Franklin Historic District Design Guidelines

DRAFT FRANKLIN HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES 12 introduction  Project Considerations Exterior alterations should not impair the historic integrity of buildings, site features, or the historic districts in general. A property’s architectural style and design are defined by its main facades that face the public viewsheds. The variety of architectural styles represented within the individual historic districts, and in the HPO in general, help create a particular character and sense of place for Franklin. Historically, rear facades and backyards have served as more private spaces, where additional porches, building additions, and accessory structures were built where that they were not readily visible to the public. As such, visibility is an important consideration throughout the Guidelines. The visibility of front, side, and rear facades differ from property to property, depending on factors such as location within a block, setbacks, and a building’s overall form. Because of this, certain alterations that may be appropriate on one particular site may not be appropriate for another site. The preservation of historic buildings and careful consideration of alterations to historic buildings are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the historic district. Another component of historic district integrity is ensuring that new development is compatible with the historic resources within it. New buildings should should reflect the key characteristics of the historic district in which they are proposed. New buildings should be designed to be secondary in prominence to the historic structures in the district. New development should not block the view of historic buildings from public viewsheds in order for the historic buildings to retain their prominence.