Plan Commission approves Franklin Street storefront renovation at 219 N. Franklin St.

The Port Washington Plan Commission voted to approve a minor‑review application to update the lower‑level façade of 219 N. Franklin Street, a contributing building in the Port Washington Downtown Historic District. The applicant, Barney Bannon, presented a rendering showing a traditional main‑street storefront with transoms, context‑sensitive doors and a folding overhead door; the second story would remain unchanged.

Staff member Mister Harris told the commission the proposal responds to the downtown historic design guidelines and the downtown plan and recommended approval, noting the design review board suggested a brown/bronze primary color rather than black and asked the applicant to consider more vertical proportions on the overhead door. "This is only applying to the lower level," Mister Harris said during his presentation.

Commissioners offered largely positive feedback. Speaker 1 said the change would make the block "so much nicer" and called the project a "respectful improvement." Speaker 3 and others recommended small refinements such as adding more masonry at the base to break up massing and adjusting the vertical elements on the overhead door.

Commissioner Speaker 5 moved to accept the staff recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The commission’s approval implements the design review board’s recommendations as reflected in staff materials.

The action is a minor‑review approval limited to façade changes on the lower level; any future work that alters other building elements or requires additional permits would be subject to separate review.