Franklin Historic District Design Guidelines

DRAFT FRANKLIN HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES 85 chapter 3 Placement and Orientation • Place new commercial buildings to reflect the front setbacks established by historic buildings on the same block face [graphic]. If a setback is not established by historic buildings on the same block face, then historic buildings on the opposite block face should be considered. • Defer to the setback of the nearest adjacent historic building for sites located between two areas with distinctive character, such as between commercial and residential buildings. For larger redevelopment areas, design for a transition in setbacks where there are two different adjacent historic building setbacks on either side of the new buildings. • Orient new commercial buildings to the street in a similar pattern to that of nearby historic buildings. • Space new buildings according to the historic precedent established on the same block face. If a side yard setback is not established by historic buildings on the same block face, the opposite block face should be considered. Building Form • Design the massing and scale of new commercial buildings to be consistent with historic buildings on the block face. • Align the new building’s architectural features with nearby historic buildings, including floor-to-ceiling heights, cornice alignment, window and door heights, and foundations. • Respect the streetscape character by creating compatible patterns and rhythms of architectural features along the street. • Reinforce the appearance and rhythm of historic horizontal patterns by maintaining a distinction between the street level and upper floor facades on buildings of two or more stories. • Reinforce the appearance and rhythm of historic vertical divisions to maintain consistent facade widths. • When there is damage following a natural hazard, retain and preserve freestanding facade walls which may be left and maintain the original design and appearance of the building. • Maintain traditional rhythm and spacing patterns created by the massing of historic buildings along the street. • New commercial construction in this context should be sensitive to rear- adjacent historic residential structures.