Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Large Development Factory Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission splits decisions on Factory redevelopment: pavilion and 2015 addition approved; parking structure and hotel deferred
Summary
The Historic Zoning Commission approved demolition of the Farmers’ Market pavilion and the 2015 addition to Building 10 at the Factory campus, approved revised demolition terms for Building 9 with conditions, and deferred votes on a new parking structure, refuse enclosures and a new hotel to June 9 for more materials and technical details.
The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission on May 12 moved forward on portions of the Factory at 230 Franklin Road redevelopment while deferring other major elements for more technical details and material samples.
Staff said the development plan and rezoning had already received a favorable preliminary recommendation and Board of Mayor and Aldermen approval; the current Certificate of Appropriateness review covered site-level elements including demolition, a proposed parking structure, refuse enclosures and a new hotel. Emily, the city staff presenter, recommended approval of demolition of the Farmers’ Market pavilion (circa 2006) and removal of the circa-2015 nonhistoric additions to Building 10, and recommended deferral of the parking structure, refuse enclosures and hotel pending additional information on materials, elevations, window and door selections, and dimensional information.
Representing the applicant, Benton Smothers and architect Gina Emmanuel explained design decisions: they provided two material options for the parking structure (traditional brick or a thin-set brick panel with concrete banding), said the design evolved in response to Design Review Committee feedback, and proposed conditions such as final material samples to be approved by staff. Architect Gina Emmanuel described the thin-brick panel option as the same brick material with different installation methods and said the option could reduce visible joint regularity. Reid Talley, speaking for the development team, said Building 9 had structural deterioration per engineer reports and described plans to retain part of the façade and replace deteriorated fabric in kind if necessary.
On the Farmers’ Market pavilion and removal of the 2015 addition to Building 10, the commission approved staff’s recommendation. On Building 9, commissioners voted to approve demolition as proposed but added an amendment requiring that any in-kind replacement for the portion of the facade being retained return to staff for approval. The commission deferred the parking structure application to the June 9 meeting for additional elevations, materials and details, and deferred refuse enclosures and the hotel to June 9 for material samples, dimensions, screening of rooftop mechanical equipment and final window and door selections. Commissioners emphasized the need for brick/mortar samples, photometric lighting plans, and clearer elevations aligning cornices and floor-to-floor heights with the adjacent historic buildings.
Commissioners and applicants agreed to continue Design Review Committee review before the June voting meeting and to provide more detailed shop drawings and material samples to staff prior to the next hearing.
