The Franklin Municipal Planning Commission on May 22 voted to recommend that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve Resolution 2025-37 to extend the vesting period for the Eastworks District Planned Unit Development at 9009 Carothers Parkway by 18 months, from July 14, 2025, to Jan. 14, 2027.

Staff told the commission the extension is intended to allow the applicant to secure necessary permits and commence site preparation. Planning staff said the Eastworks development plan was approved July 14, 2020, and that, if the vesting period lapses, the project entitlements would cease and stop-work orders could be issued. "This request is to extend the vesting period by 18 months ... to allow the applicant to secure any necessary permits and commence site preparation," planning staff said.

The plan the staff described includes a mix of hotel, residential, retail, office and multifamily uses; staff said the approved plan included up to about one million square feet of existing and proposed nonresidential space, including up to 605 hotel rooms and nine townhomes, with buildings ranging from one to 12 stories. Staff said the project had seven modification-of-standards requests, six sign modification requests and one multifamily building-type modification. Staff also noted that administrative approvals have been made for the first section (site plan approved August 2023) and for off-site roadway improvements on Carothers Parkway at Mayfield Drive (approved February 2023). Planning staff said sewer capacity had been accounted for in water-management models and that any new plan would require a parkland agreement and a traffic impact offset agreement.

Kyle McGavin, the applicant, told the commission he and his team remain committed to the project. "We're really excited about this project," McGavin said. He added the requested 18 months "could give us the amount of time we need to make this reality and bring this exciting project to the community." Staff recommended approval with conditions.

The commission voted to send a recommendation of approval to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Commissioner votes recorded as present and voting aye were: Commissioner Harrison (aye), Commissioner Allen (aye), Commissioner Franks (aye), Commissioner Orr (aye), Commissioner McLemore (aye), Commissioner Williamson (aye) and Alderman Peterson (aye). Commissioners Lindsey and Mann were absent. The recommendation passed.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider Resolution 2025-37; the commission did not set a date for that Board action during the meeting.