After neighbor support and debate over guidelines, Dublin ARB approves porch and rear shed at 85 Franklin Street

The Dublin Architectural Review Board voted to approve both a separate rear shed and a new front porch addition at 85 Franklin Street on July 23, granting the shed approval as recommended by staff and approving the porch with specific dimensional and design conditions.

Staff explained the property sits in the historic-residential 'background' area and described guidelines prioritizing consistent building location, form and subordinate porch massing. Staff recommended disapproval of the porch as submitted but recommended approval of the shed. The applicant’s architect, Heidi Bolliard of Simplified Living Architecture, and homeowner Aaron Frank said they revised the design to address earlier comments and emphasized the porch’s role in providing solar shading and neighborhood engagement.

Multiple neighbors and commenters supported the porch during public comment, arguing it would encourage community interaction and had been designed to be respectful of the district. “It promotes community,” neighbor Michael Strang said, adding he viewed the porch as a valuable addition to neighborhood life.

Board members questioned whether the porch projection and separate roof form conflicted with the guideline intent to keep porches contained under existing roof forms; they also discussed column spacing, roof pitch, and whether a standing‑seam or shingled porch roof was preferable. After discussion the board moved to approve the separate rear shed per staff recommendation, and then approved the front porch with a motion that specified overall dimensions (approximately 7 feet deep by 29 feet 10½ inches wide) and allowed either four or six columns according to final design.

Staff will require updated construction drawings showing window and door details, material samples (including paint chips), column details and consistent notes across application materials before issuance of a building permit.