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Board sets public hearing for Jan. 28 on rezoning 13.42-acre parcel to civic institutional
Summary
The board established a public hearing for Jan. 28 on Ordinance 2024-42, a request to rezone 13.42 acres from state residential to civic institutional (site at intersection of Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway); planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval.
The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Jan. 14 set a public hearing for Jan. 28 on Ordinance 2024-42, a rezoning request to change 13.42 acres from state residential to civic institutional at the southwest corner of Franklin Road and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway.
The move matters because the civic institutional zoning would permit by-right uses—including clinics, educational facilities, places of public assembly and other institutional uses—subject to site-plan approval and planning commission review.
Staff presented the request as a “straight zoning” rezoning from state residential to civic institutional and summarized the by-right uses the new district would allow once a site plan is approved by the planning commission. Planning staff noted the Planning Commission recommended approval of Ordinance 2024-42 by a 7–0 vote and staff likewise recommended approval to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The staff presentation made clear that additional reviews (including historic zoning overlay review, where applicable) remain part of the entitlement path.
Two public commenters spoke: JW Luna, who said he was appearing in a personal capacity and urged the board to defer any approvals until a detailed traffic-impact analysis addresses access and potential impacts; and Greg Gamble, who spoke on behalf of the applicant (Longings Church) and described site constraints and the applicant’s plans for access from Daniel McLellan Lane, the limits of developable acreage due to scenic-overlay and floodplain areas, and an expectation that a traffic study and third-party review would be required prior to planning commission consideration.
Gamble told the board the applicant is seeking a straight rezoning (not a planned-development with modifications) and that the developable area is closer to about 6.5 acres once scenic corridor and floodplain constraints are removed. Planning staff confirmed the property is in the historic overlay and will also need historic zoning commission review before development approvals proceed.
The board did not act to adopt a rezoning on Jan. 14; it established the public hearing on Jan. 28 to receive public testimony and allow further review.
