21 Historic Preservation Plan Among the local preservation organizations, the Heritage Foundation has been especially active in educating residents about preservation issues in Franklin and Williamson County, ranging from local workshops to publications to school history programs. What appear to be less available are local incentive programs such as low-interest loans, grants, and tax incentives. Increasing Growth Pressure, Historic Resources At Risk Projections for continued population growth and demand for housing and jobs will result in development pressure that may be at odds with preserving the sites and settings of Franklin’s historic resources. Over the next twenty years, the population is expected to almost double, increasing from 42,000 to 78,000. The City is likely to expand in size through annexation, taking in land that includes significant historic resources. Rapid growth increases the risk of changes that will erode the special qualities valued by residents and visitors. Despite a legacy of preservation, many of the community’s historic resources face an uncertain future. A report for Franklin Tomorrow warns that Franklin’s historic properties may not survive periods of rapid growth similar to those Franklin is currently experiencing. Moreover, the report observes that, “as the area grows it will be increasingly difficult to physically distinguish the City of Franklin from surrounding jurisdictions.” For a community that takes enormous pride in its distinctive character and preserving its historic resources, this does not bode well. Moreover, according to the preservation report prepared by Thomason and Associates, it is the rural historic resources that are at greatest risk of degradation or destruction. This is not surprising given that new development predominately occurs in the “green fields” beyond existing urban areas where there tend to be fewer development constraints. Areas adjacent to I-65 have experienced the most recent losses of historic resources. There, several properties have been demolished or damaged beyond repair in order to make way for new development. An inventory completed in 1982 identified 37 properties of historic significance within what are now Franklin’s City limits. Of these, seventeen were demolished because they stood in the way of new development. Determining how and where growth should be accommodated appears to be an issue very much in the minds of local residents.
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