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Franklin County approves rezoning for 18‑acre Awalt Drive property for single‑family subdivision
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Summary
The Franklin County Commission approved rezoning of roughly 18.02 acres on Awalt Drive from Agricultural to R‑1 Single‑Family Residential after a public hearing. Tom Farrar, the applicant, said he plans about 17 single‑family lots; neighbors raised septic and access questions.
Chairman Chris Guess opened the March 20 Franklin County Commission meeting with a public hearing on a rezoning request for property on Awalt Drive.
Tom Farrar, the property owner and applicant, asked the commission to rezone approximately 18.02 acres (Franklin County Property Map No. 63, Parcel 35.05) from A (Agricultural) to R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential) to allow a 17‑lot residential subdivision with lots in the range Farrar described as 1 to 1.5 acres. Farrar said he is new to the construction business and told the commission he lives locally in the Hopkins Point/Winchester area.
Planning staff and the Franklin County Regional Planning Commission recommended approval. The staff report described access on Awalt Drive, a six‑inch water line along Awalt Drive and the nearest fire hydrant about 3,366 feet north of the parcel. The staff memo characterized the site as rolling and mostly open with wooded edges and said the proposal is generally consistent with nearby residential subdivisions.
Neighbor Edward Stephens spoke during the hearing with questions and concerns about impacts to the road and septic; commissioners also questioned Farrar about his construction background and the project’s utilities. Commissioner David Eldridge moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Bruce D. McMillan seconded. Commissioner William Anderson recorded opposition on the voice vote, which carried.
The commission received the Planning Department’s conditions and noted the parcel’s location near existing subdivisions Hopkins Point, Hidden Cove and Fanning Bend. The staff record and maps are on file with the Planning & Zoning Department.
What’s next: Approval changes the zoning designation for the parcel; any future subdivision plat, road‑construction or utility extensions will be subject to the county’s subdivision and permitting requirements, including surety/bonding and conditions established by the Planning Commission and Public Works.
Attribution: Tom Farrar is the owner/applicant; Edward Stephens spoke as an adjoining property owner. Commissioner David Eldridge moved the approval; Bruce D. McMillan seconded. County Planning Director/Building Commissioner Janet Petrunich provided the staff report.