Commission approves infill at 1704 Primrose with conditions; porch height left to field verification

The Metro Nashville Historic Zoning Commission voted to approve a proposed infill house at 1704 Primrose Avenue in the Belmont-Hillsborough neighborhood conservation overlay, with standard staff conditions. Staff presented the proposal and said the lot is one of the narrowest on the block at 50 feet and that the proposed house "meets the base zoning setbacks" and that "staff finds the massing to be appropriate to the historic context." A staff representative (Jenny, historic zoning staff) told the commission the porch height in the streetscape was measured at about 3 feet and that the project aims to match the porch relationship to neighboring houses. William Smallman, the applicant, asked that staff and the commission allow some flexibility for final porch elevation during field measurement. "If y'all can have some flexibility for just acknowledging following the guideline for us later, that would be really helpful," Smallman said. Jenny replied that the guidelines require the porch to be "below the average" of the adjacent houses and that the drawings presented are what the commission will review; she added that small field variations may be acceptable and that the project could return to the commission if needed. Commissioner Smith moved to approve the project with the applicable conditions; Commissioner Mosley seconded. The motion passed with no recorded opposition. The applicant was advised to communicate proposed construction changes to contractors and to coordinate with staff during field verification so the finished porch height and foundation conform to the commission's design guidelines.