Fairview board approves three rezonings and industrial project; Old Franklin rezoning fails after public opposition

The Fairview Board of Commissioners on Nov. 6 approved several rezoning requests and an industrial development while rejecting a contested Old Franklin Road rezoning that drew sustained public comment.

The board approved an ordinance (2025‑20) rezoning a roughly 111.66‑acre parcel south of Fairview Boulevard from RS‑40 to RS‑10 (four votes in favor, one opposed). It also approved rezoning 1550 Highway 96 North (a 7.26‑acre parcel) from RS‑40 to Industrial General for a proposed roughly 50,000‑square‑foot light industrial/flex building (unanimous). Two other rezoning requests on the agenda — a 3.73‑acre parcel at 7111 Harrison Drive (rezoned to RS‑10) and a 3.17‑acre parcel at 7104 Hall Road (rezoned to RS‑15) — passed with recorded votes of 5–0 and 4–1, respectively. In consent business the board approved Resolution 59‑25 authorizing a license agreement to allow a state kiosk in City Hall; staff clarified the kiosk remains state property and the city’s obligations are limited to providing space and utilities.

The most contested item was a proposed rezoning of about 10.07 acres south of Old Franklin Road from RS‑40 to a denser residential district. Residents and property owners spoke at length about potential erosion and runoff into springs and Overby Branch, the capacity and design of Old Franklin and Overbey roads, sidewalks and school access, and preservation of the area’s rural character. Commissioner Hall moved to postpone the decision to await the new zoning ordinance; that 90‑day postponement failed on a 4–1 vote, and the subsequent vote on the rezoning failed 4–1, with Vice Mayor McDonald the lone affirmative vote.

Planning staff explained that stormwater, hydrologic and wetland reviews would be required for any future development on the parcels and that TDEC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would review hydraulic/hydrologic reports and wetland determinations as part of permitting. Several applicants said conceptual designs and buffering or sidewalk plans would be developed during the engineering and site‑plan phases required after annexation and rezoning.

The board also adjusted its 2026 meeting schedule (removing the Jan. 1 meeting, shifting July dates to avoid July 3 events and canceling the Dec. 31 town hall) and heard community announcements including a blanket drive, Veterans Day program details and storm alerts.

Votes at a glance • Ordinance 2025‑20 (rezoning, ~111.66 acres south of Fairview Boulevard, RS‑40 → RS‑10): APPROVED, 4–1. • Ordinance 2025‑21 (Old Franklin Road, ~10.07 acres, RS‑40 → proposed denser residential): DENIED, 1–4. • Ordinance 2025‑22 (1550 Highway 96 North, ~7.26 acres, RS‑40 → Industrial General): APPROVED, 5–0. • Ordinance 2025‑23 (7111 Harrison Drive, ~3.73 acres, RS‑40 → RS‑10): APPROVED, 5–0. • Ordinance 2025‑24 (7104 Hall Road, ~3.17 acres, RS‑40 → RS‑15): APPROVED, 4–1. • Resolution 59‑25 (license agreement permitting state kiosk in City Hall): APPROVED, 5–0.

What happens next Planning staff and applicants said successful rezonings will proceed to engineering and site‑plan review, including stormwater management and any required buffering. Where applicants proposed sidewalks, the board and staff said they would work with developers and pursue grant opportunities where feasible. The failed Old Franklin rezoning remains at the petitioner’s option to refile under the current or future zoning code.

— Reporting from the Nov. 6, 2025, Fairview Board of Commissioners meeting; vote records and public comments as recorded in the meeting transcript.