Historic Zoning Commission Meeting – October 16, 2025

The Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission met on October 16, 2025, to consider several certificate of appropriateness (COA) cases for properties in the Ferger Place and St. Elmo historic districts. The commission approved minutes from the previous meeting, acted on six old business cases and five new business cases, with most approvals subject to conditions. Public comment was heard on one case.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous month were approved unanimously (motion by Cliff, second by Matt).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case HZ2554 (203 Evening Side Dr) – Eric Smith (209 Evening Side Dr) expressed opposition, stating that over 90% of the proposal violates the Ferger Place guidelines, particularly regarding new openings and material changes. He urged strict enforcement. John Brown (1512 South Hawthorne St) spoke in support, noting that the house had been significantly altered historically and that the proposed changes would move it toward historical accuracy. The applicant responded that the plan is identical to one approved in 2022.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – Case HZ2554 (203 Evening Side Dr, Ferger Place): Proposal to add new openings, deck railing, and material changes. Approved previously in 2022 but not started within six months. The commission voted to enter the prior COA into the record and approved the same plan (motion by Cliff, second by Todd). Approved unanimously.
• Old Business – Case HC2496 (4425 Seneca Ave, St. Elmo): Stop work order for windows replaced without a COA. The applicant (not present) had been granted temporary approval for vinyl windows to remain while original windows are repaired and reinstalled. The commission reissued the COA with the same conditions (motion by Cliff, second by Cassie). Approved.
• Old Business – Case HZ23171 (4423 Seneca Ave, St. Elmo): As-built changes for a new construction (circa 2025) that deviated from approved drawings (windows, porch elements, missing arches). The applicant requested a continuance to determine which changes to address. The commission deferred the case to allow the applicant to return with a revised proposal (motion by Todd, second by Cassie).
• Old Business – Case HC23134 (5101 Tennessee Ave, St. Elmo): Proposed change from a hip roof to a gable roof on a rear screened porch. The footprint is unchanged. The applicant stated the gable roof allows more light and better views. Approved (motion by Cliff, second by Matt).
• Old Business – Case HC2456 (1402 West 55th St, St. Elmo): Facade, window, and material changes on a new construction on a vacant lot. Changes include brick porch floor, board-and-batten siding, chimney, and rear porch. The commission approved with a condition that rear porch handrails be staff-approved (motion by Cliff, second by Matt).
• Old Business – Case HZ22143 (503 Battery Pl, Battery Place): As-built changes for a nearly completed new construction. Changes include missing glass/steel porches, window alterations, and uninstalled stairs/fencing. The commission approved subject to a condition that pool equipment screening be installed to match the brick foundation (motion by Matt, second by Cliff).
• New Business – Case HC25100 (5500 Beulah Ave, St. Elmo): Proposed garage and parking pad on a historic property (circa 1930). The applicant wants a concrete drive and parking pad off West 55th. The commission approved with conditions: wood or HardiePlank siding and aluminum- or wood-clad windows (motion by Brandon, second by Cliff).
• New Business – Case HC25103 (4705 Michigan Ave, St. Elmo): Exterior rehabilitation and screened porch addition on a historic structure (circa 1900–1917). The applicant (Holly Ritchie, with a master’s in historic preservation) presented plans to remove vinyl siding, add fiber cement board-and-batten and shake siding, and install a side porch with wire railing. After discussion, the commission approved with conditions: all balustrades to be 2x2 wood (not wire), spaced proportionally; side porch approval is not intended to set a precedent (motion by Todd, second by Nathan).
• New Business – Case HC25113 (4401 St. Elmo Ave, St. Elmo): Conversion of an outbuilding from a dwelling to a non-dwellable studio space. The structure had been expanded and improved. Commission approved as submitted with no conditions (motion by Cliff, second by Nathan).
• New Business – Case HC25115 (4910 St. Elmo Ave, St. Elmo): Stop work order for front porch repairs without a COA. The applicant replaced columns and decking. Commission approved with conditions: rebuild front porch columns to match historic columns (including taper and detailing), and rebuild the knee wall in like kind to a maximum height of 36 inches (motion by Cliff, second by Matt).
• New Business – Case HC25117 (5415 Beulah Ave, St. Elmo): Proposed prefabricated shed in the rear yard. The shed will be screened by an approved privacy fence. Approved with no conditions (motion by Brandon, second by Cliff).

Key Outcomes

• All actions were unanimous where votes were recorded.
• Deferral granted for Case HZ23171 (4423 Seneca Ave) for revised design.
• Several approvals included conditions requiring staff review of specific details (e.g., handrails, window materials, column reproduction).
• The commission reaffirmed that side porch approvals (Case HC25103) are not to set a precedent.
• Next steps: Certificates of appropriateness will be issued within a week; applicants with deferrals or conditions must contact staff to be added to the next agenda.