Franklin board approves rezoning and development plan for Cool Springs Galleria; several related contracts pass

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on March 2025 approved an ordinance rezoning 86.52 acres at the Cool Springs Galleria and a related revised development plan, and it approved contracts tied to the project including a public-private partnership for roadway and ramp improvements and a parkland impact-fee and construction agreement.

City staff presented the rezoning request — Ordinance 2024-22 — for property west of Interstate 65 and south of Bakersbridge Avenue at 1800 Galleria Boulevard. Planning staff described the request as a plan district with entitlements of 6.94 dwelling units per acre, 1,659,584 square feet of nonresidential space and 120 hotel rooms and said the proposal aligns with the city’s Envision Franklin regional commerce policies. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and of Resolution 2024-70, the revised PUD development plan, but recommended approval of the plan with conditions because the plan “does not demonstrate the larger guiding principle of exceptional design” and provides only…