One of the most charming streets in our town is Poplar Street, a residential historic district off of Main Street and a quick stroll from downtown.  Although small in size with only twenty-eight homes, Poplar looms large for anyone who appreciates older homes and a residential area surrounded by schools and shopping.

Warner Pace is a Martin resident and Chairman of the Board of the Martin Historic Zoning Commission.  He has lived on Poplar Street since the late 1980′s when he bought a dilapidated, historic home on a run-down street.  I asked him his thoughts on reviving this neighborhood and living here:

Poplar Street Beauty

What do you like most about living in the downtown area of Martin and on Poplar Street?      “It’s close to area schools with the elementary and primary within walking distance.  Downtown  is only a block away, so you can walk to work and/or shop.  Plus, the neighbors are wonderful.”

What prompted you to buy an older home? “I love the charm and warmth a period  home offers.  When I first bought my house it was in ruins, with windows out, dogs living in it, etc.  The street was mostly rental property with the larger homes being divided into apartments.  There were only four family homes in 1987.  This was all before any historic zoning overlay was established.  With the families and I who were left, we worked on establishing Poplar Street and later downtown into historic districts with zoning overlays.  With this established, future residences (homes) on Poplar Street would have to be single family homes.  As of 2010, the whole street has been restored, except one property, back to their original state and are single family properties. It has been a long journey, but worth the effort.”

Springtime On Poplar St. Lovely Older Home

Since Poplar is part of the Martin Historic district, I know there are guidelines provided to help maintain the integrity of the “historic district” title.  How restrictive are these guidelines and what challenges, if any, did you run into with them while renovating your home? “The Martin Historic zoning is an overlay zoning to the city’s regular zoning laws.  It protects the property owners from new development that would not be period to the area.  The guidelines address anything that is on street view.  The theme is to restore, not remodel.  The Historic board will work with the property owner prior to the board meetings to offer suggestions and show samples of what has been approved in the past.  A Certificate of Appropriation (COA) must be submitted on each project.  The board was very helpful during the process of restoring my  home.”

You have taken a huge role in renovating buildings both downtown with your businesses, The Lindell and The Gallery, and on your home on Poplar.  You recently provided me so much support while I was working with a prospective new business owner on a building downtown.  Speaking from experience, what do you think are the most important factors someone needs to consider before buying an older home or building? “First, do you really love it?  Next, do you have the passion and the finances to see it through?”

Historic Home Marker, Winter 2010

What are the best resources for people who want more information about historic homes, etc.  I know you mentioned the link to city hall I can provide.  Any others?    ”There are state and national websites and agencies that we work with who will provide expert advice.”

Warner’s home now is a shining example of a successful restoration.  His example led others to join in recreating an area offering the closeness of downtown living within a well-kept and desirable neighborhood.  Like many Martin streets, Poplar offers an eclectic blend of styles from two bedroom cottages to sprawling two story homes.  The problem is homes don’t go for sale that often on Poplar.  Perhaps, this neighborhood is just too comfortable to leave.

Feel free to contact Warner at wpace@utm.edu for more information or visit the sites he suggested:  http://www.cityofmartin.net/historic.htm;      http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/hist/

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Here are the Poplar Street stats*:

Current Listings:                 1

Asking Price:                          $118,900
Htd. Square Footage:         2430

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Current Pending: 0

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Closed Sales (Past Year Jan. 2009-Jan. 2010): 0

Every one of our neighborhoods has its own story.  Join in the conversation and comment on what you love about our area.  Looking for more information?  Send me a note, and I’ll be happy to provide you with a detailed report on the homes on this street or other neighborhoods in Martin and surrounding areas.  And, if you know of a neighborhood you would like to see highlighted, just let me know.

*Stats Info.from MLS Data -Reelfoot Regional Association of Realtors

Wanted:  A comfortable neighborhood tucked back into fields and yet close to everything.  Found:  Plantation Estates just off of Hawks Road in Martin.  

Homeowners here have told me, over the years, that location and convenience are just a few of the many benefits of living in Plantation Estates.  Turning off the bypass at the University Commons business district, you only have to drive a few minutes along Hawks Road to reach this u-shaped subdivision. 

A little history-   Stan McMinn, a former engineer with the Weakley County Municiple Electric Service, began development of Plantation Estates in 1978 when he purchased the property from Ms. Marjorie Gill.   With interest rates sky-rocketing during the late 70s,  the subdivision took its time finding itself.  Once the economy leveled out, lots began to sell and people began to build.  Now, this neighborhood is grown up and well established.   Thirty plus homes on Wheat Street, Cotton Boll Circle, Sugar Lane and Tobacco Drive, as well as the stately homes that front the subdivision on Hawks Road, make up this area.   To help you get a feel for the neighborhood,  I’ve selected a few of the great homes styles here to highlight. 

Colonial Styling

Traditional style-  Here’s an example of a spacious home with Colonial styling.  These traditional homes generally offer bedrooms on the second floor and windows are often alike with many small, square panes.  This home has a twist with a bonus room downstairs between the main part of the home and the garage instead of the usual second story bonus room.  And like many of the homes in Plantation Estates, the exterior is vinyl siding which provides time saved in maintenance compared to traditional painted or stained wood siding. 

Contemporary Highlights

Another Beauty with Contemporary Styling

A variety of styles-    A special set of more modern styled homes sit among their traditional neighbors and shine with their own personality.  The first example is of a wonderfully kept home built in the mid-80s.  Notice the stone facade and the skylights accenting the front entrance.  These features are characteristic of  a more contemporary design known for its combination of exterior materials–stone, wood and/or brick and its trend toward simple lines.  Many of the homes built in this style also feature exposed interior beams and a exterior that blends well with the landscape.  The second home also possesses a more contemporary flair.

Charming Design

It’s the wide open covered front porch that invites you into this unique home in Plantation Estates.  The clean lines and farmstyle accents illustrate a charming updated look to country living. 

Classic Lines

These classic one story homes provide spacious floor plans, built-in garages, side and front gable roof lines and, usually, a set of sliding glass doors or french doors opening onto a back porch or deck.  Here’s a fine example of a traditionally styled home that highlights Plantation Estates. 

Easy to find-  Turn onto Hawks Road off Skyhawk Parkway at University Commons.  Drive to Wheat Street on the right.  University Commons includes Comet Cleaners and Laundry, Hinds Clinic, Extendicare Home Health, Tennessee Quality Homecare & Hospice and Edward D. Jones.  Regency Park Condominiums and Hampton Inn are also located in this area.  The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball and intramural fields are across the highway from Hawks Road.  Restaurants and shopping are located just minutes away.

University Commons

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Here are the Plantation Estates neighborhood stats*:
Current Listings:                 1

Asking Price:                         $144,900

Htd. Square Footage:        2512 sq. ft.

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Current Pending: 0

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Closed Sales (Past Year Nov. 2008-Nov. 2009): 1

Asking Price: $133,500
Sales Price: $125,250
Median Sales Price: $125,250
Average % of List Price to Sales Price: 94%
Average Days on the Market: 87

Free free to join in the conversation and add your thoughts in the comments below.  If you need additional information on Plantation Estates or know of a neighborhood you would like to see highlighted as a Neighborhood of the Week in MartinTNLiving.com, feel free to call me or send me a note. 

*Info.from MLS Data -Reelfoot Regional Association of Realtors 

 Also, a special thanks to April Jones in the County Register of Deeds office for her assistance.

Tucked in the north corner of Martin, Green Hills is a shining example of a variety of styles and comfortable living in our town. There are five diverse streets in the neighborhood: Weldon Drive, N. Virginia Ave., Roma and E. Roma Street, Lake Park Drive and Parish Road.

Cliff Weldon and his wife, Virginia, both former Martin mayors, started the neighborhood in the mid 1960′s with Mr. Weldon naming Weldon Drive after the family name and the streets, Virginia and Roma, after wife and daughter.

Ideal for Neighborhood StrollsThe first home was built on Weldon Drive and development continued on Lake Park Drive, Parish and Roma. Roma is a delightful street for daily exercise because of the tree-lined island in the center separating the homes there. This common area provides privacy and imparts a park-like setting for homeowners. Well-built three bedroom brick homes make up the majority of properties, and neighbors have a full circle to walk around before turning into Weldon Drive or N. Virginia. Parish Road affords a second entrance into the neighborhood and homes there have quick access to the bypass and a thick tree break across the road from their front doors.

A Mix of Styles Homes on Weldon Drive are built on spacious lots and echo several architectural styles. As in many of our neighborhoods in Martin, it took years for the subdivision to fill up and changing housing designs now provide an eclectic feel to the neighborhood.

The newer section of N. Viriginia includes homes built in the 80’s and 90’s and reflect a lean toward vinyl and cedar-sided homes. Medium sized lots provide plenty of room for big backyards and a cul-de-sac promises a quieter and less traveled area.

Wonderful Neighborhood  Extras Tim and I have lived in two homes we built here when our boys were little. I‘ve spent many mornings walking in the neighborhood enjoying the pleasant setting with trees, wide streets and light traffic. A herd of deer startled me one morning walk as I reached the small rise at the intersection of Virginia and Weldon. Never having been that close to so many deer, the sight made me catch my breath and drink in the beauty of the manicured lawn and at least fifteen deer running toward the back of the yard and into the neighboring field.

Our two boys, Nick and Harrison, learned to ride their bicycles on Virginia. I remember letting go of the back of Nick’s bike and watching him sail wobbly, at first, toward the cul-de-sac and then crash because we hadn’t practiced turning yet!  After a few tries, he was riding like a pro.

A Sparkling Pond Another highlight of the neighborhood is the glittering pond on Lake Park Drive that ebbs and flows with the seasons. Feeding the ducks on the pond was always a treat for our then four and five-year-old boys—when they weren’t trying to throw sticks at them. While living in Green Hills, as new homeowners, we landscaped our entire yard by ourselves, and I remember planting my aunt’s daylilly bulbs in our sideyard as an extra feature. I also remember spending a magical Christmas morning playing outdoors when we woke up to a sunny and very snowy landscape. It’s treasured memories like these that make me so fond of this neighborhood.  And, it’s the quality and maintenance of the homes in this neighborhood that make the subdivision a well-kept secret of comfortable living in Martin.

Expect a variety of home styles and prices here. Starter, move-up and luxury all coexist in this small corner of Martin. As always, let me know if you need any additional information. Also, you are so welcomed to add to the discussion on this neighborhood and post your comments below.

Unique Location Green Hills provides homeowners with easy access to the bypass and is just minutes from downtown and other shopping. Located adjacent to the Northtown Business District, its entrances are flanked by the Weakley County Animal Clinic, the Northwest Tennessee Development District office, Century 21 Overton Real Estate, First Choice Auto Body Repair, Martin Self Storage and Weakley County Motors.

To Get There Just drive north from downtown toward Fulton, turn left at the Weakley County Animal Clinic onto Weldon Drive.

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Here are the Green Hills neighborhood stats*:
Current Listings:                 2

Asking Price:                          Range from $109,500 to $262,500
Htd. Square Footage:        Range from 1344 to 3845

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Current Pending: 1
Asking Price: $99,500

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Closed Sales (Past Year Oct. 2008-Oct. 2009): 4
Average Asking Price: $108,625
Average Sales Price: $103,875
Median Sales Price: $104,000
Average % of List Price to Sales Price: 90%
Average Days on the Market: 83

*Info.from MLS Data -Reelfoot Regional Association of Realtors