Commission approves cobblestone driveway accents for new William Campbell homes; front-entry walkways deferred

The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission on Sept. 8 approved cobblestone driveway accents and rear-yard fencing for multiple Magnolia Hall lots on William Campbell Court but removed front-entry walkways from approval and deferred them for further documentation.

Staff reported the application covered driveway and walkway materials, rear-yard fencing and gates for lots 2–6. Staff recommended denial of full cobblestone driveways (recommending historically typical durable materials such as gravel, concrete, brick or asphalt) but recommended approval of walkway material and rear-yard fencing. Commissioners discussed alternatives and ultimately approved the cobblestone accents and driveway details, finding the cobblestone banding appropriate historic material, while agreeing the front-entry walkways (from sidewalk to house) required more detailed drawings and house-specific material matches.

Jason Goddard said the intent was to use Belgian cobbles laid in a running-bond pattern as accents down the driveway sides and as aprons at the street and gate locations. He said the cobbles are natural stone, roughly 4-by-8 inches (approximate), and would be laid in a consistent pattern. Commissioners asked for clarification on brick step material and how it would be matched house-by-house. To address those concerns, the commission amended the motion to remove the walkways from the approval and voted to defer the walkways to the Oct. 13 voting meeting so the applicant could provide front elevations, material samples and pattern drawings for the walkways and steps.

The commission approved the remainder of the application with staff conditions; walkways from sidewalk to house will be resubmitted with samples and details that tie each walkway and step material to its corresponding house.