Design Review Cheers Plans for 138 E. Central

Above, artist rendering of proposed changes to 138 East Central Street.

Franklin’s Design Review Commission met Tuesday evening with two hearings on the agenda. The first was for Taj Estates of Franklin LLC and their apartment building at 330 East Central Street. The applicant sought to install a sign with granite sign posts. After reviewing the plans and technical questions about the lighting and materials, the Commission voted to approve the plans as submitted.

The next project was a more complex review of Camford Properties’ rehab of 138 East Central Street, a one-time car dealership about a century old that has been vacant for years.

Camford sought approval on an updated façade, landscaping and parking lot as well as the construction of a small proposed addition. Principal Brad Chaffee walked the Commissioners through many aspects of the project, from its inception, prompting a wide-ranging discussion and some second-guessing about choices made.

However, when it came to voting on the three area of actual Design Review purview, there was broad agreement and a series of favorable votes.

First, regarding the facade design package as submitted, a roll-call vote produced a 3-0 in favor of accepting the plans as submitted.

On the overall site plan (layout, landscaping, etc.) a motion was made to approve as submitted but with a recommendation that plantings from the Franklin Native Plant List be selected if possible. This also passed with a 3-0 roll call vote.

Finally, a motion was made to approve the lighting plan and lighting selection as submitted by Camford with the recommendation that the lights fixtures be painted black. This also passed 3-0.

The Camford project next goes to the Planning Board on Monday.

Below, the starting point for 138 East Central