Historic Zoning Commission signs off on City Hall park design, materials and lighting plan

The Historic Zoning Commission approved multiple design elements for the new Franklin City Hall and adjacent City Hall Park during the Aug. 11 meeting, clearing the way for continued coordination of materials and final shop drawings. Design team representatives presented revisions requested at the prior Design Review Committee meeting: squared plaza steps, lower brick planters, antique‑bronze rooftop equipment screening, a soft‑gray metal roof for pediments, three compatible brick types, and a custom aluminum window/door profile (Boyd) tailored to match the appearance of clad‑wood windows while accommodating commercial electrified hardware. The commission reviewed proposed railings and courtyard gates (a design using circular and arched elements with half‑inch vertical members and 3/8‑inch decorative members), a coach‑style exterior sconce for the main entrance, pedestrian‑scaled park lighting, three fountain concepts (including a central basin with patina finish and limestone pedestal), trellis/ arbor elements, paving patterns and furnishings (Franklin bench and coordinated pieces). Commissioners asked for additional material samples and clarified several details: heavier newel/post dimensions on the guardrails should be reviewed in material mockups, the project team agreed to return with final material choices (wrought iron vs. aluminum) and physical samples of the proposed Boyd window framing profile. Staff noted this is a city project and offered conditions language for final approvals. The commission voted to approve the set of elements presented with staff conditions that require submission of final samples and details and continued coordination with staff and DRC for remaining shop drawings. What’s next: design team will provide material samples and revised shop drawings for staff and commission review as conditions of approval; construction may proceed once those details are accepted and building permits are obtained.