Historic Zoning Commission approves demolition at 234 4th Avenue North and moves forward on major downtown projects

The Franklin City Historic Zoning Commission on May 20 approved a series of downtown design decisions, including the demolition of an accessory structure at 234 4th Avenue North and the commission’s conditional approval of a substantial addition at the same address.

Staff had recommended denying demolition of the accessory structure on 234 4th Avenue North, saying demolition should be permitted only if one of several narrow criteria is met. Greg Gamble of Kimley Horn, representing the property owners, argued the building had lost architectural integrity, was noncontributing and presented a liability in the floodplain. After an initial motion to deny demolition failed, the commission approved demolition, with several members citing the building’s alterations over time, its floodplain location and lack of historic significance.

The commission then considered an addition to the principal building at 234 4th Avenue North. Owner Daniel Kiedis and architect Brandon Priddy told commissioners the site’s floodplain constraints and a small existing house on a large lot made a larger rear addition the most workable solution; they said the design would minimize visibility from the street. Commissioners adopted an amendment requiring the stoop cover to read as a separate element (not connected to the roof) and then approved the addition with staff conditions, including further review of details.

The meeting’s largest single project, the adaptive‑reuse proposal for the Old Ice House at 251 2nd Avenue South, also advanced. Staff recommended approval of partial demolition (removing later nonhistoric overbuilds), a set of alterations to restore historic details, and a subordinate two‑story brick addition. Architect Brandon Priddy described the scheme as an adaptive reuse for a hotel, requested a life‑safety opening in a brick elevation and asked for limited flexibility on CMU maintenance finishes. Commissioners approved partial demolition and the proposed alterations with conditions (including documentation and reuse of historic materials where feasible), required that replacement window profiles be submitted to staff, and directed that the rooftop guardrail be designed to read more like a parapet. The commission debated and rejected an amendment that would have allowed broader painting of the CMU masonry; the final package passed with conditions addressing painting, chimney detailing and screening of mechanicals.

Separately, the commission split a storefront application for 335 Main Street into multiple votes. Commissioners voted to deny the applicant’s request to remove the left‑side storefront door—citing guidelines that preserve separate storefront entries and the appearance of two buildings—denied proposed shutters for the upper story, and denied permanent planter boxes shown in the renderings. The commission approved lighting and signage for the same property with staff conditions, including a requirement that the applicant provide a patinaed finish sample for staff review before proceeding.

Other items on the agenda carried largely on staff recommendations: a driveway material change at 717 Glass Lane (approved with conditions), a front‑yard picket fence at 234 4th Avenue South (approved with conditions and direction to vary picket styles), an awning and permanent cafe barrier at 412 Main Street (approved with conditions), a small accessory structure and associated pool/driveway at 109 Everbright Avenue (minor accessory approved; larger accessory deferred pending variance), and multiple small plan changes at historic residences across town.

The commission’s approvals are subject to the standard condition set and any required permitting or variance processes under the city’s zoning ordinance. Projects that required additional details were either conditioned to return to staff for approval of profiles and finishes or to return to the Historic Zoning Commission/DRC for subsequent Certificate of Appropriateness reviews.

Votes at a glance: minutes and routine items—approved; 717 Glass Lane driveway—approved with conditions; 234 4th Ave S picket fence—approved with conditions; 412 Main Street awning/signage/barrier—approved with conditions; Hayes House walkway and commemorative panels—approved with conditions; 1309 Adams window wells/basement door—approved with conditions; 1010 Fair Street package including chimney amendment—approved with conditions; 335 Main Street storefront removal—denied; 335 Main Street shutters—denied; 335 Main Street planter boxes—denied; 335 Main Street lighting/signage—approved with conditions; 109 Everbright small accessory & pool—approved, larger accessory deferred; 234 4th Ave N accessory demolition—approved; 234 4th Ave N principal addition—approved with amendment and conditions; Old Ice House partial demolition/alterations/addition—approved with conditions.

The commission closed the meeting after a short recess and several final procedural announcements. Projects that were approved with conditions must satisfy staff review items and applicable zoning requirements, and some elements (notably signage, guardrail treatment and certain finish samples) will return to staff or the commission for final sign‑off.