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Historic zoning panel backs recommendation for variance at 106 Bridge Street to preserve building elevations
Summary
The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant a variance allowing the three structures at 106 Bridge Street to retain their existing finished floor elevations, finding that raising them would compromise historic character; approval includes staff conditions.
The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission on Jan. 13 voted to recommend that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant a variance to allow the buildings at 106 Bridge Street to retain their current finished floor elevations to preserve historic character.
City staff told the commission the variance request is sought under Section 17.6.5 of the zoning ordinance, which allows variances for repair and rehabilitation of historic structures when the change is the minimum necessary to preserve historic character. Staff reported that meeting the ordinance’s required foundation heights would force substantial raises — about 4 feet for the concrete block building, 5 feet for the Quonset-style building and 9 feet for a rear wood accessory structure — and that those changes would “significantly alter the character-defining features” of the mid-20th-century buildings and could compromise their historic status. Staff recommended a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals, with conditions.
Greg Gamble, who represented the applicant at the meeting, said the applicants plan to return to the commission with restoration plans if the BZA approves the variance. "My name is Greg Gamble, and I'm representing the applicants," Gamble said. He added the team would be back with restoration plans upon approval by the BZA.
Commissioners discussed practical and architectural issues, noting that raising the Quonset-style building by several feet likely would destroy its character and that keeping the existing elevations is the least-damaging option. A motion to recommend approval with staff conditions passed by voice vote; the commission chair announced, "The ayes have it." The record does not list a roll-call tally in the transcript.
Why it matters: The commission concluded that forcing compliance with floodplain foundation-height requirements in place would likely erase key historic features of these buildings in the Downtown Franklin National Register District. The referral now moves to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which has the authority under the zoning ordinance to decide the variance request.
Next steps: If the BZA approves the variance, the applicant said it will return to the Historic Zoning Commission in a few months with restoration plans as part of the building permit and design-review process.
