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Record of Proceedings

Historic Zoning Commission Reviews Lupton City Deferral and Eight Cases on September 17, 2026

City Council & City Boards — Thursday, September 17, 2026
BodyChattanooga, Tennessee
SessionCity Council & City Boards
DateThursday, September 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:21:58

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
8:24

How are you?

8:27

No, that's all right.

8:28

What are you doing?

8:34

Me too.

8:54

I'll call us to order this morning.

8:56

We could please start with a roll call.

9:01

Cliff McCormick.

9:03

Piper Strawmat.

9:04

Brandon Panganeban.

9:06

Todd Morgan.

9:08

Present.

9:08

John Cabot.

9:10

Cassie Courtney.

9:11

Nathan Byrd.

9:13

Present.

9:13

Matt McDonald.

9:15

Skip Pond.

9:16

Present.

9:16

Thank you.

9:17

And please remember to use your mics.

9:18

We are live streaming.

9:20

All right.

9:21

If we could do our swearing in for anyone that's going to speak this morning.

9:26

If you're planning to speak today, we please stand and raise your right hand if you sworn in.

10:00

After which the applicant will have a chance for rebuttal of five minutes, and then the commission members will discuss the case and make a motion.

10:07

A certificate of appropriateness will be issued within a week of this hearing.

10:10

If you defer your case or if you have conditional items to bring back for the commission, you must contact staff and ask to be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

10:18

You will not automatically be added to the agenda.

10:21

If you plan to speak, you must be sworn in and sign in at the podium when you come up.

10:26

If you need it, there's a laser pointer on the podium to point out anything on screen.

10:31

If you would like to defer your case to be heard at a later date, a deferral must be requested prior to the statement of the case's motion.

10:39

Existing uh let's see.

10:42

If you leave the meeting, uh please wait till you exit the wooden doors to uh speak or or use your cell phone.

10:49

All construction work must make their certificate of appropriateness and design guidelines as approved by this commission or staff.

10:57

If plans change, a new application will be required.

11:00

If work is not started within six months of the issue date, a new COA will need to be issued.

11:06

A COA is not a building permit or a land disturbing permit.

11:09

Please contact the land disturbing office or the building permit office prior to the start of your project.

11:15

The COA must be posted in a visible location or on file on the property until the project is complete.

11:22

Applicants are respectfully requested to ensure that they have submitted the required application and supporting documents prior to this meeting and to adhere to the time limits as previously explained.

11:32

Board members are requested to limit questions and comments on the case to only those within the purview of the board.

11:38

Code setback variants and zoning issues are not within the purview of the board commission and will have to be addressed by the applicant with the appropriate personnel within the city.

11:48

Reminder this meeting is being recorded.

11:52

Next, we need to approve minutes from last month's meeting.

11:55

If everyone has had a chance to review those, I'll take a motion to approve them.

12:01

So moved.

12:02

Matt, uh, do we have a second?

12:04

Second.

12:07

All right.

12:08

The minutes are approved.

12:10

Okay.

12:11

Do we have any staff reviews?

12:13

Uh, yes, you can see a listing of the staff reviews here on the screen.

12:16

Okay.

12:17

All right.

12:19

As you can see, we have a long agenda today.

12:22

And the folks, a few folks are here from Lufton City.

12:25

I'm told that that is probably going to be deferred.

12:28

And I'm going to make a motion to move that to the top of the agenda so we can dispense with that and get them out of here.

12:36

Seconded.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████59%
Planning And Zoning█████████████████████28%
Public Engagement████5%
Procedural███4%
Community Engagement██2%
Code Enforcement█1%
Personnel Matters█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission Meeting – September 17, 2026

The Historic Zoning Commission met to consider a proposed local historic district for Lupton City (LHD 26-1) and eight new business cases involving additions, accessory dwelling units, new construction, and a brick painting proposal. The meeting included public testimony, commission discussion, and votes. Key outcomes include a 60-day deferral for the Lupton City district and approvals/denials on several applications.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lupton City Historic District (LHD 26-1): Multiple residents spoke. Amanda Seegan (homeowner of 3393 Northrop St) opposed inclusion of her newly constructed (2025) home, citing incorrect ownership information and a neighborhood survey with only 24 responses (12 in favor, 9 opposed, 3 undecided) out of 261 addresses – arguing the reported 50% support was misleading. Christy Brock (owner of three properties) raised concerns about unclear repair timelines and cost burdens for low-income homeowners, asking about hardship assistance. Another resident requested a clear process for voicing objections. A long-time resident questioned how modern materials (insulated windows, architectural shingles) can be considered historical. The applicant (Kendra Childers) requested the deferral to gather more resident input.
  • HC 2693 (5101 Tennessee Ave) – Brick Painting: Denise Shaw (1402 W 54th St) opposed painting the brick, stating that sealants exist to waterproof without concealing the brick, and that the home is a high-value post-World War II structure.
  • HC 2696 (4313 St. Elmo Ave) – New Construction: Denise Shaw commented that the proposed design resembles suburban “anywhere USA” and does not align with St. Elmo’s architectural character.

Discussion Items

  • LHD 26-1 – Lupton City Historic District: Staff (Cassie) provided a timeline of five public meetings (Jan 12, Mar 3, Apr 14, Apr 29, Jun 1) plus a Sept 8 meeting. The neighborhood association applied; a letter was sent to all parcels. The association’s voting structure (property-owner based, not resident-based) was discussed. Commissioners noted that the proposed review matrix is specific to Lupton City and encouraged residents to review it carefully rather than relying on hearsay from other districts. The applicant requested a 60-day deferral to allow more community input; no opposition to the deferral was voiced. Commissioner Piper recused herself. The commission voted unanimously to defer 60 days.
  • HC 2686 – 5005 Beulah Ave, St. Elmo: Applicant sought approval for a 20x20 rear addition with gable roof, hardie siding, architectural shingles. Commission discussed roof pitch, dormer relocation, and window material. Staff noted addition is not visible from Beulah Avenue. Motion approved with conditions: foundation to be concrete block with stucco coating; trim to match paper exhibit; existing dormer window relocated to utility room; windows to be staff-reviewed. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2689 – 4707 Tennessee Ave, St. Elmo: Applicant proposed an accessory dwelling unit over existing garage. Discussion about garage being non-original, ADU height (not to exceed principal dwelling), and topography allowing height compliance. No conditions needed; motion approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2690 – 120 Morningside Dr, Fergor Place: Addition at side and rear. Applicant proposed aluminum-clad windows for front, vinyl for rear. Commission asked for final window submission for staff review. Condition: staff approval of window selection. Motion approved with that condition. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2691 – 4403 Alabama Ave, St. Elmo: Garage ADU and demolition of existing deteriorated outbuilding. Commission discussed driveway material (decorative pea gravel), roof pitch, and low visibility. Motion approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2693 – 5101 Tennessee Ave, St. Elmo: Applicant requested to paint previously unpainted brick with a breathable mineral-based paint (Roma Bio). Commission noted guidelines strongly discourage painting historic brick, and no evidence of significant brick compromise (only poor repairs). Applicant acknowledged water issues but mostly subterranean. Commission denied per guidelines. Vote: unanimous (Todd seconded).
  • HC 2694 – 4419 Alabama Ave, St. Elmo: Porch addition, new breakfast room, workout room, carport, demolition of existing garage. Staff noted additions are rear and low visibility. Commission approved without conditions, noting plunge pool fence can be staff reviewed. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2695 – 1709 W 43rd St, St. Elmo: Rear addition and restoration of front porch after several previous plans. Applicant (Denise Shaw) explained removal of non-historic addition, reuse of historic windows, and careful design to fit lot shape. Commission approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2696 – 4313 St. Elmo Ave, St. Elmo: New construction on vacant lot (former historic house burned down). Proposed 4300 sq ft Tudor revival style. Public comment opposed design. Commission concerns: large blank side elevation facing St. Elmo Avenue, driveway turnaround in front yard (conflicting with guidelines), and architectural style not consistent with the neighborhood. Commissioner Cassie recused. Motion to defer 30 days to allow applicant to redesign, with guidance to study immediate area homes for inspiration on materials, roof slopes, and style. Deferred. Vote: unanimous.

Key Outcomes

  • LHD 26-1 (Lupton City): Deferred 60 days (to January 2027 meeting) to allow additional community outreach. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2686 (5005 Beulah Ave): Approved with conditions (foundation stucco, trim per exhibit, dormer relocation, windows staff-reviewed). Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2689 (4707 Tennessee Ave): Approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2690 (120 Morningside Dr): Approved with condition (staff review of final window selection). Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2691 (4403 Alabama Ave): Approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2693 (5101 Tennessee Ave): Denied (painting historic brick not permitted under guidelines). Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2694 (4419 Alabama Ave): Approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2695 (1709 W 43rd St): Approved without conditions. Vote: unanimous.
  • HC 2696 (4313 St. Elmo Ave): Deferred 30 days to October 2026 meeting for redesign. Vote: unanimous.

Meeting Transcript

How are you? No, that's all right. What are you doing? Me too. I'll call us to order this morning. We could please start with a roll call. Cliff McCormick. Piper Strawmat. Brandon Panganeban. Todd Morgan. Present. John Cabot. Cassie Courtney. Nathan Byrd. Present. Matt McDonald. Skip Pond. Present. Thank you. And please remember to use your mics. We are live streaming. All right. If we could do our swearing in for anyone that's going to speak this morning. If you're planning to speak today, we please stand and raise your right hand if you sworn in. After which the applicant will have a chance for rebuttal of five minutes, and then the commission members will discuss the case and make a motion. A certificate of appropriateness will be issued within a week of this hearing. If you defer your case or if you have conditional items to bring back for the commission, you must contact staff and ask to be added to the agenda for the next meeting. You will not automatically be added to the agenda. If you plan to speak, you must be sworn in and sign in at the podium when you come up. If you need it, there's a laser pointer on the podium to point out anything on screen. If you would like to defer your case to be heard at a later date, a deferral must be requested prior to the statement of the case's motion. Existing uh let's see. If you leave the meeting, uh please wait till you exit the wooden doors to uh speak or or use your cell phone. All construction work must make their certificate of appropriateness and design guidelines as approved by this commission or staff. If plans change, a new application will be required. If work is not started within six months of the issue date, a new COA will need to be issued. A COA is not a building permit or a land disturbing permit. Please contact the land disturbing office or the building permit office prior to the start of your project. The COA must be posted in a visible location or on file on the property until the project is complete. Applicants are respectfully requested to ensure that they have submitted the required application and supporting documents prior to this meeting and to adhere to the time limits as previously explained. Board members are requested to limit questions and comments on the case to only those within the purview of the board. Code setback variants and zoning issues are not within the purview of the board commission and will have to be addressed by the applicant with the appropriate personnel within the city. Reminder this meeting is being recorded. Next, we need to approve minutes from last month's meeting. If everyone has had a chance to review those, I'll take a motion to approve them. So moved. Matt, uh, do we have a second? Second. All right. The minutes are approved.

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