Votes at a glance: Franklin Historic Zoning Commission, Nov. 10, 2025

The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission took action on multiple applications at its Nov. 10 meeting, approving several Certificates of Appropriateness, denying a front-yard fence, and deferring items that lacked documentation.

The meeting opened with routine business and the commission approved the October minutes. On substantive items, the commission approved a lighting plan for 110 3rd Avenue North in the Downtown Franklin National Register Historic District after staff recommended approval with conditions; contractor Scott of Radian Outdoor Lighting told commissioners the design uses warm white LEDs (2,700–3,000K) and averages about 2.25 foot-candles across the property.

At 936 Ferris Street the commission approved replacement of a nonhistoric aggregate concrete walkway with brick pavers and staff conditions, but deferred a request to retroactively accept a herringbone porch landing and side porch details until the Dec. 8 voting meeting so applicants can supply close-up photos and information about substrate damage if brick is removed.

The commission voted to approve a proposed brick arched opening with capstone detailing at 900 Fair Street despite staff’s recommendation for denial. Applicant Steve Scott argued the arch’s scale and materials are compatible with neighborhood examples; several commissioners said the house has been extensively modified and the arch would better tell the structure’s history.

On 121 Miles Manor Court the commission deferred consideration of proposed arched entrances and the retroactive roof alteration to Dec. 8 for additional documentation and potential DRC review.

At 713 Glass Lane the commission approved replacement porch columns and step widening but deferred decisions on the proposed Indiana limestone porch surface and Chippendale-style railings to allow alternative material and design proposals at the Dec. 8 meeting.

For 717 Glass Lane the commission approved a series of site alterations and front porch decking replacement, denied a proposed 6-foot front-yard screening fence based on front-yard fencing guidelines, and deferred a proposed metal roof painting pending material samples and application details.

The commission approved alterations and a 586-square-foot addition to a nonhistoric accessory structure at 1008 Fair Street with staff conditions and asked staff to follow up on garage-door pattern and light details.

The meeting closed after staff reminders about upcoming preservation workshops and the commission’s adjournment.

Votes and formal actions taken (as recorded in the meeting transcript): - Approval: October minutes (motion carried; vote recorded as ayes). - Approval: Lighting at 110 3rd Ave N (approved with staff conditions). - Approval: Walkway replacement at 936 Ferris St (approved with staff conditions); deferral of front porch landing and patio to Dec. 8. - Approval: Alteration (arched opening) at 900 Fair St (approved with staff conditions; vote carried despite staff recommendation for denial). - Deferral: 121 Miles Manor Ct (entrance alteration denied in staff report; retroactive roofing deferred to Dec. 8). - Approval: Porch columns and step widening at 713 Glass Ln; deferral of limestone porch/walkway and railings to Dec. 8. - Approval: Site alterations and porch decking replacement at 717 Glass Ln; denial of front-yard screening fence; deferral of roof painting to Dec. 8. - Approval: Alterations and addition to accessory structure at 1008 Fair St (approved with staff conditions). - Adjournment: meeting adjourned following a motion and second.

Next steps: Items deferred to the Dec. 8 voting meeting will return with requested photos, material samples, or DRC input; staff encouraged applicants to contact planning staff by midnight on the night before any DRC meeting if they want inclusion on that agenda.