The study comes at the request of the Oakwood Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association and will assist the neighborhood in evaluating zoning tools that can help preserve and protect the neighborhood.
Oakwood Overlay Report
The Oakwood Overlay Report provides an overview of research, public outreach and preservation planning efforts in the Oakwood neighborhood of North Knoxville. In a 2016 resolution, City Council recommended that Planning staff review and make a recommendation on the possible addition of an historic or neighborhood conservation overlay in Oakwood. The Overlay Report includes a brief history and a summary of early planning efforts in the neighborhood. The report then provides information gathered through a survey of existing architectural conditions, and an overview of public outreach efforts related to the overlay process. Planning hosted four public meetings from 2018 to early 2020, along with four additional open houses hosted by neighborhood proponents of the overlay in late 2019. Based on the extensive research and neighborhood input over the last several years, Planning recommends a neighborhood conservation overlay for Oakwood. A neighborhood conservation will serve as an incremental approach to historic preservation in Oakwood: providing less restrictive guidelines than an historic overlay, while ensuring that future development is respectful of Oakwood’s unique character.
Design Guidelines
Study area
The study area is bounded by North Avenue (just north of Morelia Ave), Woodland Avenue, Harvey Street, and Central Street.
Understanding Historic and Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlays
In most areas, zoning determines what buildings and land can be used for, where a building can be located on a piece of property, and how big it can be. Zoning makes sure property development is appropriate in relation to what’s around it.
Neighborhood zoning overlays are a special set of provisions or regulations for a defined area. They are often designed to preserve and protect neighborhood character and/or historic areas.
Certificate of Appropriateness
In both Historic (H-1) and Neighborhood Conservation (NC-1) overlays, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required in addition to a building permit. A COA approval ensures that exterior construction and renovations are consistent with the overlay.
COA applications are reviewed by Planning staff or the Historic Zoning Commission.
| Certificate of Appropriateness Required | ||
| Type of Work Project | NC-1 | H-1 |
| New Construction of Buildings | X | X |
| Additions* – increased footprint, height, or building envelope | X | X |
| Demolition (in whole or part) | X | X |
| Relocation | X | X |
| Repairs /Alterations** - existing structures | X | |
Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay (NC -1) Purpose
The Neighborhood Conservation Overlay district recognizes that older Knoxville neighborhoods need to be conserved for their cultural, historic, and housing value.
- Ensure that new construction is in harmony with the scale and physical character of the original buildings of the neighborhood through the use of the design guidelines;
- Regulate demolition and relocation of structures; and
- Avoid the need for certain zoning variances for building setbacks, lot dimensions, and related physical characteristics. (Although the zoning code does not specifically mention this intent, it is intended to be a benefit of both the H-1 and NC-1 districts.)
Historic District Overlay (H -1) Purpose
The Historic District Overlay district preserves and protects historic structures and areas which serve as visible reminders of the history and cultural and architectural heritage of the city.
- Ensure that new construction, repair, alteration, and rehabilitation of structures are in harmony with the scale and physical character of the original buildings of the neighborhood through the use of design guidelines;
- Regulate demolition and relocation of structures; and
- Avoid the need for certain zoning variances for building setbacks, lot dimensions, and related physical characteristics. (Although the zoning code does not specifically mention this intent, it is intended to be a benefit of both the H-1 and NC-1 districts.)
