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Design review committee raises concerns about scale, materials and setbacks for new house at 246 Miles Manor Court
Summary
The Franklin Design Review Committee questioned the scale, massing and detailing of a revised design for a new house at 246 Miles Manor Court, urging the applicant to simplify ornamentation, break up the rear mass and produce street‑level renderings before returning for further review.
The Franklin Design Review Committee on the evening of the March meeting scrutinized a revised design for a new single‑family house at 246 Miles Manor Court, telling the applicant the project still needs work to settle into the historic neighborhood.
The applicant, Mark Spivey, presented a revised design that retains the previously approved placement and many of the dimensional constraints but adds Craftsman‑style detailing. Staff planner Elizabeth said the item had previously been deferred and that the new plans include additional detailing and architectural features while the placement, size and height had not changed.
Committee members repeatedly told the applicant the house’s long side facing Winslow Road and the massing of the back addition make it appear oversized for its setting. Commissioner Mary said the house “doesn’t settle in” and suggested the rear massing be stepped back to better align with neighboring front facades. Commissioner Kathy urged the applicant to “pull back on some of those details” and simplify heavy ornamentation such as oversized porch columns and excessive shingle gable treatments. Commissioner Brian recommended testing how different materials affect perceived massing and asked the applicant to show the house in street context renderings so the committee can judge whether the scale fits adjacent historic fabric.
Spivey said the lot’s irregular width, topography and required setbacks constrained options and that the design team had sought to balance interior program needs with exterior scale. “We’re restricted to a 25, 20 foot setback there on the side,” he told the committee, adding the project may need a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals to meet all program goals.
Committee feedback focused on three changes the applicant should pursue before the next submission: 1) reduce the visual bulk facing Winslow Road by stepping or breaking the rear mass, 2) simplify porch and gable detailing (lose some of the applied brackets, heavy column profiles and show more traditional column proportions), and 3) produce streetscape and photoreal renderings showing the house next to 109 and 111 Winslow and from the pedestrian view on Miles Manor.
The committee and staff also discussed materials. Staff said the project should demonstrate how proposed brick, shake and metal accents will read next to nearby historic buildings and recommended providing actual full‑size material samples and measured elevations for comparison.
The applicant did not receive a formal vote and was instructed to return with revised drawings, a clearer explanation of the site’s constraints, and context renderings showing the house in the streetscape.
The DRC also encouraged the applicant to pre‑consult with the Board of Zoning Appeals about any setback variances needed before the next DRC submittal.
