[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6178836,"mediaKeyId","5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0","parentId",5189044,"title","Board denies three variances for 417 Forest Street, citing self‑created violations and neighborhood impacts","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1913000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0&start=1913&end=1913","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0/thumbnail_1913000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6178836/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Board-denies-three-variances-for-417-Forest-Street-citing-selfcreated-violations-and-neighborhood-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178836-653df4b5a16a0e668749543f65e9478b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179376&Signature=f2Yhe7y6ZkhDSTeogZ2K9oQ2pUMyIL6LPupWyPM0atT5dt5fHlfz32IMK-P7JSq~8Zjxtuvzpxk77EPkjRroREGE1k3Y74Wr0z3QK0HUfeV8HyEWdqaOazXY3RizmDFdiHd2DG1QlOrDWAjQDsyfK5zCTFy~f2YGqwb1oyKE1EIHlGNBhymUB3ZnWgQyvR8XOz5MaNf9wtUm8Tb-gqfmvweMXxyZg1u~1icE6xhq-ETLeNOWbbONOv1SFi6-bMTDLg402TJGZgxm~XCWID1bch7mvL7cjlUIKHedmFmKo4dlByvrgZ6TrftY0D-8VUIAwRiKJNHr7T-4XiSL9aze8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin City, TN","date","2025-07-04T12:10:37Z","article","The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals on July 3 denied three variance requests for the property at 417 Forest Street, rejecting requests to allow (1) a 2-foot-6-inch encroachment into a required seven-foot side setback for the principal building, (2) a 2-foot-6-inch encroachment into a required five-foot side setback for an appurtenance on an accessory structure, and (3) a reduction of the lot’s required Landscape Surface Area (LSA) to 26 percent from the R4 requirement of 40 percent.

Staff described a complicated compliance history in which the house, accessory structure and paved areas built in 2022 did not match the building permit approved in November 2022. Inspections followed, a red sign was posted in September 2024 noting no certificate of occupancy, and the property later entered foreclosure. The bank sold the property; the current owner, Brian Biglin, purchased it in March 2025 and later asked for variances to address the zoning discrepancies.

Staff told the board the principal house sits about 4 feet 8 inches from the east side lot line (required minimum: seven feet), leaving a gap of approximately 6.5 feet between the two adjacent houses. The patio attached to the accessory structure is about 2.5 feet from the side lot line (required minimum: five feet), and the lot’s calculated LSA is 26 percent, short of the 40 percent requirement. Staff said the approved building permit showed an approximately 2,000-square-foot house and permeable pavers in areas that were later installed as impervious concrete, and staff concluded the deviations from the approved plans were self‑imposed by the prior builder rather than caused by the lot’s physical condition.

Shanna McCoy, the City of Franklin zoning and floodplain administrator (named in staff timeline), informed the record that a certificate of occupancy would not be issued until a variance is granted or the structure is moved or demolished and rebuilt; she advised replacement of impervious paving with pervious material to meet LSA requirements. Staff recommended denial of all three variance requests because, in staff’s analysis, none of the three variance criteria under the zoning ordinance were met: the conditions were not extraordinary; the hardship was self‑imposed; and granting the variances would impair the intent of the ordinance, including buffer distance and stormwater/runoff protections.

Owner Brian Biglin told the board he bought the property at foreclosure and said the bank had not disclosed the zoning issues. Biglin said his post‑purchase research showed no public record that would have revealed the encroachments, that a red tag previously posted had been removed, and that he had purchased adjacent lots as an “insurance policy.” He told the board demolishing and rebuilding would cost an estimated $1,084,000. Biglin asked the board to consider that the violations were not caused by him.

Neighbors spoke in opposition. Juliet Lydell (427 Forest Street) and others raised concerns about increased impervious surface, future drainage impacts, and precedent for others to build closer to lot lines. Mike Derryberry, a Forest Street homeowner, argued for consistent enforcement across the neighborhood.

Board member Scales moved to deny all three variance requests, with Board member Smith seconding. In deliberations members repeatedly cited the record that the violations were self‑created by earlier construction and expressed concern for precedent, neighbor buffer space and stormwater runoff. The motion to deny carried unanimously: Scales — deny; Langley — deny; Smith — deny; Flushauer — deny.

The board’s denial leaves the owner with several options discussed at the hearing: (a) remove or alter the encroaching elements to comply with required setbacks and LSA, (b) consolidate adjacent lots (which staff said could resolve some setbacks but would require removing existing homes on consolidated lots if they exist), or (c) seek other remedial building- or land-use actions. Staff advised that replacement of impervious surfaces with pervious materials and corrections to building placement or lot consolidation would be the typical routes to bring the property into compliance.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Franklin, Board of Zoning Appeals 7-3-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board denied three variance requests for 417 Forest Street — side‑setback encroachments for the principal building and an accessory appurtenance, and a reduced landscape surface area — after staff concluded the violations were self‑created and could harm neighboring properties and drainage.","taxTitle","Franklin City, Williamson County, Tennessee","taxId",4577,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6178841,"Board grants roof-pitch variance to preserve mid-century look at 109 Carolyn Avenue",940,942000,1882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0&start=942&end=1882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0/thumbnail_942000.jpg","/articles/6178841/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Board-grants-roof-pitch-variance-to-preserve-mid-century-look-at-109-Carolyn-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178841-cf7906f838aed62db627b3e0d7e3b612/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179376&Signature=Tg~dQeF87EM81yEbnczciPPh6f~aGPsuP3egz6Q-syQfb2QSCgF9STnGHP3dVR-lKKr~K8VlL7vVwhkU97SSD8ZSAJh6alHAqWDlpWxXjgM7P8xS1PiQVNvjbGjJVKv-BKwJ3ZsSi7-HmcZSoIkyGyTyJdyADrvv8EMBLjpkobiOYqwt3-OL-cfSuJUatTtxpA4PVt0nAS99BPHYk8K7vhvo~dLJzpJA5iDl6oUI1~PpRu3K8wISmE-gd9m9gz0IpVNMFP0hRHw~w2gbfH5HfFekF8kfigtdykr3RGMgS6J3XbdrwWCGyGZVyQGUc7FmeqJyTBYIJ3~4i18-28Wbwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals on July 3 approved a variance permitting a 1.5:12 roof pitch for an addition to the house at 109 Carolyn Avenue, despite staff’s recommendation to deny the request because the ordinance permits roof pitches between 3:12 and 12:12.

The decision was framed by neighbors and the applicant as an effort to preserve the mid‑century character of a neighborhood where lower-profile roofs are common.

Staff reported that the existing house (on a 0.44-acre lot) features multiple roof pitches ranging from 3:12 to 5:12 and that the zoning ordinance allows between 3:12 and 12:12 for roof pitch. Staff concluded Criteria 1 (extraordinary conditions of the lot) was not met because no condition prevents a 3:12 pitch, but that Criteria 2 (practical difficulties) and Criteria 3 (no detriment to public good) were met; staff therefore recommended denial because not all three criteria were satisfied.

The property owner and applicant argued otherwise. The owner said she and her husband had purchased 109 Carolyn to downsize and keep a mid‑century house “the way it is,” noting the lot sits high on the street and that raising the roof to meet a 3:12 pitch would be visually inconsistent. The owner said neighbors Joe Keeter and Gail and Craig Parker have similar roof profiles and supported keeping the design consistent. Architect David Ayers told the board, “Enforcing the ordinance in this case defeats the purpose of the ordinance,” arguing that the requested lower roof on the rear addition would preserve the house’s character and the street’s mid‑century profile.

Multiple neighbors spoke in support. Gail Parker, who lives across the street, said, “Please let our street stay the way it is,” describing the neighborhood’s existing character and urging the board to preserve it.

Board member Smith moved to approve the variance, emphasizing the lot’s elevated position and the street’s mid‑century character as an “extraordinary and exceptional situation or condition.” Board member Scales seconded. The vote was unanimous: Scales — approve; Langley — approve; Smith — approve; Flushauer — approve.

The approval permits the addition to use a 1.5:12 roof pitch so the house’s low profile from the street is maintained. Staff noted this is an uncommon roof‑pitch variance at the BZA level and flagged that the Historic Preservation Commission had been involved in related conversation about preserving mid‑century homes in Franklin.

","The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance to allow a 1.5:12 roof pitch for an addition at 109 Carolyn Avenue, with board members citing the street’s mid‑century character and the house’s elevated lot position.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6178846,"Board approves variance to move new house 10 feet closer to Winslow Road at 246 Miles Manor Court",633,313000,946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0&start=313&end=946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5189044-737d363f3640ae53b00a57cb62b427a0/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6178846/Franklin-City/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Board-approves-variance-to-move-new-house-10-feet-closer-to-Winslow-Road-at-246-Miles-Manor-Court","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178846-103053dd0f95f0ecdf4aedd71445b1f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179376&Signature=Gwv5lzAgzAbHWhblBaeZxYCz2eoNqfSZJnwPt~Xwc3R5ZyitMVS0eTB1fRyq-X4XEN0ftlxSNaanNR5mnY2rBSRT3x7DnxAOM9dJcM1bX0z-VSefnxc7JoKzjD-fmJe8VphcznTLoMFvnCtTsu0co4X4THNE0uikUo3be6jmoLGkUbf0aTI~GDMejmsKNdwmd5kWwDkWuEZoD~jB62~Xk5-G-197IAaqpzyLArbGRkmBkqJL7L34qODUyx0pbyjetVW-J4OgI6iheNaeI84sNjZHNe5r3CE15MN87QtIkzYrLL4j2fu6fyNU3Choofv1NSHPXMGVG8i4ANktrRPPcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals on July 3 approved a variance allowing a new single-family house at 246 Miles Manor Court to encroach 10 feet into the 25-foot front setback along Winslow Road and to permit an additional six-foot encroachment for a front porch.

The measure matters because the property sits inside both the city’s Historic Preservation Overlay and the Central Franklin overlay; board and staff testimony said strict enforcement of the 25-foot setback would produce a house too narrow to match the block face and could prevent approval by the Historic Zoning Commission.

Staff told the board the 0.21-acre corner lot has two front setbacks (31 feet along Miles Manor Court and 25 feet along Winslow Road) and, with the lot width of roughly 60 feet and a seven-foot side setback requirement, produces a buildable width of about 28 feet. Staff said the applicant has worked with the Design Review Committee and Historic Zoning Commission, attending DRC meetings in June, August and September 2024 and HCC hearings in November 2024, April 2025 and June 2025. The assistant historic preservation planner, Elizabeth Boulay, summarized DRC feedback that a house constrained to a full 25-foot setback on Winslow Road would be “as narrow as it would be required to be” and “not compatible with the neighborhood,” and that the DRC preferred a design with a 15-foot setback at the front and a deeper inset at the rear.

Andrew King of AK Designs, the applicant’s designer, told the board, “this project has been a year long process,” and said the narrower house required by the strict setback would make it “pretty hard to get [HCC] approval to build on this lot.” Staff recommended approval, finding all three variance criteria in the Franklin zoning ordinance were met: an exceptional condition caused by the corner lot with two front setbacks, practical difficulty that would prevent a contextually appropriate design, and no substantial detriment to the public good if the approved HCC design were allowed to proceed.

Board member Smith moved to approve the variance “because the criteria for granting a variance has been met,” with Scales seconding. The vote was unanimous: Scales — approve; Langley — approve; Smith — approve; Flushauer — approve. The motion as adopted authorizes the principal building to encroach 10 feet into the 25-foot front setback on Winslow Road and to allow an additional six-foot encroachment for the front porch at 246 Miles Manor Court.

The record shows the HCC’s approval of the house design (with one condition) preceded the zoning variance request; staff noted DRC recommendations are nonbinding but were influential in HCC deliberations. No member of the public spoke on this item during the public-comment period.

The board’s action allows the applicant to move forward with the HCC-approved design that places the house closer to Winslow Road than the zoning ordinance’s standard front setback.

","The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a principal building at 246 Miles Manor Court to encroach 10 feet into the 25-foot front setback on Winslow Road, with an additional six-foot porch encroachment, after staff and the Historic Zoning Commission said a narrower house would not fit the historic block face.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board denies three variances for 417 Forest Street, citing self‑created violations and neighborhood impacts

Board grants roof-pitch variance to preserve mid-century look at 109 Carolyn Avenue

Board approves variance to move new house 10 feet closer to Winslow Road at 246 Miles Manor Court