The Franklin Board of Public Works and Safety on Jan. 22 accepted a public right-of-way dedication for Monaco Drive (in the Carriage Estates subdivision) and approved multiple performance and maintenance bonds and a secondary plat for The Bluffs at Youngs Creek Section 5A.

Senior Planner Joanna Tennell explained Monaco Drive had been private and managed by a defunct homeowners association; the Community Development Department obtained a tax deed and recommended converting the parcel to public right-of-way. The board voted to accept the dedication so the city can assume maintenance responsibilities.

On the Bluffs at Youngs Creek, Assistant City Engineer Matt McElroy listed performance bonds for streets ($354,264), sidewalks ($547.20), survey monuments ($8,280) and several maintenance bonds for street signs, original control, earthwork, storm/sewer underdrains and sanitary sewers with dollar amounts listed in the meeting record. The board accepted those bonds and approved the secondary plat.

Tennell said that once the electric backbone is installed — Duke Energy for Winterfield and Johnson County REMC for the Bluffs — the city can issue foundation-only building permits and later full permits when service is energized.

What happens next: With bonds accepted and the plat recorded, developers can pursue foundation permits once utilities are in place; the city will monitor installation of the electric backbone prior to issuing full building permits.