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Owners of historic 228 Franklin Road propose front walk, piers, gate and accessibility ramp; staff flags limestone steps and materials rules
Summary
The design team for 228 Franklin Road proposed restoring a clear front walkway to the National Register‑listed Alpheus Truitt House, adding mortared stone piers, screening a new sports court and building a rear wheelchair ramp, while staff cautioned that guidelines normally favor preserving or matching historic concrete steps unless photography supports stone replacement.
Owners Amanda and Toby McKeon and their design team presented a multi‑element plan for the Alpheus Truitt House at 228 Franklin Road, a National Register‑listed property, that would reopen the front façade, add stone gate piers, create a clearer walkway to the front door, provide a new rear accessibility ramp and site a small sports court screened by landscaping.
Landscape architect Ben Berry (Kaiser Butte) told the committee the property’s primary access has historically been from Liberty Pike and recent development cut into the house’s frontage. “We want to take this opportunity to sort of refresh how the house addresses Franklin Road,” he said, describing a proposed low hedge, a stepped walkway to the front door, and mortared stone piers to frame the drive approach.
Staff planner Emily reviewed the district’s guidelines and told the committee the National Register lists the two‑story Greek‑influenced Alpheus Truitt House (c.1846) and that the guidelines generally recommend preserving and repairing original concrete, brick or wooden stairs. “Therefore, the guidelines do not support changing the material to limestone unless there are photographic evidence for that,” she said, noting the record should show a historic precedent before accepting a material change for visible front steps.
The design team told the committee the existing curb and sidewalk work done by the state (TDOT) created a 12‑inch concrete curb and they proposed limestone steps set into the grade so the steps “look as if they’ve been there and settle more naturally” and minimize excavation that could disturb buried utilities and mature roots. The team also described a rear ramp to improve wheelchair access, hidden sports‑court lighting with dark‑sky‑compliant fixtures and a wooden 4‑board fence to be mostly concealed behind evergreen screening.
Commissioners praised the concept to reopen the front approach and to use hedging to screen utilities; several members said limestone steps could be appropriate if historical evidence backs that choice. Commissioner Brian said the proposals “will open up the front of the house” and Commissioner Madeline complimented the landscape plan and suggested the project “keep the magnolias because they frame the house so beautifully.”
Staff asked the applicants to provide photographic or historic documentation if they want the Commission to approve limestone steps rather than repairing or matching existing concrete. The committee did not take a formal vote and encouraged the applicants to return with material samples, a clarified detail for the stone piers and a short documentation packet showing the historic front entry condition if they want the Commission to accept limestone at the public face of the house.
