Louisburg council approves PDD amendment to add West Johnson Street for Franklin County judicial complex

The Louisburg Town Council on June 17, 2025, voted to amend the town's Planned Development District (PDD) map to include the closed portion of West Johnson Street and a 0.99-acre parcel identified by Franklin County parcel 031340045646 to accommodate the Franklin County Judicial Complex.

The amendment, advanced after a public hearing, is intended to allow the county to consolidate and modernize judicial services downtown. Town Manager Scott said the new complex is designed to meet the county's needs for the foreseeable future and that the PDD change "sets the baseline for what roles the county must adhere to, in seeking further approvals."

William Powell, who identified himself as a nearby property owner and said his wife is Timani R. Anderson Powell, told the council he supports the rezoning and offered his adjacent parcel to the county. "We would like to formally state our willingness to sell the entire parcel — $1,000,000 — I am prepared to engage properly in good faith negotiations with the county or its authorized representatives," Powell said during public comment.

County and town staff described the project as a long-term investment in judicial infrastructure and downtown economic activity. Town Manager Scott said earlier courthouses dated to 1850 and the town's existing annexes have limited capacity; the current complex plan aims to serve the county for "a 30, 40 year time frame." Planning staff noted the proposed PDD will add design standards above the town's existing Unified Development Ordinance, including masonry requirements, sign limits and mechanical screening in the affected area.

Officials and staff clarified that approval of the PDD amendment is a zoning action only; the county will still need to complete site-plan review, obtain utility and construction approvals, and secure any necessary state permits. County representatives told the council that the project's security features, including a sally port, depend on a roughly 30-foot portion of the former West Johnson Street right-of-way that currently encroaches on Powell's property. A county representative said the project team has discussed driveway and right-of-way issues with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and that further coordination will be required.

Councilman Stowe, speaking during the hearing, urged the council to keep the judicial center downtown and emphasized the facility's role in routine civic business: "A large amount of the activity that goes on in the judicial complex has nothing to do with criminals. There is an extensive amount of activity that involves ordinary citizens such as ourselves. It is a necessary structure," he said, adding that while he had been an opponent of closing West Johnson Street, he now views the proposal as a workable compromise.

During the public hearing, the planning board's unanimous recommendation for approval was noted. After public comment and staff discussion, a council member moved to approve the PDD amendment as consistent with the Lewisburg comprehensive plan 2030 and in the public interest; the motion was seconded and the council approved the amendment.

Next steps identified by staff include preparation and review of a detailed site plan, coordination with the town's utilities and any third-party engineers for water, sewer and stormwater approvals, and separate permitting with NCDOT for any changes affecting state-maintained rights-of-way. County staff and the property owner will need to negotiate acquisition of the small parcel of right-of-way that overlaps with the Powell property before site construction can proceed.

No formal vote tally by name was recorded in the meeting transcript; the council announced the amendment had been approved at the meeting.

The PDD amendment affects downtown Louisburg and is intended to support Franklin County's plan to consolidate court functions in a single modern facility. The council closed the public hearing and then voted to adopt the amendment.