Historic commission denies retroactive gutters at 1309 Adams Street, approves in-kind repairs

Franklin Historic Zoning Commission members on Feb. 10 denied retroactive approval of K‑style gutters installed at 1309 Adams Street and approved in‑kind wood repairs and the recently reinstalled front door.

Staff told the commission the house is a contributing frame building in the Adams Street National Register Historic District, circa 1900, and that the guidelines recommend half‑round gutters for buildings dating before the 1930s. The application requested retroactive approval for three categories of work: gutters, the reinstallation of the original front door, and in‑kind repair and replacement of wood trim and framing.

The commission’s denial focused solely on the gutters. Staff member said the installed K‑style gutter with a black finish is “not appropriate for the age of the building” and recommended denial of the retroactive certificate of appropriateness for that element while recommending approval of in‑kind wood repairs. During discussion commissioners noted older photographs showing a K‑style profile had been present in recent years but said the written guidelines call for half‑round gutters on houses from this period. One commissioner suggested a bronze finish would be more flexible for future paint choices; commission members did not specify a final color in the motion and left color guidance to staff when the applicant returns with a compliant gutter profile.

Applicant representative Emily Brown, identified herself as a family member of the owner and said, “So we did replace the door that was originally on the property. So we hope it's good,” referring to the reinstalled front door. After discussion, the commission voted to deny the retroactive approval for the installed gutters and to require replacement with a half‑round style; the commission then approved the in‑kind repairs and the restored door with staff conditions.

The denial means the owner must return with a revised gutter submission showing half‑round gutters (style and finish) for a subsequent review; the commission did not set a specific color in its motion. The in‑kind replacements approved include wood trim and framing described in the application as matching the existing profiles on the building.

Votes at a glance - Deny retroactive COA for K‑style gutters at 1309 Adams Street — outcome: approved (motion recorded; mover/second not specified in the record). The commission directed replacement with half‑round gutters; color to be reviewed by staff on resubmission. - Approve in‑kind replacement of wood materials and acceptance of the reinstalled front door — outcome: approved (motion by Mister Orr; second by Bob).