Franklin Zoning Ordinance

18 276 Chapter Farm-Field Boundary HISTORIC RESOURCES Franklin Zoning Ordinance Effective December 8, 2020 18.4 Farm-Field Boundary 18.4.1 Description A. The farm-field boundary replicates the tree-lined property boundaries historically prevalent throughout the County, which generally evolved as leftover vegetation that grew along the borders of agricultural fields. This is accomplished by providing a historically based fence or wall and deciduous and cedar trees planted linearly along common boundary between the historic resource and the development or redevelopment. B. The historic resource, its setting, and surrounding site features are preserved. The farm-field boundary provides modest separation between the development or redevelopment and the historic resource. C. Because buildings within the development or redevelopment remain in view of the historic resource, they are designed to be similar in scale and architectural character with the historic building. 18.4.2 Location A. In cases where the developing property is adjacent to the property containing the historic resource, the farm-field boundary shall be located along the periphery of the developing property, unless an alternate location provides a superior amount of buffering. B. In cases where new development is proposed on the same property as the historic resource, the farm-field boundary shall be located as far from the historic resource as is practicable given the context of the site and any topographic or environmental considerations. 18.4.3 Standards A. Site features that emphasize the prominence of a historic resource shall be preserved within the spatial setting of the historic resource. Such features include topography, mature vegetation, streams, and historic walls and fences. B. Farm-field boundaries shall have a minimum width of 30 feet. Development o n lots containing or adjacent to a National Historic Landmark shall provide a minimum width of 50 feet. C. Farm-field boundaries shall be linear in form and shall include a historically-based fence or wall along the length of the boundary. Acceptable types include rail fences, four-board horse fences, or dry- stacked stone walls consistent in design and stone type with historic antecedents found in the County. D. Planting materials shall: 1. Be spaced in an informal, irregular manner along the fence or wall; and 2. Be dominated by deciduous trees, although native evergreens, such as cedars, may be included for diversity