Historic zoning commission OKs demolition at 1309 Adams Street, conditions set for replacement

The Franklin Historic Zoning Commission voted on May 11 to approve demolition of the principal structure at 1309 Adams Street, but made demolition contingent on an approved plan for replacement and a Certificate of Appropriateness for the reconstruction.

Staff told the commission that engineering reports document substantial structural deterioration. "The structural report... details the building's condition and the need to replace 60 to 70% of structural elements," Elizabeth, a staff member, said during the hearing. Staff provided cost comparisons included with the application: rehabilitation was estimated at $857,660 while new construction was estimated at $662,460.

Those figures and the engineer's assessment led staff to recommend approval of demolition with conditions while recommending denial of the proposed new construction as submitted because some elements—most notably a dormer with a low roof pitch and certain new architectural ornamentation—did not meet the reconstruction guidelines. The staff report explains that reconstruction must "maintain the standard of the historic building," and that dormer roofs should have a pitch of at least 3 over 12 and sidewalls set back at least 30 inches from exterior walls.

The applicant, Mister McCreery, presented revised reconstruction plans and defended minor departures from guidelines on the grounds of limited visibility and neighborhood context. "We would... ask for approval of the dormer in its current form," he said, noting vegetation and orientation would make the element minimally visible.

Commissioners framed demolition as a last resort but said the submission met the criteria for demolition under local guidelines. One commissioner moved to approve "the demolition upon the approval of the new construction COA" and the commission approved the motion; the chair concluded the vote by noting, "It's unanimous."

Next steps are procedural: the applicant must secure the required Certificate of Appropriateness and comply with the staff conditions attached to demolition and reconstruction approvals before demolition can begin. The commission also approved the reconstruction plan with conditions but removed approval for the proposed gable decoration and the dormer element, directing the applicant to revise those features to conform with staff guidance.