Plan Commission recommends text amendments to Franklins Unified Development Ordinance to clarify setbacks, permits and shoreland setback

The City of Franklin Plan Commission on Sept. 18 recommended that the Common Council approve a citywide text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to correct drafting errors and clarify application and permit procedures.

Planning staff said the changes respond to issues discovered during the first month of implementation of the revised UDO approved in May. The amendment, which covers articles 2 through 9 of the UDO, would clarify setback rules for decks and patios, add a 75-foot setback from ordinary high water marks, set expiration dates for variances, create a clear process for home-based business permits and correct omissions in temporary-use and sign tables.

Mister Martinez, Department of City Development staff, told the commission the changes are primarily technical and intended to mirror existing practice while removing ambiguities. He said, "With the new UDO, we added a revision a provision that says that decks may project 10 feet into the setbacks," but that the amendment restores the prior approach so permitted decks will not be…