Commission approves Mansford Road rezoning after applicant submits drainage plan; neighbors raise run-off concerns

The Franklin County Commission approved a rezoning request Oct. 19 that will allow commercial uses on a roughly 5.13-acre portion of Map 63 Parcel 38.00 on Mansford Road (TN State Route 476), where the applicant has proposed a boat-storage facility.

The item was previously tabled at the regional planning commission so the applicant could provide a drainage study and revise the rezoning boundary. At the county-level meeting planners and commissioners emphasized drainage and access as conditions to be resolved before any commercial operations.

Planning staff’s position and public comment Planning director Janet Petrunich told the planning body that drainage would be addressed during plot‑plan review and that implementation of the drainage plan would be required before commercial uses could begin. Petitioning neighbors and nearby property owners, including a Mr. Boswell, objected to the proposed footprint and expressed concern about how runoff would affect their properties.

Commission action and requirements Commissioner Greg King moved to approve the rezoning; the motion passed by roll-call vote (AYES: 10; NAYS: 5). Meeting minutes and staff memos show the planning commission recommended the rezoning after the applicant provided a revised survey and a drainage/grading plan prepared by a consulting engineer; staff had earlier recommended denial pending reconfiguration because the original rezoning footprint included an existing residence.

Next steps: plot‑plan, TDOT access and permits The approval changes the zoning classification but does not by itself authorize construction. Planning staff noted that a TDOT permit would be required for any new access onto the state highway, and that plot‑plan drainage measures must be implemented before commercial activity starts. If construction disturbs more than one acre, state stormwater permits will be required and may trigger further environmental review.