Franklin County awards workforce-housing contract, approves industrial rezoning and property sale; commercial rezoning fails
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Summary
At its July 30 meeting the Franklin County Fiscal Court awarded a sole-bid contract to Winterwood Development LLC to build workforce housing on county-owned property at 501 Holmes Street, approved rezoning of 190 Democrat Drive to General Industrial, and awarded a purchase to Duckers Lake Development for Tract 5B; a proposed rezoning for 1120 Duckers Road failed.
Franklin County Fiscal Court voted July 30 to advance multiple land-use and development actions, including awarding a contract for workforce housing and approving an industrial rezoning.
The court unanimously awarded the sole bid for development of workforce housing on county-owned property at 501 Holmes Street to Winterwood Development LLC. Squire Kelly Dycus moved the award, and Squire Mike Harrod seconded; the motion passed with all present voting in favor. The court did not specify contract price or a construction schedule in the public motion.
The court also voted unanimously to award the purchase of Tract 5B, a parcel identified at 67 Buena Vista Drive, to Duckers Lake Development Phase 1 LLC, the lone bidder; the approval included authorization to include the property appraisal in the transaction. Squire J.W. Blackburn moved the award, seconded by Squire Eric Whisman.
On zoning, the court approved second reading of Ordinance #7-2025 to rezone a 5.00-acre portion of property at 190 Democrat Drive (PVA Map Number 087-00-00-042.00) from Professional Office (PO) to General Industrial (IG). The motion, made by Squire J.W. Blackburn and seconded by Squire Mike Harrod, passed unanimously.
A separate motion to approve second reading and rezoning of a 1.75-acre tract at 1120 Duckers Road from Rural Residential (RR) to General Commercial (CG) failed. The transcript records the motion failed with seven opposing votes.
First reading was given for a proposed zoning ordinance covering multiple large parcels at 5700-5930 U.S. 127 South, 6238 U.S. 127 South, and 2024 Keaton Lane; no final action was taken. A later motion to amend the agenda to hold a hearing on those U.S. 127/Keaton Lane parcels did not pass (three in favor, four opposed).
The court’s actions leave in place the approved industrial zoning at 190 Democrat Drive and move the workforce housing project into a development phase pending contract details. The Duckers Lake sale advances a property transfer; the failed Duckers Road rezoning preserves its prior designation pending any future application.
Next steps: the workforce-housing award and property sale will proceed under the county’s procurement and contracting processes; the court did not provide dates for final contracts or building permits.