Franklin workshop weighs raising building heights at 926 Columbia Avenue

Planning commissioners and members of the Board of Aldermen on Aug. 28 heard a conceptual proposal to amend the Envision Franklin plan to allow taller buildings at 926 Columbia Avenue, including raising the Columbia Avenue frontage from two to three stories and permitting an interior building of four stories.

Planning staff told the joint conceptual workshop that the applicant is seeking three changes to the site's special consideration: increase the allowed height along Columbia Avenue from two to three stories; increase the interior site height from three to four stories; and add a three-story allowance along Plaza Street. Staff said it supports only the Plaza Street change and does not find justification for the other two requests.

The proposed changes would alter how the site transitions to the CAO 2 overlay district to the south, staff said. A planning staff presenter described the project's submitted elevations and expressed concern that a varied first-floor grade produces areas where the building would be taller than adjacent CAO 2 limits: "The submitted materials show a varied First Floor heights ... the First Floor height on the northern side of the building is 29 feet and 10 inches ... which is less than 6 feet below the 2 story height maximum ... which has a maximum height of 35 feet," the staff presenter said, noting portions of the structure could reach roughly 53 feet in total height.

Mike Hath…