The Historic Zoning Commission (HZC) is composed of nine (9) citizen appointees who represent the discipline of architecture, history or historic preservation, the local planning commission, and the community in general. The mission of the HZC is to preserve and protect Franklin's historic resources through identification, designation, and design review.
When property owners intend to demolish or make exterior changes in material or design to buildings in the Historic Preservation (HP) Overlay, HZC reviews the plans to see whether the requested changes would damage the historic value of the property or the district. Basing its review on adopted design guidelines, the city's zoning ordinance, and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, the HZC reviews and approves any exterior alterations in material or design.
The HZC must review and approve any exterior alterations in both material and design before any project work begins. This includes any exterior work requiring a building permit, such as the following:
additions
alterations of rooflines
demolition of some or all of a structure (including outbuildings)
new construction
fencing
signage
any exterior changes to buildings (primary or accessory), sites, structures, or fences
Once work is approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is issued. A COA is a document approving work on local landmarks or properties in Franklin’s historic districts based on consistency with applicable design guidelines or standards. If you plan to make any changes within the HP overlay, please contact the City of Franklin Preservation Planner at (615) 550.6733 or (615) 550.6737.
The Franklin HZC meets in regular session on the second Monday of each month at 5 PM in the City Hall Boardroom.
All major project proposals within the HP Overlay are strongly encouraged to attend a Design Review Committee (DRC) meeting. DRC has been established to guide applicants through the COA process and answer questions about projects and/or potential projects in relation to the City of Franklin Design Review Guidelines. The DRC consists of three (3) representatives from the HZC and meets once a month. Please contact the Preservation Planner to make an appointment and be scheduled on an agenda.
About the Design Review Committee (DRC):
- The DRC meeting is informal;
- Applicant participation in the Design Review Meeting is strictly voluntary, but highly recommended for complex renovations, additions, or new construction;
- Purpose is to discuss projects and/or potential projects in light of the City of Franklin Historic District Design Guidelines;
- All discussion is for the aid of the applicant only and is non-binding on the DRC or on the
Historic Zoning Commission;
- Any changes made or suggestions taken by the applicant based on discussion from the
DRC is the applicant’s choice and the DRC makes no representation as to whether any changes or suggestions made during the Design Review Meeting will be approved by the
Historic Zoning Commission; and
- The Historic Zoning Commission retains the responsibility and duty to approve all applications.
Please refer to the Historic Zoning Commission and Design Review Committee links below for meeting dates, deadlines, applications materials, and guidelines.
2010 Meetings and Application Deadlines
Application Materials:
Certificate of Appropriateness Application
Certificate of Appropriateness Application for Signage
Guidelines:
Historic District Design Guidelines
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
Franklin Zoning Ordinance
Historic Zoning Commission