GOAL 2 Strengthen preservation education and training. RECOMMENDATIONS: Strengthen training and educational opportunities for the Historic Zoning Commission. HZC members are recognized experts who provide essential guidance on preservation matters, but there is a need for a more consistent, structured education framework. The CLG program requires only one HZC member to attend an annual training. The City provides an annual training for the full HZC, but additional education opportunities on historic preservation and best practices should be pursued annually. Opportunities exist through the CLG, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, the American Planning Association, and other preservation-related conferences and workshops. Strengthen preservation education in the community. The City and preservation organizations should strengthen preservation education by bringing in preservation experts to speak to the community about preservation best practices and successes in peer communities. Incorporating nationally recognized best practices will further strengthen support for preservation with a focus grounded in sound, forward thinking preservation principles. Additionally, local education about the Historic Preservation Overlay and the Certificate of Appropriateness process should be geared towards historic property owners and tenants. Educational materials should be developed, such as new homeowner videos and new tenant guides, which could be promoted through the City’s website and social media. In addition, the City website should undergo a thorough review and comprehensive update to ensure that information about preservation and history is more comprehensive and easily accessible. Facilitate coordination across City departments on historic preservation projects. Franklin should strengthen a unified approach to code interpretation, project review, and property owner guidance so that safety, preservation, and regulatory requirements align. Clearer internal protocols, consistent cross department communication, and shared guidance will reduce confusion, streamline timelines, and support safer, preservation focused outcomes. Advance historic preservationrelated projects through grant writing and grant management. The City should consider hiring a professional grant writer to advance historic preservation projects. These could encompass historic sites, historic structure rehabilitation, cemeteries, battlefields, interpretive signage, and other preservation-related projects. Provide specialized training for the use of historic tax credit programs. Historic tax credits offer major support for rehabilitating and reusing historic properties, but the programs are not widely utilized in Franklin. Improving staff knowledge of available federal and state credits— including eligibility, application steps, and how these incentives align with local preservation goals—will help the City better guide applicants and encourage preservation focused investment. THEME: PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION 161
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY1Mzc2