Franklin board agrees 7-1 to study annexation of nearly 494 acres along Murfreesboro Road

The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 7-1 Tuesday to advance a proposal for study that could lead to annexing 493.87 acres along Murfreesboro Road and North Chapel Road into Franklin.

The vote authorized staff to prepare a draft plan of services and further study the feasibility of annexing the property; it did not annex the land or change zoning. A motion to send the proposal to the plan-of-services stage was seconded by Alderman Brown and passed with Alderman Peterson the sole no vote.

Why it matters: The parcel—partly within the city’s urban growth boundary—covers nearly 494 acres and includes land designated in the city’s Envision Franklin plan as rural reserve, conservation design along Mays Creek and a small neighborhood-commercial node. Staff and speakers said the study is necessary to understand whether the city can extend sewer service, provide police and fire protection, and fund road and other infrastructure improvements before any annexation or development decisions.

City staff outlined the scope of what the plan-of-services study will examine. Chelsea, a city staff member presenting the report, said the request covers 493.87 acres, is noncontiguous to city limits and lies about 0.36 miles from the city boundary. She said roughly 332 acres…