Neighbors urge Franklin Public Schools to limit tree and wetland clearing in Franklin Forward plan

Neighbors and students filled the public comment portion of the Franklin Board of Education meeting on Aug. 13 to press the district over changes to the Franklin Forward high‑school site plan that they say would remove conserved woodland and wetlands and increase traffic in adjacent neighborhoods.

"I voted yes for the referendum and fully support the changes originally proposed, including the addition of tennis courts. However, on June 19, new drawings were released showing the complete removal of 8 acres of protected forest and wetlands," said Shelley Brockdown, who identified her address for the record and said the land had been protected by a conservation easement signed by the district about 10 years ago.

Residents asked why the district did not contact the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before showing plans that, neighbors say, would alter wetland areas. Brenda Peterson read language from the conservation easement and said the document runs "in perpetuity," adding she had filed a complaint with the DNR about the wetlands that would be disturbed.

District staff and consultants responded with a detailed update. Dr. Brennan (district administrator) introduced the Franklin Forward team including Mike Hacker of Cadence Consulting and representatives from CD Smith and PRA. The district described an iterative design process since the referendum passed and said the most recent site plan reduces the number of tennis courts from earlier versions and shifts courts and parking away from lot lines.

"We reduced the courts to 10 and removed future courts to the east," Dr. Brennan said, and presenters said the plan seeks to preserve 1.4 acres of woodland within the impacted area and includes a mitigation and compensation strategy coordinated with the city.

Consultants said stormwater design and grading comply with city engineer reviews and DNR standards and that a formal tree study was completed to inventory vegetation; they emphasized that some trees marked on site were part of the inventory process and not a removal marking. Contractors described a planned on‑site laydown area for heavy equipment that will be stripped of gravel and restored and said all large deliveries will come via Ryan Road to 51st Street, not 47th Street.

While students and parents argued that at least 10 courts are needed to support varsity, junior varsity and PE programming, neighbors urged that the access road at High View be limited to emergency access and that a conservation agreement be renewed to protect remaining woodlands. Board members and staff acknowledged the emotional and practical balance and said the project team had made adjustments based on neighbor feedback.

The district told the board the project is scheduled for the Planning Commission review on Aug. 21 and potentially the Common Council on Sept. 2; presenters cautioned that delays at the city level could force redesigns or program reductions and push out timelines but said referendum budget limits prevent exceeding voter‑approved totals.

The board did not take formal action on the site plan at the Aug. 13 meeting; staff said they would continue to engage with neighbors and the city as the project moves through required municipal reviews.