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BZA approves canopy column variance for Mustard Seed preschool at Christ Community Church
Summary
The BZA approved a request to allow canopy columns without masonry bases at 1215 Hillsborough Road, citing child‑safety concerns and the canopy's limited visibility from the street. The Mustard Seed preschool director said masonry bases pose a hazard for young children and could conflict with DHS licensing requirements.
The Franklin Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance Nov. 6 allowing columns on a proposed canopy at 1215 Hillsborough Road to be constructed without the masonry bases required by the zoning ordinance.
Staff recommended denial overall, finding no unique lot condition or hardship but acknowledged the proposal would not be a public detriment and that the canopy would be minimally visible from the street. Richard Brasher of Sharebilt and Holly Davis, director of Mustard Seed preschool (a Tennessee DHS‑licensed preschool located on the Christ Community Church campus), told the board masonry bases would create a safety hazard for preschoolers who gather at the main entrance each morning and afternoon.
"The brick masonry base on the church columns is extremely rough with sharp uneven edges," Davis said, recounting an incident in which a child struck a masonry column and sustained a forehead injury that required medical attention. She and the applicant argued a non‑masonry detail both complements the church architecture and reduces known hazards; they also cited cost impacts on the preschool if masonry were required.
Board members discussed visibility from the street, the building's campus setting, and child safety. Board member Flushauer moved to approve the variance "because the criteria for granting of variance, in my opinion, has been met," specifically citing location and safety considerations; Board member Beams seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.
The approval applies to the canopy column detail only; other permits and building‑code reviews remain required. Planning staff said they are not aware of prior variances granted for similar preschool canopies without bases, and noted other canopies in the city have masonry bases.
By approving the variance the board allowed the applicant to proceed with the submitted canopy design, subject to the normal permitting process.
