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Commission limits signage, approves green awning without columns and permits modern lantern at 94 East Main St.
Summary
Franklin Historic Zoning Commission approved signage with size/placement limits, approved a solid green awning after removing proposed columns, and approved an elongated lantern style for 94 East Main Street despite staff recommendation to deny the lantern style.
The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission on March 10 approved a multipart application for signage, an awning and lighting at 94 East Main Street in the Downtown Franklin Historic District, approving signage with conditions, approving a revised awning plan without columns and approving a non‑traditional lantern fixture over staff objections.
Staff presented a detailed review noting the false‑front building and adjacent frame building comprise a combined storefront at the downtown gateway. For the false‑front façade staff identified four proposed signs (three window signs and one wall sign), observed the proposed wall sign measured 14.75 square feet (exceeding the guidelines’ 9‑square‑foot recommendation) and noted the wall sign was proposed more than 12 feet above grade. Staff said the zoning ordinance permits a larger parapet sign in some cases but the proposal conflicted with the design guidelines’ recommendations. Staff recommended approval of the overall signage and awning subject to conditions, but recommended denial of the proposed front‑facing K‑style lanterns and requested additional specifications for certain fixtures.
Applicant Aubrey Olaski told the commission the team preferred a solid muted green awning with cream piping and that gold‑leaf window lettering was a priority for the business; she said the flag and some secondary window markings were lower priority. The commission split the application into three votes: signage, awning and lighting.
On signage the commission approved staff conditions requiring a maximum of three signs per building façade (the false‑front portion must remove one sign), reducing the wall sign to no more than 9 square feet and locating it no higher than 12 feet from grade, and ensuring window signage does not exceed 15% of each window or grouping and is applied within the building interior.
On the awning the commission approved the solid green fabric awning but amended the motion to remove the four proposed columns and limited the awning depth to the previous span or less; commissioners requested a technical drawing from the awning vendor showing angle, projection and column details to satisfy staff’s structural and design guidance prior to final approval by staff.
On lighting the commission voted to approve the applicant’s chosen fixture (style K) despite staff’s recommendation to deny the proposed elongated K‑style lantern on the front elevation for being stylistically inconsistent with typical historic commercial fixtures. Commissioners in favor said the narrow vertical wall behind the fixture and the fixture’s proportions made it appropriate for this specific location; opponents raised staff concerns about the fixture’s elongation compared with the more traditional K‑1 sample. The motion to approve fixture K carried on the commission floor.
Staff conditions for the overall approval require submittal of awning material samples, a detailed awning drawing addressing angle/projection and structural attachments, final window area calculations for signage conformity and fixture specifications for lighting prior to permits or installation.
