Franklin planning panel backs school expansion but narrows access, preserves buffer after neighbors protest

FRANKLIN, Wis. — The City of Franklin Plan Commission on Aug. 21 approved a conditional use permit and a natural‑resources special exception that allow parts of the Franklin High School expansion to move forward — including tennis courts, a practice field and parking — while limiting how the project can use adjacent woodland and a residential access road.

The commission approved the conditional use, with a 4‑1 vote, directing that the Highview Drive connection be limited to emergency vehicles and that lighting for the new tennis courts be turned off at 8 p.m. except for school‑sponsored events. The panel later approved a natural‑resources special exception, also 4‑1, that clears specific wetland and woodland impacts in exchange for mitigation and a 150‑foot setback from the east and south property lines for most new development.

The decisions came after nearly four hours of public comment and questioning from commissioners and city staff, with dozens of neighbors speaking against removing woodlands and some students, parents and school officials urging approval so the district can complete facilities funded by a citizen‑approved referendum.

Why it matters: Voters approved a roughly $145 million referendum in November 2024 that included high‑school additions and athletics. School officials say those improvements are needed to serve about 4,700 district students and to upgrade athletic and career‑technical spaces; neighbors say the plan unexpectedly calls for cutting roughly 6–8 acres of protected woodland and disturbing wetlands established under a conservation easement.

What the commission approved and limited - Conditional use: The commission approved the conditional use with the caveat that the…