Homeowner says cedar-shake roof 'a surprise' as DRC flags retroactive work at 121 Miles Manor

Homeowner and applicant representatives told the Franklin Design Review Committee (DRC) that they installed cedar shake roofing and new wood windows on a historic-appearing house at 121 Miles Manor Court without a certificate of appropriateness, prompting extended discussion about whether the changes align with the city's guidelines.

Elizabeth, a city staff member, told the committee that the "proposed entrance alterations and completed roofing alteration do not align with the guidelines" and that the roofing change was retroactive — installed without prior DRC approval. The applicant (speaker 12) said they were surprised by the process and repeated that they would not have made the investment if they had known it conflicted with the guidelines. "It was 5 times the price of the shingle roof that we had quoted," the applicant said, describing the cost of the cedar-shake material.

Commissioners focused on whether the cedar shake could be shown to be a historically appropriate material for that particular structure. Multiple members suggested researching Sanborn maps, insurance records, or historic photographs. The chair said the DRC's guidance is to "maintain what you have" unless documentary evidence indicates a different historic condition. Several commissioners emphasized that if the applicant can produce reliable evidence that the original roof was shake, the commission may be more receptive to approval.

The meeting also identified a permit discrepancy: the COA previously issued authorized replacement of select windows, but the building permit had been used to replace all windows on the structure. Commissioners urged the applicant to bring photographic documentation of the original windows and any other supporting materials to the upcoming historic zoning voting meeting, which will consider whether to approve or deny the retroactive alterations.