Commission approves reduced‑scope ADU at 5419 Saint Elmo Avenue

The Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission approved a reduced proposal for 5419 Saint Elmo Avenue in the Saint Elmo neighborhood that now consists only of a freestanding accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at the rear of the lot.

Staff reported the applicant removed an earlier proposed addition from the scope and provided new renderings and site plans showing a smaller, secondary structure at the rear with gable and shed roof forms and horizontal cementitious siding to match the main dwelling. Staff found the ADU meets the Saint Elmo guidelines for secondary buildings: smaller scale, compatible design, located toward the rear and treated with similar materials.

Applicant presentation: Denise Shaw, the project architect, told the commission the owner reduced the scope to keep the project affordable and to treat the ADU as a small cottage addressing the alley frontage. She said the proposed roof and siding materials are intended to be compatible with the primary building while keeping the ADU distinguishable and modest in scale.

Commission action: A motion to approve case HZ‑25‑26 for a rear ADU carried unanimously. Staff will issue the COA and the applicant may proceed to pull required permits for construction.

Context and next steps: The ADU will be built toward the rear alley (Shoff Place) and is intended to be smaller than the primary dwelling; commissioners asked staff to confirm that any details that are readily visible from the street adhere to the design‑and‑materials guidance for secondary buildings.