Historic commission denies replacement of second-floor windows at 438 Main Street; staff recommended repair

The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission on May 12 denied a certificate of appropriateness to replace 16 second-floor windows at 438 Main Street, a contributing building in the Downtown Franklin National Register Historic District, after staff concluded the application did not meet guidelines that favor repair and preservation of historic windows.

Emily, a city planning staff member, told the commission the front windows proposed for replacement did not display the wavy historic glass seen in the building’s rear windows and that the packet did not demonstrate that the windows were beyond repair. Staff recommended denial and said exterior repairs and additional documentation were needed before replacement would be appropriate.

Victoria Baluk, a representative from Pella Windows, said Pella inspected the windows and reported rot and active leaking and recommended replica Pella Reserve traditional windows with matching brick mold and exterior/ interior preparation. Julie Davis, who has worked with the property manager for decades, and property manager Karen Cochran described repeated water infiltration tied to prior mortar and glazed-brick deterioration and said prior masonry and parapet work revealed more extensive interior and sill damage than anticipated.

Commissioners discussed whether the visible deterioration was limited to interior trim and sills or to the sash and frame, and whether insulating glass or prior retrofit work complicated the assessment. Several commissioners urged the applicant to pursue repair-first approaches and seek assistance from the Tennessee Historical Commission and contractors experienced in historic window repair. After a failed motion to defer for more exterior documentation, the commission voted to deny the replacement application in accordance with staff’s recommendation and encouraged the applicant to return with more evidence of repair alternatives and detailed exterior condition documentation.

Commissioners said staff would follow up with resources and invited the applicant to return to the Design Review Committee for more detailed review before resubmission.