Design Review Board

Lonsdale Infill Housing Overlay District

12-B-23-IH

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of Certificate 12-B-23-IH subject to the following conditions: 1) applicant to provide final measurements on front porch depth and setback from main massing to front property line; front setback revisions to align house with streetscape as needed, to be approved by staff; 2) final site plan to meet City Engineering standards; 3) front porch to measure 8' in depth and feature posts that are at least 6 by 6; 4) revisions to side elevation windows, to be approved by staff.


Location
1225 Connecticut Ave. 37921

Owner
Clayton Clayton Powers

Applicant Request
New Primary Structure
1. The front porch is proposed to be set 21.54' from the front property line, resulting in the house's massing set approximately 29.54' from the front property line. The adjacent houses are set 26' and 23' from the front property line. The applicant should provide measurements on the front porch depth to staff; revisions to the front setback may be necessary to align new house with the streetscape. The site plan includes a sidewalk to the street.

2. The block to receive new construction is characterized by Queen Anne cottages and Craftsman bungalows. The proposed one-story, three-bay house is proportional to the dimensions of the lot and the context of the block. The side yard setbacks are consistent with the block.

3. The proposed parking meets the Infill Housing design guidelines as using the alley for access and placing parking behind the house. Final revisions to the site plan may be necessary to meet City Engineering standards.

4. The one-story, three-bay façade is similar to the context. The proposed house has an elevated foundation which appears comparable to the neighborhood context; the applicant should provide final measurements on the foundation height.

5. The house features a partial-width front porch (depth not provided). The overall porch design meets the Infill Housing guidelines, though the applicant should provide measurements on porch supports and porch depth. The porch should be supported by posts that are at least 6 by 6 and measure at least 8' in depth.

6. Guidelines recommend window and door styles be similar, with similar proportions and ratio of solid to void to, to historic houses on the block. Revisions should be made to the side elevations to incorporate additional transparency.

7. The proposed roof pitch, 6/12, is the minimum typically approved in the Infill Housing overlay and meets the design guidelines.

8. Siding materials are not specified on the application. If the applicant selects vinyl siding, the final siding material should feature an overlap instead of flush panel or Dutch lap vinyl siding.

9. The site plan includes the planting of one new tree in the rear yard and the retention of an existing tree in the front.

Staff Comments
New primary residence fronting Connecticut Avenue. One-story residence features a front-gable roof (6/12 pitch), an exterior of horizontal siding (no material specified), and a concrete block foundation. The front porch will be set 21.54' from the front property line. The parking will be located to the rear of the house, accessed from the alley.

The façade (south elevation) features a partial-width, front-gable roof porch supported by square wood posts. The three-bay façade features a centrally-located front door flanked by paired one-over-one windows. The right elevation features one one-over-one window, and the left elevation features two smaller slider windows. A secondary access is located on the rear elevation.
Applicant

Clayton Clayton Powers


Planning Staff
Lindsay Lanois
Phone: 865-215-3795
Email: lindsay.lanois@knoxplanning.org

Case History