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Board grants setback variance for badminton facility at 1268 Lewisburg Pike
Summary
The board approved a 10‑foot increase to the maximum front setback so a proposed badminton facility can be located outside wetland buffers on the 5.79‑acre site at 1268 Lewisburg Pike; staff said a stormwater variance will also be required.
The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously June 5 to approve a variance allowing a principal building to be located 55 feet from the front lot line at 1268 Lewisburg Pike, 10 feet beyond the zoning district’s 45‑foot maximum setback.
Steph, a city planning staff member, told the board the 5.79‑acre site contains an existing preschool and parking, and that Five Mile Creek and its wetland buffers take up a large portion of the lot. To avoid impacting wetlands and buffers, the applicant proposes relocating a new badminton facility farther back on the lot; staff said the submitted concept plan and the applicant’s coordination with city stormwater staff make this the minimum necessary deviation. Staff also noted the project will require a stormwater variance before proceeding.
Drake Reeder, the applicant’s landscape architect and land planner with Gamble Design Collaborative, said the design aims to preserve wetlands, buffers and the stream and to place parking behind the building to maintain a street‑facing presence. “We are trying to fit within the zoning ordinance as best as possible,” Reeder said, and that the 55‑foot placement is the single deviation needed to preserve the wetland areas.
Board members asked about the ordinance’s intent to promote walkable, street‑oriented development; staff said neighborhood commercial zoning typically anticipates buildings close to the street to support pedestrian activity, though this lot is more rural in character. Staff explained sidewalks and walkability are often built as areas develop.
Board member Smith moved to approve and Board member Scales seconded. The roll call vote was Beams: approve; Scales: approve; Langley: approve; Smith: approve; Flushauer: approve. The variance approval allows the applicant to proceed with design work that will also require a stormwater variance and final engineering review before building permits are issued.
