Franklin Historic District Design Guidelines

EFFECTIVE MAY 30, 2022 85 chapter 3 Placement & 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. • Locate new buildings to be secondary in prominence to the historic structures on the site or in the district. New buildings should not block the view of historic buildings from public viewsheds so that the historic buildings retain their prominence. Building Form • Design the massing and scale of the building to be consistent with historic buildings on the block face. • Align the architectural features of the new building with those of 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.

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