Historic Zoning Commission

Edgewood-Park City H: Level II

1-A-24-HZ

Staff Recommendation

Based on the building's non-contributing nature, staff recommends retroactive approval of the demolition as proposed.


Location Knoxville
1728 Jefferson Ave. 37917

Owner
Tyler Tyler Smith

Applicant Request
Other: Demolition of non-contributing structure
After-the-fact review of demolition of non-contributing secondary structure. Structure was a one-story building constructed of concrete masonry units with a side-gable roof, located to the rear of the property line, adjacent to the alley.

Staff Comments
Queen Anne cottage, c.1900
    One-and-one-half-story residence with a cross-gable roof, an exterior of wood lap siding, and a continuous brick foundation. Partial-width porch.

The existing Edgewood-Park City Design Guidelines, dating to 1997, lack specific guidelines on demolition (similar to other guideline documents from that time). The revised Edgewood-Park City Design Guidelines (approved by the HZC, to be re-reviewed by HZC and adopted by City Council in early 2024), have demolition guidelines copied below, to use as a reference.

Demolition creates a permanent change in and loss to the district, reducing its historic and architectural significance. Demolition will be considered only when all other alternatives have been explored.

1. Work with the Historic Zoning Commission (HZC) to identify alternatives to demolition.
a. Redesign the project to avoid any impact to the structure or setting.
b. Incorporate the structure into the overall design of the project.
c. Convert the structure into another use (adaptive reuse).
d. Relocate the structure on the current property.
e. Relocate the structure to another property within the same H zoning overlay.
f. Relocate the structure to another property within the city of county.
2. Before demolition is considered, document the condition of the building, including any public health and safety issues, such as asbestos or lead paint.
3. Document significant structures through photographs and drawings prior to demolition.
4. Describe any impact of demolition of the subject property on the surrounding properties.
5. Work with the HZC staff and interested groups to facilitate salvage of usable architectural materials if demolition is approved.
6. Approval for demolition may be considered if the HZC determines that the building or structure does not contribute to the historical or architectural character of the district. A building's contribution may include its linkage, historically or architecturally, to other buildings in the district, such that their continuity as a collection possesses greater significance than the subject building as an individual resource.

Case History