In a recent joint workshop held by the City of Franklin's FMPC and BOMA, discussions centered on proposed amendments to the Envision Franklin plan, particularly concerning height allowances for a new development at 926 Columbia Avenue. The proposed changes aim to increase the height restrictions for buildings in the area, which has sparked a debate among city staff and the applicant.

The applicant is seeking to amend the existing special consideration to allow for three key changes: increasing the height allowance along Columbia Avenue from two to three stories, raising the interior height allowance from three to four stories, and adjusting the height along Plaza Street adjacent to the police station from two to three stories. While the applicant argues that these changes are necessary for the development's viability, city staff expressed reservations about two of the three requests.

City staff's primary concern is that the proposed height increases do not align with the intended character of the area, which is viewed as a transition zone to a less dense CAO 2 overlay zoning district. They believe that the current special consideration reflects this vision and that the proposed changes could disrupt the established zoning framework. However, staff did acknowledge that amending the height allowance along Plaza Street could be appropriate, citing a disconnect between existing neighborhood mixed-use height restrictions and the zoning ordinance.

The workshop also highlighted concerns regarding the overall height of the proposed structure along Columbia Avenue. The applicant's plans indicate a significant variation in first-floor heights, which could lead to a building reaching approximately 53 feet tall, comparable to a proposed four-story hotel on the site. This raised alarms among staff about maintaining a consistent architectural profile in the area.

As the discussions progressed, the applicant, represented by Mike Hathaway of 906 Studio Architects, expressed their vision for the development and its potential benefits to the community. The workshop concluded with an invitation for further feedback from city officials and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of balancing development needs with community character and zoning regulations.

This meeting underscores the ongoing dialogue in Franklin regarding urban development and the challenges of accommodating growth while preserving the city's unique character. As the city navigates these complex issues, the outcome of this proposal could set a precedent for future developments in the area.