The Island Home Park neighborhood is a unique part of Knoxville made up of sections that developed over two periods of time - the first third of the 20th century and the decade following World War II. The majority of houses fall into one of those design periods, but all areas of the neighborhood are linked by topography, lot sizes, landscaping, and areas of separation formed by major streets, the Tennessee River, and the Tennessee School for the Deaf, which is a major institutional use.

The older section of Island Home Park achieved National Register listing ten years ago. The neighborhood is protecting that section with an H-1 Historic Overlay. But the neighborhood is also interested in preserving the portion of the neighborhood; those sections will be included in this Neighborhood Conservation (NC-1) overlay. A list of properties follows this guidelines section.

The purpose of the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay (NC-1) for sections of the Island Home Park neighborhood is to maintain the significant physical setting and minimize negative impacts to the architectural heritage and natural environment of Island Home Park. Specifically, the design guidelines are intended to

• Preserve the historic appearance of the neighborhood;
• Encourage new development that is consistent with the existing architecture;
• Provide guidelines for additions to the alteration of existing buildings so their architectural significance and their consistency with surrounding buildings is maintained; and
• Encourage the maintenance of the neighborhood's unique natural and man-made boundaries.

These guidelines do not regulate how property may be used. That regulation is achieved through the Knoxville Zoning Ordinance. These guidelines apply to the addition of space to an existing building, the demolition of part or all of an existing building, and the construction of new buildings. Changes to existing buildings such as interior alterations, wiring or plumbing, painting, the addition of artificial siding, roofing, or installing replacement windows, even though they usually require a building permit, will not require a review by the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission.

If property owners plan to make additions to existing buildings, construct new buildings, or demolish all or part of existing buildings a Certificates of Appropriateness is required before they can obtain a building permit. The person applying for the Certificate should contact the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission staff at the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission. Staff will review the project and may issue a Certificate of Appropriateness if the project meets the design guidelines, or may refer the application to the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission if it does not. In the case of new construction or the demolition of all or part of a contributing building, the review of the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission is required.

NEW DEVELOPMENT AND ADDITIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS

1. The design of additions and accessory buildings should be consistent with the character of the main structure.
2. New buildings on vacant lots shall be set back the same distance from primary streets as the adjacent buildings.
3. The width of side yard setbacks should duplicate the average side yard widths of the three adjacent existing buildings on each side of the subject property.
4. Do not place new buildings at odd angles to the street.
5. The recommended location for additions is to the rear or side of existing buildings. Additions to the front of buildings are not encouraged if they obscure the original architectural designs.
6. Porches can be enclosed with glass or can be screened providing the glass or screen is behind the front side of support posts, columns, eaves and other features which define the front porch space. The glass or screening should provide as much transparency as existed prior to the enclosure and be designed to be easily removable.
7. Primary entrances and front facades of new buildings should be sited facing the primary street. The front façade should have a strong sense of entry.
8. Sidewalks should be provided that run from the front sidewalk to the front entrance, reinforcing the established rhythm and emphasizing the importance of the front entry.
9. If additions are made to the existing building, they should be located at least five feet behind the front façade of the existing building.
10. Accessory buildings should be located at least fifteen feet to the rear of the front façade line.
11. Aluminum carports are not allowed unless they are located in rear yards and are not visible from public streets.

1. Houses with the same design of front facades cannot be repeated within five adjacent houses.
2. Designs for new buildings should be drawn from the same architectural styles that are discussed in these design guidelines.
3. New additions and constructions shall conform to the prevailing widths and heights of typical facades of adjacent houses. The footprint of new additions and constructions should be in character and proportion with contributing neighboring houses, even if originally platted lots have been combined into larger lots.
4. New buildings and additions should not incorporate round-topped windows or windows with arched transoms., unless appropriate for the architectural style being used in the new construction.
5. The minimum roof pitch should be appropriate for the style of house that is being constructed.
6. Stoops, porticos or front porches are required for new buildings, with a form appropriate for the general style of the building being constructed.
7. The average foundation height of new buildings should replicate the average height of buildings on adjacent lots.

1. In constructing new buildings, the materials should be appropriate to the design of the building being constructed.
2. If an addition is made to an existing house, the wall cladding materials should duplicate those on the existing house.
3. Board and batten and materials can be used on accessory buildings located in the side or rear yards.
4. The following wall cladding materials should not be used on primary buildings or accessory structures visible from neighborhood streets:
         · T-111 or similar products
         · Exposed concrete blocks
         · Vinyl siding, unless the design includes corner boards, shirt boards
           and heavy window and door trim
         · Split face block

1. Attached garages or carports should be located fifteen feet back of the front facing façade.
2. Detached garages shall be located behind and to the side of the existing house.
3. If driveways are built they should be 9-12' wide. Separate tire strips of concrete are encouraged.
4. Parking pads should not be placed in the front yard.

When new construction is undertaken in the Island Home Park Historic District, landscaping and other design features are also reviewed by the Historic Zoning Commission.

1. The maximum lot coverage for the footprint of a house and accessory buildings shall not exceed 30% of the lot. Pavement in front and/or side yards visible from public streets shall be minimized, so that the landscaping and plantings convey the impression of a residential setting. The desirable maximum lot coverage for all impermeable surfaces including the primary structure, accessory buildings, driveway, pool, patio, tennis court and other features on the lot is 50% of the lot. Impermeable surfaces on lots should not exceed 65%.
2. If driveways are constructed, they should be as narrow as possible, and applicant may want to consider using parallel driving tracks rather than one large slab.
3. Mature trees in the designated area should be protected, with residents and agencies encouraged to begin planning the next generation of trees as soon as possible.
4. The front and rear yards of new houses shall provide large native trees that will reach at least 50' in height at maturity, with at least one tree in each of the front and rear yards, if those trees do not already exist on the property. Examples of these trees include oaks, maples, sweet gums, sycamores, and other native trees suited to the climate, soils and environment in the neighborhood.
5. At least one native ornamental tree, such as dogwoods or redbuds, should also be planted in the front and rear yards of each newly constructed home in the neighborhood.
6. On streets where mailboxes are attached to existing houses, there shall be no mailboxes on the street; all mailboxes on new construction should be attached to the houses.
7. Fences or freestanding walls over 32" shall not be constructed in front of the front yard.

1. Demolitions are regulated by the NC-1 designation and these guidelines. A property owner may not receive a demolition permit without review and approval by the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission. Property owners will be granted permission to demolish structures that are noted in the property inventory as non-contributing (NC). The non-contributing designation means that the building has lost historic architectural integrity, either through alteration or deterioration, that cannot be reasonably reestablished. The property inventory is found on page ____ of this report. The Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission may also allow demolition if fire, flooding, winds or other disaster has substantially damaged a building. The decision of the Commission shall be informed by an assessment by a licensed structural engineer or architect.