Commission approves partial demolition and accessory structure at 212 Lewisburg Avenue, denies principal addition

The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission on June 9 approved the partial demolition of a non‑historic screened porch and the construction of a new accessory structure at 212 Lewisburg Avenue, in the Lewisburg Avenue Historic District, but denied the applicant’s proposed addition to the principal log building citing scale and height concerns.

Staff explained that the principal building is a circa‑1930 full log structure with few remaining examples of that construction type. The application requested removal of a roughly 295‑square‑foot non‑historic screened porch (previously approved) and proposed a 995‑square‑foot rear addition that would total 49.9% of the historic footprint. Staff recommended denial of the addition because, although the massing and form were generally compatible, the addition’s ridge height had only been reduced by four inches and did not read as visually subordinate to the historic building.

Applicant representative Don Burke clarified technical dormer and window details, arguing that some staff measurements misunderstood dormer placement and that certain windows are double‑hung in appearance. Burke also noted that dormer pitches could match the existing 2:12 pitch to limit headroom impacts. The commission discussed dormer pitch, window types, and the proposed stone chimney; some commissioners preferred a brick chimney for stylistic consistency.

On separate motions the commission approved the partial demolition and the accessory structure (garage) with staff conditions but denied the addition to the principal building based on staff’s guidelines about subordinating additions in height and massing. Commissioners invited the applicant to return to the Design Review Committee with revised plans addressing dormer pitch, the visual height of the addition and the chimney material.