY 8