The City of Franklin's Board of Zoning Appeals convened on July 3, 2025, to discuss two significant variance requests impacting local residential properties. The first request involved a proposed addition to a home at 109 Carolyn Avenue, where the applicant sought a variance to allow a roof pitch of 1.5:12, significantly lower than the zoning ordinance requirement of a minimum pitch of 3:12.

The property, situated in an R-4 residential district, is characterized by mid-century architecture. The applicant argued that the lower roof pitch would maintain the existing aesthetic of the home and neighborhood, which features similar roof styles. However, city staff recommended denial of the variance, stating that the first criterion for granting a variance was not met, as there were no unique conditions preventing compliance with the ordinance. Staff did acknowledge that the strict application of the ordinance posed practical difficulties for the design of the addition, which was a point of contention during the meeting.

The applicant and their architect presented their case, emphasizing the unique elevation of the lot and the desire to preserve the mid-century character of the home. They argued that enforcing the ordinance would detract from the neighborhood's historical integrity. Several neighbors voiced their support for the variance, highlighting the importance of maintaining the architectural consistency of the area.

Despite the compelling arguments from the applicant and community members, the Board ultimately voted to approve the variance request, citing the unique characteristics of the property and the need to preserve the neighborhood's character.

The second variance request involved a property at 417 Forest Street, where the owner sought to address multiple zoning violations related to setbacks and landscape surface area. The existing house and accessory structures were built without adhering to the approved building permit, leading to encroachments into required setbacks. The owner requested variances to allow these encroachments and to reduce the minimum landscape surface area from 40% to 26%.

City staff outlined the history of the property, detailing the timeline of inspections and the owner's attempts to rectify the situation. The board discussed the implications of granting these variances, considering the potential impact on neighborhood aesthetics and compliance with zoning regulations.

As the meeting concluded, the board's decisions on both variance requests underscored the ongoing challenges of balancing individual property rights with community standards in Franklin. The outcomes reflect a commitment to preserving the unique character of the city's residential areas while navigating the complexities of zoning regulations.