0:00 – Call to Order. Chairman Cliff McCormick called the Historic Zoning Commission meeting to order and conducted a roll call. Present: Cliff McCormick (Chair), Piper Stromat, Todd Morgan, John Kavitt, Cassie Courtney, Nathan Bird, Matt McDonald, and Skip Pond. Brandon Panganban did not answer roll call. All persons planning to speak were sworn in. The Chair reviewed the rules of procedure for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) hearings, noting that a COA is not a building or land-disturbance permit, that work must begin within six months of issuance, and that plan changes require a new application.
11:52 – Approval of Minutes. Motion to approve the previous month's minutes made by Matt McDonald, seconded by Todd Morgan. Approved unanimously.
Timestamp: 43:28 – 59:10. Property: Historic structure, circa 1940; previous historic zoning history includes a 2022 fence approval. Proposal: A 20x20 rear addition with gable roof, CMU foundation to match the existing structure, HardiePlank cement siding, and architectural shingles. Action: Approved, subject to conditions.
Motion by Cliff McCormick, seconded by Matt McDonald; motion carried unanimously.
Timestamp: 59:14 – 1:06:57. Action: Approved as submitted, pursuant to Chattanooga City Code Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 10-15E and the Chattanooga Historic Guidelines, with no conditions. Motion carried unanimously (seconded by Nathan Bird).
Timestamp: 1:07:05 – 1:18:14. Property: Historic structure, circa 1925; no prior historic zoning history. Proposal: A rear addition with fiber-lap siding to match the size, style, and color of the existing house. Action: Approved as submitted, subject to the condition that the final window submission be sent in for staff approval. Motion carried unanimously (seconded by Cliff McCormick).
Timestamp: 1:18:25 – 1:25:42. Property: Historic structure, circa 1920; previous zoning history includes a 2019 fence. Proposal: New accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and detached garage, including Andersen 200-series clad-wood double-hung windows. Commission discussion noted the site has very limited public visibility due to a retaining wall, grade change, and rear fencing. Action: Approved as submitted, with no conditions. Motion carried unanimously (seconded by Nathan Bird).
Timestamp: 1:25:46 – 1:40:34. Property: Historic structure, circa 1950; previous zoning history includes a rear porch addition. Proposal: Applicant sought to apply a coating and paint to the existing masonry exterior. Commission members discussed at length whether painting brick was consistent with the district's design guidelines, noting the newer, more detailed guidelines (developed with neighborhood input) more explicitly restrict painting unpainted masonry than prior guidelines did, even though painted brick exists elsewhere in St. Elmo. Action: Denied. Motion to deny made and seconded by Todd Morgan; motion carried.
Timestamp: 1:40:34 – 1:50:48. Property: Not a historic structure; built circa 2018 (prior zoning history includes 2018 new construction, window, and retaining wall approvals). Proposal: Porch addition and outbuilding, and demolition of the existing garage. Action: Approved as submitted, pursuant to Chattanooga City Code Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 10-15E, with no conditions. Motion carried unanimously (seconded by Cassie Courtney).
Timestamp: 1:50:53 – 2:00:27. Property: Historic structure, circa 1920s. Proposal: An addition and demolition of an accessory structure; the commission noted the scope had changed significantly since a prior review of this property. Action: Approved as submitted, pursuant to Chattanooga City Code Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 10-15E and the Chattanooga Historic Guidelines, with no conditions. Motion carried unanimously.
Timestamp: 2:00:53 – 2:18:22. Property: Not historic — the original historic structure on the vacant lot burned down. Proposal: New construction, including a new house, rear garage, and parking areas, sited relative to the footprints of neighboring properties at 4311 and 4317 St. Elmo Avenue. Commissioners raised concerns about the proposed Tudor Revival style, particularly shutter proportions and a large, shallow-pitched blank wall on the elevation facing St. Elmo Avenue, and asked the applicant to look to nearby homes for guidance on roof slope and siding. Action: Deferred 30 days. With the commission about to lose quorum (Piper Stromat had already left the meeting), a motion to defer 30 days was made, seconded, and carried.
Timestamp: 12:25 – 43:23. At the applicant's request, this item was moved to the top of the new-business agenda. Kendra Childers (1263 Mercer Street, Lupton City) requested a 60-day deferral on behalf of proponents of designating Lupton City as a local historic district, citing a need to gather additional input from residents who had not been aware of, or able to attend, earlier meetings. A representative of the opposition also asked for a 60-day deferral to allow neighbors "to come to peaceful terms and get amongst ourselves." Extended commission discussion followed regarding the proposed review matrix that would govern Lupton City if designated, including a recommendation that, if approved, the ordinance be amended to guarantee a Lupton City resident a seat on the review commission, consistent with how the other three historic districts are composed. Commissioners also cautioned that residents should evaluate the Lupton City-specific review matrix on its own terms rather than assuming it mirrors rules in St. Elmo or Ferger Place, since requirements can differ significantly between districts. No vote was taken; the case was deferred 60 days per both parties' request.
2:19:09 – Staff Update. Staff announced a change in the City Attorney's Office: Andrew Trundle has left to take a position with Hamilton County, and two new attorneys, Elizabeth and Ryan, are now assigned to support the commission.
