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Neighbors raise safety and preservation concerns as Brookville Public Library seeks conditional use for history center
Summary
The Brookville Public Library presented a plan to convert a residence at 912 Main Street into a local history center with nine rear parking spaces and an accessible entry; neighbors cited alley turning safety and potential damage to a historic barn, and the planning board continued the hearing until the library obtains Historic Preservation Commission and town council review.
The Brookville Public Library asked Franklin County planning officials to allow the conversion of a single‑family house at 912 Main Street into a local history center, presenting a modest renovation plan and nine off‑street parking spaces behind the building.
Architect Ryan Ali told the Area Planning Commission the project would preserve the building’s Main Street façade while adding an accessible rear entry, a concrete ramp and nine asphalt parking spaces in the rear yard. Ali said the parking calculation follows section 80.08.06A of the Franklin County Zoning and Subdivision Control Code — one space per staff member at peak plus one space for every three patrons, with an additional handicap stall — and that lighting would be directed inward and specified to limit light spill into neighboring yards.
Multiple nearby residents told the commission they were not provided printed renderings before the meeting and raised safety and preservation concerns. Property owner Jeff Tebby asked whether vehicular access would be from the rear alley and said the angle to enter the proposed spaces would make it difficult for larger vehicles to turn without risking damage to his garage. Janet Tbby, who said she formerly served on the local Historic Preservation Commission, said a historic barn close to the alley sits within a foot or two of the property line and that vehicles backing out of the proposed spaces could strike that structure.
"We're very much opposed to this right here," Janet Tbby said, noting the barn is on the historic register and urging more green space rather than extensive blacktop. Several neighbors referenced prior incidents of damage to nearby historic buildings and asked the commission to require a sensitive solution.
Susan Knight, the library director, said the patron estimate used in the parking calculation represents a maximum potential and that the design prioritizes ADA access. "We want to have maximum potential rather than minimum," Knight said, adding that Main Street parking is unsafe for some patrons and the rear approach preserves the limestone curb and Front Street appearance.
Commissioners discussed alternatives — reducing or reconfiguring angled spaces, moving some stalls to the rear, or making two designated close‑in ADA spaces — and pressed the applicant to coordinate with Indiana Landmarks and the town’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Legal counsel advised that the commission could condition a county approval on subsequent HPC and town council action.
Outcome: the board voted to continue the conditional‑use hearing to the next meeting to allow the applicant to secure HPC and town council review and return with refined drawings and parking options. The motion was seconded and carried.
