Board initiates study of possible annexation in Mayes Creek Basin; staff warns major sewer, road investments needed

The Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen opened the door to further study of a large annexation in the city’s eastern urban growth boundary on Jan. 14, when staff presented a draft plan of services for about 493.87 acres near Murfreesboro Road and North Chapel Road.

The matter matters because the properties sit inside the city’s urban growth boundary but are non-contiguous to Franklin’s current limits; annexation would require major public investments—especially sewer, roads and emergency services—before full urban-level service could be provided.

Chelsea (staff member) presented the draft plan of services and noted the city’s two-stage annexation process: an initial feasibility study and plan of services followed by any formal annexation request. She told the board the properties total 493.87 acres, of which about 332 acres are designated as rural reserve in the Envision Franklin plan and roughly 133 acres lie in the 100-year floodplain or are otherwise constrained. “This property is in Mayes Creek Drainage Basin, which is identified as a mid term priority growth area per the annexation capability study,” she said, adding that the area lacks sewer infrastructure and would require significant public investment should development and annexation proceed.

Staff’s draft estimates…