Plan commission approves Envision Franklin amendment for 354 Franklin Road but preserves Area C in conservation

The Franklin Municipal Planning Commission on Sept. 25 approved a revision to the Envision Franklin conservation design concept for property at 354 Franklin Road (Map 063, Parcel 02800), with one explicit condition: the boundary of Area C will not be amended and will remain in the conservation overlay.

Staff presented the request as an amendment to the conservation design concept for a roughly 202-acre site that currently has about 122 acres designated conservation; staff said the applicant’s proposal would place approximately 113 acres in conservation, a net reduction of about 8.52 acres. The applicant sought amendments to four areas of the site (labeled Areas A, B, C and D). Staff recommended approval of the amendment with the single condition that Area C not be reduced from conservation because of concerns over existing forested canopy, steep slopes and potential impacts to viewsheds along Mack Hatcher Parkway.

Planning staff described the site as prominently located between Franklin Road and Cool Springs Boulevard adjacent to Roper’s Knob, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Staff said Area A (about 1.4 acres) would be added into conservation to protect a historic stone wall and tree buffer near Ash Drive; Area B (about 7 acres) and Area D (about 2.48 acres) were proposed for removal from the conservation overlay; and Area C (about 1 acre) was the focus of staff concern and public comment because it contains intact forest canopy and affects visible hillsides.

One resident, Elaine Harrison, who identified herself as living at 322 S Drive and described herself as “the project a that they're talking about,” spoke in opposition and said she opposed the various proposals the applicant has advanced over the years. The applicant’s representative, Greg Gamble, outlined the applicant’s mapping and slope analysis, noting LIDAR-based two-foot contour intervals and saying the proposal follows contour lines, existing tree canopy and the HHO guiding principles. Gamble said Area A would provide a wider preserved buffer along the historic stone wall and that other adjustments follow tree lines and contour elevations.

After questions and clarifications from commissioners about which areas staff supported, Commissioner Harrison moved to approve the resolution with the staff-recommended condition that Area C remain unchanged; Commissioner Allen seconded. The motion passed by roll call vote with all commissioners present and Alderman Peterson voting yes.

Staff noted that any future rezoning or development applications for the site would need to provide conceptual layout, height, massing and architectural information to allow a full assessment of consistency with Envision Franklin. The planning commission’s action on Sept. 25 amends the policy-level conservation boundary as described and preserves Area C from the requested reduction.