35 Historic Preservation Plan important historic sites—downtown Franklin, Carter House, and Winstead Hill) and 5th Avenue (between N. Margin Street and the historic Toussaint L’Overture Cemetery) are characterized by a physical appearance that erodes the historic context. More and more, communities that seek to retain their identity and compete for investment take steps to enhance the appearance of gateways and important thoroughfares. Doing so takes a combination of public and private actions. There are regulatory approaches that can lead to better site planning, building and sign design, and landscaping for new development. What about existing development? Some communities have made significant headway through voluntary actions guided by a broadly supported vision and plan. Along the Midlothian Turnpike west of Richmond, Virginia, for instance, a well-developed landscape and beautification plan sparked citizen activists and land owners to engage in voluntary efforts that over a five-year period have led to dramatic improvements. Similarly, along Williamson Road in Roanoke, Virginia, the city offered to fund public improvements at key eyesore intersections if private owners pitched in on their properties. Two years later, six of the corridor’s worst concentrations of ‘road rash’ had been transformed. The City has commissioned a gateways and corridors study, which is intended to lead to standards. In addition, the Heritage Foundation commissioned designed standards for Columbia Avenue. It is recommended that the City convene business and civic groups and explore the collaboration necessary to implement a gateways and corridors enhancement program. Enhancing Franklin’s gateways and linkages between sites that are an important part of the community’s identity could go a long way toward stemming the erosion of historic character now taking place along the important entrance corridors. Goal 3: Maintain an Updated and Accessible Inventory of Franklin’s History Resources Opportunities for preservation vs. development conflicts increase when there is uncertainty. Early knowledge is important. The following strategies seek to ensure that historic resources are identified and that this information is readily accessible to the public. Update the Historic Resources Inventory The City of Franklin needs to maintain an accurate and easily accessible inventory of the City’s historic resources, including sites and landscapes. Through the on-going efforts of individuals and local preservation organizations, many of the City’s historic resources have been identified and nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. To date, the Heritage Foundation has taken the lead in maintaining and updating an inventory of historic resources. However, this is more typically a role for local Strategies to Maintain an Updated and A ed and Accessible Inventory of Franklin’s Historic Resources Update the Historic Resources Inventory Create a digital inventory Identify and nominate historic landscapes Periodically evaluate local historic district overlay zone boundaries
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