By PATRICK HALL
The Wilson Post

Historic Lebanon Tomorrow is hoping to put off the possible demolition of an historic home on West Main Street known as the Partee home, in order to make way for an office building.

Kim Parks, chairperson of the Historic Lebanon Tomorrow Board of Directors, said the home was built in the 1890s and the organization, along with a few concerned citizens want to see the home preserved, or at least, in the future, see a new historic zoning that will protect some of Lebanon’s oldest homes.

The home at 233 West Main Street, which is next to the Robert L. Caruthers home housing Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home, is one of Lebanon’s oldest homes and has housed local businesses for nearly 20 years.

“He is within his right to tear it down. But we would like Mr. Hobbs to reconsider tearing it down,” Parks said.

Dunnavant said the property is zoned B-1, and if the commission approves the site plan on Tuesday, the Planning Office must review the proposal and make sure it complies with the plan approved by the commission. Dunnavant said at that point, the developer could pull a permit to begin construction.

The Partee house is a smaller example of what Historic Lebanon Tomorrow wants to prevent from happening in Lebanon, and they are advocating for the creation of a historic zoning district that will protect the historic homes and buildings in Lebanon.

Former City Planner Will Hager got the ball rolling on that front and Dunnavant said the planning office asked the commission if they would consider recommending an historic zoning district to Lebanon City Council.

The council would ultimately have to approve the establishment of such a zoning class. But first, Dunnavant said another planning commission would have to be formed.

He said a historic planning board would have to be established to consider properties for the historic zoning. When the proposal was presented to the commission several months ago, Dunnavant said there was interest.

“They were interested, but I think they felt we were not adequately staffed for that at this point,” Dunnavant said.

Parks said the historic homes on West Main Street and in downtown neighborhoods, as well as historic buildings in Lebanon are what make the city unique. She said many new shopping centers or squares try to mimic the authentic appearance of the historic features of Lebanon.

“Once you tear down an historic home you can never get it back,” Parks said.

She said three years ago there was a meeting held within the community and with the planning commission about establishing an historic zoning district that had a good turnout, but Parks noted it hasn’t gained much traction in that time.

“That would provide some protection for the home and other homes or buildings,” she said.

The Planning Commission meets at 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, in the Town Meeting Hall of the Lebanon Administration Building located at 200 N. Castle Heights Ave.

Staff Writer Patrick Hall may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .