Consultants present draft 'Franklin Forward' comprehensive plan; zoning updates expected by mid‑November

Consultants from EHI reported to a joint meeting of the Franklin City Commission and Simpson County Fiscal Court on Oct. 17, 2023, presenting a draft comprehensive plan compiled from community conversations, surveys, advisory committee meetings and social media.

Ryan Holmes said the plan — prepared to cover roughly twenty years — is more accurately labeled Franklin Forward 2045 given the elapsed time since initial data collection. Ed Holmes and Ryan Holmes said Simpson County is included in the planning area. The consultants acknowledged that some data do not reflect the most recent census counts.

Ed Holmes emphasized that future land use and growth hinge on infrastructure: availability of water, sewer and roads. He noted that Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) require a land‑use map and five‑year updates. The consultants told officials they expect to deliver recommended updates to zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations by mid‑November and to present a complete compilation at a final public meeting on Nov. 30.

City Manager Kenton Powell and other officials who attended early planning meetings were listed among those who participated in the plan development. The transcript references attachments with more detailed reports and the consultants’ data.

Next steps in the transcript: consultants will finalize the compiled plan and present it to both city and county governments at the Nov. 30 final public meeting; recommended ordinance language and subdivision regulation updates are expected to follow the consultant timetable.